FIDE Investigates Kramnik Following Harassment Allegations Against Late Chess Prodigy Naroditsky

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced the initiation of an investigation into former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. This comes in the wake of allegations that Kramnik harassed and bullied American chess player Daniel Naroditsky, who tragically passed away on Tuesday at the tender age of 29. Naroditsky’s untimely death has left the chess community in shock, with details surrounding the cause still undisclosed. Naroditsky was a grandmaster—the highest title in chess—and esteemed chess coach, known for his engaging presence in the online chess community. Only three days prior to his death, he participated in a livestream on Twitch where he accused Kramnik of cheating and voiced concerns about the impact of these allegations on his well-being. The livestream was taken down shortly after his death, further complicating this deeply troubling narrative. Since October 2022, Kramnik has persistently leveled accusations against Naroditsky, claiming he cheated during online games. Despite Kramnik’s frequent allegations shared on social media, he has failed to provide any substantial evidence to back these claims. Naroditsky consistently denied the accusations, maintaining his integrity amidst the controversy. Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE, has taken these allegations seriously and has forwarded Kramnik's claims to the federation's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. The Commission will assess whether Kramnik's behavior constitutes harassment or bullying against Naroditsky, thus escalating the matter to a potential sanctions scenario. Accusations of cheating hold significant weight in the chess community and can even lead to legal actions amounting to millions of euros. This seriousness has prompted dedicated platforms like Chess.com to develop robust measures aimed at preventing cheating, especially as the risk has heightened in recent years due to the emergence of advanced technology enabling discreet, high-level cheating. The chess world is still reeling from the implications of this incident. Kramnik's history of aggressive behavior toward fellow chess players precedes this latest controversy. In 2023, his blog on Chess.com was shut down due to the dissemination of unfounded cheating accusations against various players. Moreover, in a subsequent incident, he published a list of suspected cheaters that notably included Czech grandmaster David Navara, who later reported that Kramnik’s accusations led him to consider suicide. As the investigation unfolds, questions loom regarding the impact of Kramnik's actions on Naroditsky's mental health and the broader implications for the chess community grappling with the challenges of integrity and respect in the sport. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2