The international governing body of chess is now considering disciplinary action against Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion, following his persistent and unsubstantiated accusations of cheating against American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky in the year leading up to Naroditsky’s untimely death. This development comes amid growing concerns over the impact of Kramnik’s public allegations on Naroditsky’s reputation and well-being, as well as wider discussions about the culture of accusations and harassment in the chess community.
Daniel Naroditsky, a highly talented chess grandmaster from California, tragically passed away at the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky had trained and worked as a coach, announced his death on a recent Monday. The cause of his death has not been disclosed publicly. Naroditsky had earned the grandmaster title at the young age of 18, a prestigious achievement just below the world champion level, and was known for his skill, particularly in fast-paced online formats like blitz chess.
The controversy began in October of the previous year when Vladimir Kramnik, who was world chess champion for several years in the early 2000s, started publicly accusing Naroditsky of cheating in online chess competitions. Kramnik shared his suspicions repeatedly on social media throughout the year, yet he did not provide concrete evidence to support his claims. Naroditsky consistently denied all accusations, stating that Kramnik’s attacks were attempts to damage his professional and personal life.
In response to the ongoing situation, Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), announced on Wednesday that he had formally referred all relevant public statements made by Kramnik—both before and after Naroditsky’s death—to FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for a thorough review. Dvorkovich emphasized the federation’s commitment to taking “appropriate action” if any form of public harassment or bullying is identified. According to FIDE’s anti-cheating regulations, substantial evidence is required to initiate an official cheating investigation. Additionally, the rules allow for sanctions against players who make baseless cheating accusations driven by emotion or insufficient data. Notably, no formal investigations into Naroditsky himself had been reported by the federation.
The chess community has been vocal in its criticism of Kramnik’s conduct during this period. Prominent grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin publicly condemned Kramnik for harassing Naroditsky and attempting to destroy his reputation. Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world chess champion, described Kramnik’s relentless pursuit of Naroditsky as “appalling,” highlighting the severity with which many in the chess world view Kramnik’s behavior.
Naroditsky himself addressed the issue during his final livestream session shortly before his death. Speaking to a large online audience, he revealed the emotional toll Kramnik’s cheating allegations had on him. Naroditsky explained that since Kramnik’s accusations surfaced, any success he achieved was often met with suspicion and doubt from others. He lamented that Kramnik, once one of his heroes, had become a source of distress and damage to his reputation.
This is not the first time Kramnik has been accused of harassment related to cheating claims. In 2023, the popular chess platform Chess.com removed Kramnik’s blog, citing his use of the space to spread unfounded allegations against numerous players. The following year, Kramnik intensified his campaign by posting a list titled “Cheating Tuesdays” on social media, naming various grandmasters, including Czech player David Navara. Navara later shared on his personal blog how Kramnik’s public accusations had deeply affected him, even leading him to contemplate suicide. Kramnik responded to Navara’s statements by accusing him of defamation.
In June, FIDE addressed this escalating conflict publicly, expressing concern that Kramnik’s manner of presenting his cheating suspicions was causing significant harm to the chess community. The federation noted that such behavior could be ruinous to the careers and mental health of targeted players. FIDE invited Kramnik to submit the details of his methodology and statistical data for official examination, indicating a willingness to consider legitimate claims but emphasizing the need for proper evidence and decorum.
Kramnik’s intensified focus on cheating accusations coincided with a major shift in the