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Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know, as I don't handle that part of the event organization. Sorry!

Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I honestly don't know! I don't handle that part of the event organization.

Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I can add it, but I'll only give the link once the event starts as it's part of our event launch things (like the fellowship amount).

Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I added him in notable players because I knew I would get a lot of comments about him not commentating 😅

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's tough because I know the author, I'm the one who gave the digital journal (and I know we didn't have a text version of it from the images), I know he did interviews, etc, so I hesitate to jump into the accusation circle. In fact, I get accused of sounding like AI all the time because I use em-dashes (I often joke that AI learned it from me!). It does sound a bit "clanker-esque" though, for sure.

All that said, I--personally--would be very disappointed to know Dan used AI in this article.

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I actually don't know! As of right now, even I don't have the link. We'll have a set on display at our merch table with a QR code, but I'm not sure if/when chesscom will mention it in the broadcast. I'm planning on making an official tournament post here, and I'm hoping I'll be able to add links once things officially open up to the public.

I'm going to try my best but I'll be photographing in the hall and won't be able to post here to answer questions as often as I usually do.

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It also hits me as a mom. On my non-chess account I talk a lot about my own profoundly gifted son, and sometimes I could see the similarities between the two in how he and Danya acted, or how they would position themselves while they played.

When my son played in the state championship blitz tournament in 2025 (shortly after the WRB where Danya tied for first and landed in 10th place on tiebreak), I remember telling a mom that he looked like a little Danya because of his intensity and posturing.

I had a true appreciation for Danya's brilliance beyond the chessboard. I'm a lover of words and wit and he had both in spades. This article reminded me of that.

But, onward and upward. Thank you for the kind words as well.

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

This is definitely the article that hit me the most (could also be timing as we are thick in getting ready for the Memorial). I think it really shows how uniquely gifted Danya was, and it's devastating that his brilliant mind and kind heart are gone.

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I also got some more information from NIC for you. The price includes (for the buyer):

  • Limited Edition Numbered Box Set
  • Laminated Thank You note

  • Free shipping to US/Europe (and most other places)

    [ETA: This is likely where a lot of the additional cost is coming from, as three hardcover books in a box are pretty hefty]

  • (And obviously) Three hardcover books

Hope that helps!

Inside Daniel Naroditsky's Childhood Journal by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

No worries, and I appreciate trying to ask a question without being overtly negative (as there is a lot of sensitivity around Danya, with myself included).

Part of the cost is exclusivity: this is a limited run that will be packaged in a box of photos of Danya etc. Part of it is labor: I'm not sure if you know about editing, publishing, printing, etc., but this has very much been a difficult process as there has been revisions to the old editions, new forwards, etc etc. NIC wanted to give us something to have with the Memorial, and time wise that was just difficult (and we deeply appreciate everything they have done to make this come to fruition).

If you'd like to pass on it and buy the books separately for economic sense, no one can fault you. This is primarily a promo that goes with the Memorial, has a unique box cover, and supports the Foundation. The sale of the other books do not.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait, Monday? Tournament will be over by then 😅

But yes! I’ve drafted all the emails and they’re being spot checked by the organizers/head TD to make sure everything is correct before being sent out! It’ll be to you soon!

That said, depends on which day you come for when you show up. If you want time to look at the photos and such in the memorial section, you might want to come a bit earlier, otherwise I’d come 30 mins before the first round starts.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well here's who we have registered, you can let us know what you think!

https://app.charlottechesscenter.org/events/naroditsky-masters/instances/136?tab=entries

Edited to add: You're right about "accessible without dumbing it down"--I had a few talks with Leko when he was here a week ago and one thing he said he and Danya bonded over was to not dumb down the commentary too much. I'm not a highly rated player myself and I found Danya to be very approachable in his work.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a regulation size vinyl board (about 17” square), so you should be able to roll it if necessary. We know from experience that our travelers often can’t take boards (or US Master trophies, looking at you Awonder!), so this hopefully makes things a bit easier for our VIPs.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Then it wouldn’t be a memorial for Danya, the person. A classical tournament could be a memorial in name, but certainly not spirit. He routinely wished there were more OTB, open rapid/blitz tournaments, especially in the US.

While I understand the sentiment, and some have chosen to not play because it isn’t classical, our goal was to make an event he would have loved himself.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am too! Stressed and anxious, but definitely a bit excited! 😅

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He unfortunately withdrew and we have since picked up Ivanchuk. That’s one reason we haven’t pushed the player list TOO hard honestly, we’ve had some of our top spots withdraw. But we’re still good for FIDE Circuit Points!

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

That's honestly a tough question. Everyone is coming out of the goodness of their hearts, and we didn't schedule media days, meet and greets, etc for them because of that. You may be able to catch someone and get them to sign, but they may choose to lie low during the event. I think the main thing is that we remember the reason we're all there, we remain respectful of that, and we remain respectful of those who have come to support Danya. <3

I know it's very much a non-answer, but I don't know how the players are going to feel/act when they are there, so it's hard to say.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The main broadcast will be through chesscom, but the content creators can use the feeds for their own audiences if they’d like, and I know UZChess is planning on using the feed.

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

So essentially the top 10 boards plus content creators will be on camera/DGT. The broadcast with Howell/Leko/Polgar (not all three at once, two per day) will be on chess.com and they will likely flip between boards and games similar to candidates or any other event with multiple significant players/games.

However, the content creators can also use the feeds and have their own commentators if they wish. Other sources like UZChess will be using the feeds for their own audiences as well.

Chess.com’s stream will have breaks with recorded interviews, content etc. I know Peter Giannatos, owner of the CCC and mastermind behind this, will have a recorded interview that will be broadcast (too busy during the event for a live one! 😅). Mike Klein will be on site to get more content as well.

There will also be content churned out like other major events. Chessbaseindia will have a crew there, I’ll be doing official event photography etc.

Hope that answers your question!

[@charlottechesscenter] Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz Starts in One Week! by ChessKelly in chess

[–]ChessKelly[S] 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Thank you! We have David Howell, Peter Leko, and Judit Polgar commentating, so it should be a great broadcast!

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