Toxicology report says late US chess star Daniel Naroditsky had drugs in his system

"A toxicology report obtained from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shows that Naroditsky had methamphetamine, amphetamine, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in his system at the time of death. The latter two compounds are the primary psychoactive ingredients in kratom, a plant-based supplement that can act as a stimulant or sedative depending on dosage. Methamphetamine and amphetamine are synthetic stimulants that can cause severe cardiovascular strain, organ damage and fatal overdoses."

"Naroditsky was discovered unconscious by two of his close friends, Oleksandr Bortnyk, a fellow grandmaster, and Peter Giannatos, founder of the Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky served as head coach and grandmaster-in-residence. Bortnyk said he went to check on Naroditsky after repeated calls and messages went unanswered. After Daniel Naroditsky's death, Bortnyk said his friend had been deeply distressed in the days beforehand, particularly over a public dispute with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, whom Naroditsky had once admired."

Daniel Naroditsky, 29, was found dead at his Charlotte home in October 2025. North Carolina toxicology showed methamphetamine, amphetamine, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in his system. Mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine are the primary psychoactive ingredients in kratom, a plant supplement that can act as a stimulant or sedative depending on dosage. Methamphetamine and amphetamine are synthetic stimulants that can cause severe cardiovascular strain, organ damage and fatal overdoses. Naroditsky was found unconscious by two close friends. Police investigated his death as a possible overdose or suicide; no official cause was announced. He had been deeply distressed beforehand, particularly over a public dispute with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik.

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