Drugs contributed to chess superstar's death

Meth, kratom were found in system of player, who died of cardiac arrhythmia.

- BY GRACE TOOHEY

DANIEL Naroditsky achieved fame but was troubled by accusations of cheating.

(LENNART OOTES Getty Images)

A recent medical examiner's report revealed the probable cause of death for 29-year-old Daniel Naroditsky.

The world-renowned chess grandmaster and recent Stanford graduate is believed to have died because of cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, exacerbated by drugs in his system, according to the report.

The new findings ruled that his death was accidental and probably stemmed from an undiagnosed condition — but noted that Naroditsky ingested both methamphetamine and kratom, and that likely was a contributing factor. The presence of such drugs can “increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia,” said the report from the Mecklenburg County, N.C., medical examiner's office that was shared publicly by the Charlotte Observer.