FIDE acts against Vladimir Kramnik as chess world blames him for hounding late Daniel Naroditsky: ‘His contributions are undeniable…’

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Arkady Dvorkovich on Wednesday said that the global body has initiated disciplinary action against Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik for his cheating accusations against Daniel Naroditsky, the American Grandmaster who died at 29 on Sunday. While Naroditsky’s family has not revealed the real cause of death, Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has accused former world champion Kramnik of “taking” a life, while world No 1 Magnus Carlsen has also criticised the Russian chess legend for the way he hounded Naroditsky over the last year.

Kramnik had accused Naroditsky of cheating during online games with the use of a second screen. While he never managed to give any conclusive evidence, it didn’t stop Kramnik, who is considered one of the greatest defensive players in chess, from consistently making the accusations against Naroditsky.

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In December 2024, a frustrated Naroditsky had labelled Kramnik “worse than dirt,” and also mentioned the allegations in his final Twitch livestream.

“Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions,” he said last weekend. “The issue is just the lingering effect of it.”

FIDE initiates action against Kramnik after Naroditsky’s death

FIDE president Dvorkovich has said it will refer Kramnik’s statements about Naroditsky to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for independent consideration.

“The chess community has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, and his contributions to our sport are undeniable. The same high standards that accompany great achievements, however, also confer a responsibility to uphold the principles of fairness and respect and to be ambassadors for the sport,” Dvorkovich said in a statement.

“Therefore, I, along with the FIDE Management Board, will formally refer all relevant public statements made by GM Vladimir Kramnik — both before and after the tragic death of GM Daniel Naroditsky — to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for independent consideration.”

Dvorkovich added that FIDE will take “appropriate action” if it observes any “bullying” in the chess community.

“At the same time, I reaffirm that FIDE will take appropriate action in any case where a lack of respect, public harassment, or bullying is observed within the chess community. We all share responsibility for ensuring that our sport remains a space of integrity, respect, and humanity — values that must always prevail over hostility and division.”

Before Dvorkovich, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky said that Kramnik’s anti-cheating campaign cannot continue in the “outright shameful” way that it does.