 "Russian chess icon Vladimir Kramnik is accused of hurling cheating accusations against several players without providing credible evidence. AP")
Vladimir Kramnik finds himself in the spotlight in the week that has gone by following the untimely demise of American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky last Sunday , with many in the chess community accusing the veteran Russian GM of indirectly causing the 29-year-old’s death.
An investigation into Naroditsky’s demise has ruled out the possibility of foul play with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department currently treating it as a possible drug overdose or suicide. Kramnik, however, is being blamed for triggering a downward spiral leading to Naroditsky’s death by accusing him of cheating in online games for the past one year.
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Kramnik, a former world champion, has been making headlines for his controversial crusade against cheating in chess, particularly in online games, having leveled allegations against several players including Naroditsky without providing credible evidence for the same.
The 50-year-old, however, has maintained his innocence on the matter while claiming that the backlash against him following the American chess star’s death has led to threats against his family.
Kramnik defends cheating allegations against Naroditsky
In an official statement shared on his X account on Saturday, Kramnik insisted he had “never made any personal attack or insult” towards Naroditsky, but justified his cheating allegations at the same time by claiming to have a “significant amount of evidence” supporting his argument.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to all of Daniel Naroditsky’s loved ones in connection with the tragic and untimely passing of this remarkable chess player and person, which has deeply shaken me personally and the entire chess world,” Kramnik wrote in the statement that he shared on X.
“To my profound regret, this tragic event has become an opportunity for some to exploit it for their own interests and to launch an unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment against me and my family,” he added.
Some of the biggest names in the world of chess, including world No 1 Magnus Carlsen and world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura, have slammed Kramnik for his cheating allegations against Naroditsky and other players while Indian GM Nihal Sarin described him as someone who has “literally taken a life” .
On Thursday, Indian No 1 Arjun Erigaisi joined the chorus against Kramnik , urging FIDE to “prevent Kramnik from playing with the mental health of others”. And it’s not just players - FIDE has decided to refer Kramnik’s behaviour to its Ethics and Disciplinary Commission , with the 50-year-old facing a penalty ranging from a fine to a lifetime ban if found guilty.
‘Blatantly false and criminal accusations against me’
Kramnik not only described the criticism and allegations against his controversial anti-cheating campaign as “blatantly false and criminal”, he has even lawsuits against the players who lashed out at him following Naroditsky’s passing.
“Certain provocative statements made by public figures, sometimes escalating to blatantly false and criminal accusations against me regarding Daniel’s death, which have led, among other things, to threats to the safety of myself and my family and violations of my personal rights, will be the subject of criminal and civil lawsuits currently being prepared by my lawyers,” Kramnik added in his statement, in which he also offered to help with the investigation with “some important non-public information”.
Kramnik ended his statement by clarifying that he was in no mood to take his own life.
“Finally, with full responsibility, I want to state that I am in good physical and mental condition and under no circumstances am I planning to take my own life,” he signed off.
Naroditsky was known by his nickname ‘Danya’ within the chess community and was also a commentator, streamer and trainer in addition to being among the top blitz players in the world. He enjoyed a massive following on video-sharing and streaming platforms YouTube and Twitch and trained budding talent at the Charlotte Chess Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.