Carlsen On Naroditsky: 'I Played Him On My Wedding Night And In Hospital Waiting For My Baby'

While tributes have flooded in for the much-loved American GM Daniel Naroditsky, the world's top player has told how he spent two of the biggest moments of his life sparring with the tragic grandmaster.

GM Magnus Carlsen, Norway's superstar and the most recognizable name in chess, said he wasn't close with "Danya", but the pair spent hours playing chess with each other online—such was the mutual respect they had for each other.

Speaking to Take Take Take, Carlsen said: "It’s a great loss. It’s very sad for all of us that somebody who was such a resource to the chess community and also had a universally high approval rating from everybody he met was led to the place that he was."

Carlsen added: "I knew Naroditsky for many years. We were not close, but we played a ton of games against each other online and he was always, first of all, a great opponent, but also very, very respectful, very nice.

"I spent many many hours not only watching his games, but watching his streams, which were both exciting for his incredible game playing, but also great explanations."

In January, Carlsen married Ella Victoria Malone at a glittering ceremony in Oslo. Last month, the couple announced the birth of their first child.

"Funnily enough, he [Naroditsky] was with me during two of my biggest moments," Carlsen said. "Last year I played him famously a few games on my wedding night, and I played with him a few games from the hospital while we were waiting for the delivery."

Naroditsky live-streamed the games on Twitch where the American offered Carlsen his congratulations.

Naroditsky lost 3-0 but in his typical good humour the grandmaster quipped: "I stole Magnus from his wife for 30 minutes. I am happy."