I’ve been quiet because I didn’t know how to put this into words. I heard the news about Danya early yesterday morning, and I still can’t believe he’s gone. I’ve known Danya since we were kids. We became real friends in college, and over the years I had the privilege of working with him countless times. Everyone knew him as brilliant, humble, and exceptionally talented, but what stood out most to me was how deeply kind and selfless he was. One memory that’s stuck with me: we were studying for a history exam together. He didn’t need to be there, he could’ve aced it without trying, but he stayed to help me anyway. At one point, he left his Facebook open and I thought it’d be funny to post a joke status that he was quitting chess (stupid, I know). The joke spread and upset a lot of people. He never told me. I only learned years later from someone else how much chaos it caused. He’d kept it to himself so he wouldn’t make me feel bad. That was Danya. Always putting others first, never needing credit for it. The world, not just the chess world, lost a rare kind of light. Danya probably never fully grasped how much he positively impacted people, but I hope his legacy reminds us of it. My deepest condolences to his loved ones. I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling right now. RIP friend. If heaven exists, I know you’re there 🤍