19 views

Oct. 23, 2025, 4:47 PM EDT / Updated Oct. 23, 2025, 5:04 PM EDTBy Jake Lubbehusen and Corky SiemaszkoThe death of American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky may have been the result of a drug overdose and is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to a police report released Thursday.The revelation came as some of the world’s top chess players gathered in the San Franscisco Bay Area to bid farewell to the 29-year-old grandmaster, who was found unconscious earlier this week at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina.His older brother, Alan Naroditsky, said in a statement that “his death is a huge loss to us all.” “To the world, Daniel is the chess grandmaster, passionate commentator, and the gifted educator who we know and love,” it said. “To me, he is all of those things — but he will always be Danya, my little brother.”The elder Naroditsky said as children they were “inseparable” and they shared a passion for the Golden State Warriors basketball team, as well as “trading puns and our massive repertoire of inside jokes.””He was my best friend, and one of the best human beings I have ever known,” his statement read. Naroditsky’s death outraged his supporters in the chess world, who said he’d been accused of cheating during matches and bullied relentlessly by Vladimir Kramnik, a former world chess champion he once idolized and who has accused many other players of cheating in online play.Chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik competes in London in 2013.Oli Scarff / Getty Images fileThe bare bones report released by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department states that Naroditsky was found dead on Sunday evening and describes the focus of the probe as a “Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation.””On Sunday October 19th at approximately 07:11pm officers responded to an assist medic call in the area of 9000 Colin crossing,” the report states. “Upon arrival an unresponsive subject was located and later pronounced deceased by a medic.”Naroditsky’s funeral took place a day after the World Chess Federation (FIDE) announced it would investigate whether Kramnik should be disciplined for the disparaging public statements he made “before and after the tragic death” of Naroditsky.”Depending on the circumstances and the findings, there is a broad array of possible sanctions, from financial penalties to a ban,” a spokesperson said in an email Thursday to NBC News. “The decision lies entirely with the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission, which is independent of the FIDE President and the Board.”Kramnik, 50, in email exchanges with NBC News, has insisted that he has been the “subject of a bullying and slandering PR campaign,” as well as ongoing threats to him and his family.There was no immediate response from Kramnik when NBC reached out to him about the latest development.In a post Thursday on X, Kramnik wrote that he has “contacted the Charlotte police Department and asked them to investigate the death of Daniel, providing them some additional info.”Naroditsky, a child prodigy who became one of the most influential American voices in the sport, was found earlier this week unconscious on a sofa by his friends, grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk and Peter Giannatos, founder of the Charlotte Chess Center.”I found him dead in his house,” an emotional Bortnyk said in an online video this week. “I came to check on him with Peter, the Director of Charlotte Center, and our mutual friend. We came together to check, because he wasn’t answering. And we found him dead on the couch.”Bortnyk said he spoke to his friend “Danya” a few days before he died. He said Naroditsky was “very sad about this situation with Kramnik.””He never f—–g cheated in his life,” Bortnyk said of his friend. “Never.”The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky trained and worked as a coach, announced on social media Monday that he had died and called him “a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community.”If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.Jake LubbehusenCorky SiemaszkoCorky Siemaszko is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital.

- Latest News - October 23, 2025

The death of American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky may have been the result of a drug overdose and is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to a police report.

TAGS:
20 views

Savewith a NBCUniversal ProfileCreate your free profile or log in to save this articleOct. 23, 2025, 3:34 PM EDTBy Doha MadaniFormer NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones is accused of taking part in a sports betting scandal in which he apparently gave away non-public information about Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Jones was named in an unsealed indictment Thursday as part of a widespread gambling investigation that federal officials have dubbed Operation Nothing But Bet. The indictment, filed in the U.S. District of Court of Eastern District of New York, accused six suspects of participating in a scheme to defraud betting companies. Two incidents from the indictment suggest that Jones tipped off his alleged conspirators to injuries involving James and Davis before the information was made public. In February 2023, Jones was either a teammate or coach of the player, unnamed, while Jones played on the Cleveland Cavaliers and later coached for the Lakers, the indictment said.That relationship allowed him access to “non-public information” about that player’s medical status on Feb. 9, 2023, when the Lakers were playing the Milwaukee Bucks, it continued.Jones allegedly texted his co-conspirator that the player would be out that night and to “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” according to the indictment.LeBron James, power forward for the Lakers, was out that night due to a sore left ankle and foot, according to a game recap. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Damon Jones greet each other before a playoff game on April 28, 2023.Adam Pantozzi / NBAE via Getty Images fileIt’s unclear how much money Jones potentially received for the tip, but the Bucks did defeat the Lakers that night. Jones also allegedly sold other nonpublic information about a Lakers player to conspirators that led to a $100,000 bet against the team during a Jan. 15, 2024, game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.According to the indictment, Jones gave away information about an athlete identified only as Player 4 being injured before the game. The information was not public at the time and the bet was made hours before the player was listed as “probable” in the NBA’s injury report.Anthony Davis was the only Lakers player listed as probable on the injury report from that day.“Ultimately, Player 4 played in the January 15 Game in line with his season average in minutes and performed well, and the Lakers won the game,” the indictment said.Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers plays against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Jan. 15, 2024.Ronald Martinez / Getty Images fileJones allegedly received $2,500 through a “peer-to-peer mobile payment” after providing the tip. The former NBA star has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It’s unclear whether Jones has retained an attorney. Jones was arrested Thursday but court records do not yet list an appearance date for him.Doha MadaniDoha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.Andrew Greif contributed.

- Latest News - October 23, 2025

Former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones apparently gave away non-public information about Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis as part of an alleged sports gambling.

TAGS: