Just a few days ago, the chess world was shaken by heartbreaking news: Daniel Naroditsky, only 29 years old, has passed away. Although the exact circumstances have not yet been fully confirmed, all signs point to a mental health crisis behind the tragedy. This loss hit especially hard because Daniel wasn’t just an exceptional chess player, he was an inspiring teacher, commentator, and a voice of calm intelligence who motivated and uplifted others. But this story is not really about mental strength. It’s about how we support one another as friends, mentors, colleagues, and coaches in creating an ecosystem where people can express themselves honestly and safely.

It’s Not Only About IQ, It’s About EQ

Chess has always been seen as a game of logic, strategy, and high IQ. But it should also be about emotional intelligence, not only for the player, but for everyone around them. There is, unfortunately, a lot of direct and indirect bullying in the chess world, both online and offline. That’s why it’s so important that friends, family members, and coaches make themselves available to listen, to empathize, and to help others navigate moments of emotional stress and uncertainty. As a mentor, I have seen this many times. Once, before an important tournament, one of my students was so tense that I realized more opening preparation wouldn’t help at all. So instead, we put the chessboard aside and went boxing. Not to train aggression, but to release the pressure he was carrying inside. That one hour of physical movement did more for his mental balance than any amount of theory ever could. Sometimes, support means helping someone reconnect with their own calm. A true mentor is not only someone who teaches how to win but someone who teaches how to stay human when the world becomes too heavy.

We Don’t Need to Talk Only About Strength, But About Support

After a tragedy, people often look for someone or something to blame. They talk about the event or the person that might have “triggered” the mental health crisis. But the real question is: why didn’t we reach out earlier? why didn’t we extend a hand, a call, or a few honest words of solidarity when it mattered most?

Photo: ChessBase