Charity Pecksniff ✝️

@refisan17 Nioh2?

Gm fam🤍 2B ☕️ SFW illustration. No nudity or suggestive intent

I first met @GmNaroditsky Daniel Naroditsky, “Danya,” in 2008 on a cruise ship, of all places. He was the reigning World Under-12 Chess Champion and was on the front page of Chess Life. My mom, who can’t tell a knight from a bishop, pulled me aside after randomly passing the Naroditsky family and said, “Isn’t that the boy from your chess magazines?” and quickly ran to introduce us. Danya was probably already twice my rating despite being a couple years younger, and that may have been the last time that I was taller than him. As two introverted boys (some things never change), we let our parents do all the talking, and soon said our goodbyes. I’ve never told anyone this cruise story until now. I’d always assumed there would be a time and place to laugh about it with him. Or maybe I was too shy to admit that someone who was such a hero to me would become one of my best friends more than a decade later. Fast forward to 2015, when Jennifer Christianson had the brilliant instinct to bring Danya on as an instructor at the Castle Chess Camp, which I had attended for years. Watching Danya teach chess was something like watching Mozart in front of a piano. He was simply the most talented and passionate chess educator I’ve ever seen – generous with his time, and so damn thorough. Over the next couple years, my future boss @PeterGiannatos also started teaching at the camp, and we all became great friends (shoutout to Magesh Panchanathan too). We were all obsessed with chess, food, jokes, politics, ping pong, and staying up late. Danya taught at Castle Chess annually since 2015 until he took a break this year. He had promised me to return in 2026, and a promise from Danya is worth its weight in gold. Peter stayed in touch with Danya, always asking him whether he was going to attend grad school after Stanford or pursue chess in some way, shape, or form. To make a long story short, Danya was torn, but he eventually made the decision that we all love him for today. It was courageous of him to turn his back away from academia and the “traditional route” to which he had already devoted so many resources (and he was equally talented there as well), especially as the Charlotte Chess Center was much less of a powerhouse institution than it is today. And what a decision it was - everyone in Charlotte was so thrilled that he had chosen to move here, but no one was happier than I was. During COVID, Danya’s decision and subsequent hard work paid off in ways no one could have imagined. Not only was he a top online chess player, but his talent in teaching and speaking about chess led him to build a very successful brand with Twitch streaming, Youtube content, and Chesscom commentary. Meanwhile, he became an integral part of the Charlotte Chess core friend group during those unique lockdown days when us young professionals really needed each other socially. Danya was America’s childhood chess sweetheart, all grown up and succeeding in all walks of life - playing online blitz vs. Magnus and Hikaru by day, and watching “Billions” with his buddies and some Thai food in Virginia's apartment by night. After the pandemic, Danya’s trajectory kept climbing, as he did everything from writing a New York Times chess column to being the “go-to” commentator, along with inseparable content partner Robert Hess, on elite World Championship events. His family was proud. His friends were proud. The Charlotte Chess community was proud. He loved his life in chess and everyone around him. Through it all, the most impressive thing to me is how genuine Danya remained considering his fame. If anything, his success made him value his family, friends, and relationships even more. He was so down to earth – the most willing Grandmaster to host a party at his place or go on a coffee run for his colleagues. Though he remained an introvert throughout his life, he still loved coming to all of our homes for dinner or to the CCC to play in a Blitz tournament no matter the level of competition – 800, 1800, or 2800. When Danya would leave a party early, it would be to go play some online blitz and bullet – he loved chess more than anyone, and played virtually every day of his adult life. We all loved him for that and loved following his career. I remember walking into a movie theater when Danya had an advantage against World #3 Fabiano Caruana at the 2021 U.S. Championship, and could not put my phone down during the movie. He won that game. I also remember texting @MayaBMyers for minute-by-minute updates on Danya during the American Cup Blitz in which he had incredible results in his favorite format, over-the-board blitz. Finally, I remember calculating tiebreaks for him during the recent World Blitz Championship in New York – I informed him that he should play for a win to have a shot of qualifying to the final stage, but he secured an early draw to ensure a strong tied-for-first result to appease certain prying eyes of the chess community. Danya confided many things to me, and one that I can share is that he had concrete plans to make a return to classical chess in the next year and push towards the top 50 players in the World. He had just played the U.S. Open, and had his eyes on the 2026 Reykjavik Open and other events. For a player of his talent not to achieve his full potential had always nagged him, and to me, there was little in the way of him achieving his goals. All of these friendships, memories, and chess goals are what makes it so hard to say goodbye to you, Danya. No more fireside chats. No more blitz battles with @BortnykChess or time odds with Dominique. No more all-nighter ping pong duels. To those who have reached out with heartfelt condolences and questions about the circumstances of his passing: no one has answers for you right now. Please stop asking. Any speculation is likely far from the truth. I implore everyone to trade their curiosity in for compassion, and sincerely think of those most affected by Danya’s passing. The Naroditsky family needs privacy, and I urge everyone to honor that. I can tell you two things with absolute certainty: 1) Danya’s support group never faltered. We loved him for every moment of his life, and will continue to love and miss him forever. 2) There will be time in which we, amongst others I’m sure, take concrete steps to forever enshrine Danya’s legacy in the chess world. There will be a time and place to show your support. When that time comes, actions will speak louder than words. It is beautiful to see the countless articles, posts, and messages celebrating Danya’s life. Have you ever seen someone so universally loved by millions of people? I wish he could have understood that when he was still with us. He admired his colleagues in the professional chess world and sought the validation and respect of his fellow Grandmasters in an obsessive but endearing way. To those who seek retribution against certain members of the chess community, I personally ask you to remember that this time is about Danya Naroditsky and no one else. Over the past few days, I have found that positivity, however impossible, is what gives me solace during this time. Danya would never want such negative energy expelled on his behalf. Savor your favorite memories of him. Over the past few days, I’ve found myself asking myself the same questions repeatedly: How is it fair for such a beautiful family to endure such a painful loss? How is a young friend group supposed to heal after having a key member cruelly taken at the age of 29? How will the Charlotte Chess community ever recover from this? Why was Danya not at least able to enjoy the fruits of marriage and things outside of chess before departing? When will I wake up from this nightmare and have one more Barbecue or Mediterranean dinner with him? Of all the paths that fate could take, why this one? I’ve come to realize that I simply have no answers to these questions. Many of you will remember Danya as an eloquent commentator, passionate teacher, and formidable opponent. Of course, you’d be right about all of that. But I will remember him differently. Danya, you were an amazing friend and the best person I've ever known. I’m so sorry it ended this way. I am truly thankful that you chose to do what your heart wanted to do during your short life, and that you were able to find true love in your final years. I’ve always tried to keep emotion to a minimum. I now realize how stupid that is, and today, it is simply not possible. Today, I am simply broken. Today, I don’t know how to say thank you to you enough, Danya. Today, I hope that this goodbye will suffice. A huge part of me, of us, of chess, is gone forever. Rest in peace, Danya Naroditsky. I know you are already up there blitzing with the legends. Hope you brought your chess clock.

@Brink_Thinker Yep

@AiwithLara Men Are Just Happier People -- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack... You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You

@PeterSweden7 bbc.com/news/articles/…

Let me get this right. 1. Some pervert man approached and filmed a 12 year old girl. 2. Her 13 year old sister defended her and screamed at the men to stop. 3. She pulled out a knife and axe to scare the men away. 4. British police arrested the girl for possessing weapons. Is this correct or did I get something wrong? WHAT'S GOING ON.

@JeremyClarkson anyone who has been to Kernow knows not to mess with ‘the gulls’ - they’ll have you for for breakfast, lunch and dinner once they’ve cleaned up that ice cream you were carrying around like you were perambulating around Hyde Park.

I’ve just watched buzzard try to nick one of our dog’s treat bones from a seagull. And the seagull literally looked at it as if it was saying “do you fucking want some?”.

@samdoesarts OMG! There is a book! To the order page immediately! I love Sam’s art, can’t wait for the book to arrive.

Loss. #digitalpainting #digitalart 48 hours left to order my art book on kickstarter 🫨🫨

Soviet spaceflight navigation computers were so cool. This is the Globus INK. Analog orbital gear is peak humanity.

@trad_west_ ‘I am the sword’ - the most ignored statement imo, that makes most Protestants cower in fear of being seen to be ‘too much’

Destroy it!

@TwoFiveZer0ne @MaryTilesTexas @sarah_luna_1111 It’s a brilliant book

@MaryTilesTexas @sarah_luna_1111 Here's a good one 😉

When your friend makes you order study material

May 20, 325 AD — a Roman emperor convenes 300 bishops in a town called Nicaea. The goal? To define who Christ really is. This council didn’t just change Christianity. It redefined the empire itself. Let’s break down what actually happened at Nicaea... 🧵

330,400 miles (531,800 km) and closing! Our #JunoMission is now zooming toward Jupiter for its 72nd close flyby of the giant planet. You can ride along virtually at eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-sys… See real views of Jupiter from Juno at missionjuno.swri.edu

@trad_west_ O Lord, correct me, but with judgement; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Jeremiah 10.24; Psalm 6.1

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner

Really interesting, although I’d expect nothing less from Adam Curtis bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…

No sex, no booze, we’re off to church: Gen Z have found God thetimes.com/article/e83ea1…

"Por favor no pierdan la alegría, no pierdan el sentido del humor". La picardia argentina del Papa más gracioso de la historia❤️‍🩹

@chicfryrice @ChooseGoodKarma @Digiwhale_CTO Very sorry to read of your loss Lisa, it’s heartbreaking to lose someone you love.

@ChooseGoodKarma @Digiwhale_CTO He hasn’t passed just yet. But the doctors had me sign a DNR and said it’s past the place of return. It’s weird because with Andrew it was the first time that I felt whole. And to go back to that brokenness is…sigh. I am angry at God but I keep trying to pray.

People of 𝕏 Profiles: Lisa (@chicfryrice) & Andrew (@digiwhale_CTO) Super Power: A Limitless Love Meet Lisa and Andrew. Two halves of a Love sparked in this life, that will undoubtedly carry them throughout the eternal ages of the next. Their Love is a Light that shines out of them and brightens the world around them. I have been inspired by it and am forever changed by the testament of their enduring Love. While Andrew now rests awaiting the coming of Jesus, He rests in the assurance that He who says: “God is Love.” John 4 v8 Will not be appeased until Andrew and Lisa are united in Love once again upon his return of which He has promised: “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - John 14 v3 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4 v16-17 The strength demonstrated by these two, regardless of what they have faced, is evidence of the power of the Eternal Love bound up in their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lisa, I love you Sister, and I look forward to you introducing us to Andrew when we all go home.

@trad_west_ Amen

The tomb is empty. The King has risen. But what makes this day the dawn of everything new? What happened that turned despair into glory? It begins with an empty tomb and ends with wounds that heal the world. The stone rolled back, death undone, and hope reborn - a 🧵✝️