NewsWorld chess body probes former champion Kramnik over US grandmaster’s deathVladimir Kramnik repeatedly accused fellow chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky of cheating in the year before his death.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is currently evaluating potential disciplinary measures against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik due to allegations of cheating he made against fellow player Daniel Naroditsky. These allegations, which…
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is currently evaluating potential disciplinary measures against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik due to allegations of cheating he made against fellow player Daniel Naroditsky. These allegations, which remain unsubstantiated, were made during the year preceding Naroditsky's death.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced on Wednesday that the organization is reviewing Kramnik's public statements and social media posts accusing Naroditsky, a 29-year-old American grandmaster, of cheating. These posts have been referred to FIDE's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for further examination. The federation is committed to taking appropriate action in instances of public harassment or bullying.
The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky was a member, recently issued a statement announcing his sudden death. Naroditsky, a chess prodigy, was highly regarded in the chess community. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Naroditsky achieved the title of grandmaster at the age of 18. He was a consistent presence in the world top 200 for traditional chess and the top 25 for blitz chess. In August, he secured the US National Blitz Championship.
In October of the previous year, Kramnik began accusing Naroditsky of cheating in online chess matches. These accusations were reiterated in several social media posts, although substantial evidence has not been provided.
These allegations, which remain unsubstantiated, were made during the year preceding Naroditsky's death.
Naroditsky expressed that the allegations had a detrimental impact on his life, stating during a 2024 livestream that the negativity contributed to burnout and anxiety. In his final livestream, he mentioned feeling that success in chess was overshadowed by assumptions of wrongdoing.
There are no documented investigations of Naroditsky by FIDE. According to the federation's anti-cheating regulations, players making unfounded accusations based on insufficient data may face sanctions.
Following Naroditsky's death, Kramnik defended himself against accusations of culpability, asserting that those blaming him falsely would be held legally accountable. He also made cryptic references to Naroditsky's recent activities in social media posts.
Several prominent chess figures have criticized Kramnik's actions. Magnus Carlsen described the situation as "appalling," while Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin condemned the baseless accusations and public scrutiny, emphasizing the real-life consequences of such actions.
Kramnik has previously made similar allegations against other players, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when online chess became more prevalent. In 2023, his blog on Chess.com was removed after accusations of spreading baseless claims against numerous players.
Czech grandmaster David Navara, also accused by Kramnik of cheating, reported severe emotional distress as a result. Kramnik, in turn, accused Navara of defamation.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.