FIDE is naming its inaugural Best Creator Award after Daniel Naroditsky, the GM who died in October 2025. The chess world lost one of its most gifted communicators. Danya built something rare: he was simultaneously a strong player, a masterful educator, and a streamer who made chess feel accessible to everyone watching.
His streams weren't lectures delivered from on high. He played, he talked, he invited people in. That blend of elite knowledge and genuine warmth made him stand out in a crowded content space. He showed that you could be both serious about chess and genuinely fun to watch.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced plans for a memorial prize shortly after Naroditsky's death. This award naming honors that commitment. The Best Creator Award will recognize the people continuing what Danya embodied. excellence in chess education and content creation.
The loss still reverberates through the community. Streamers, players, and fans continue to speak about his impact. He didn't just create content. He created a culture where new players felt welcomed, where hard work was celebrated, and where curiosity about chess mattered more than ego.
This award carries his name forward. It ensures that his approach to chess, his philosophy that the game belongs to everyone willing to learn, shapes how the community recognizes and rewards creators in the years ahead.