ZÜRICH— The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is launching a formal review into the online conduct of former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik following a torrent of public condemnation regarding his sustained accusations against late Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky and his insensitive remarks immediately following the 29-year-old’s sudden death.
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky condemned Kramnik’s posts as “appalling and outright shameful,” signaling that the governing body will act within its jurisdiction to address a pattern of behavior that has cast a dark shadow over the global chess community.
The Cheating Allegations and Their Toll
The escalating tension between the two grandmasters began in 2024 when Kramnik—an outspoken anti-cheating crusader—repeatedly and publicly suggested, without concrete evidence, that Naroditsky was using a chess engine to achieve statistically improbable results in online games.
Naroditsky, a popular streamer and commentator, vehemently denied the accusations, calling Kramnik’s actions “worse than dirt” for the damage inflicted on his reputation and mental well-being. According to statements from other top players like GM Nihal Sarin and World Champion Magnus Carlsen, the relentless, baseless campaign of public accusations caused Naroditsky “immense pressure and pain,” contributing to a visible decline in his psychological health over the past year.
Naroditsky had reportedly stepped back from online commentary and streams in the months before his death, with his final broadcast showing a visibly distressed and exhausted player struggling to cope with the “lingering effect” of the cheating saga.
Kramnik’s Post-Mortem Outrage
The situation intensified dramatically after the Charlotte Chess Center announced Naroditsky’s unexpected passing on Monday. Instead of offering condolences, Kramnik posted a series of cryptic and inflammatory messages on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), questioning the circumstances of the death, suggesting possible substance abuse, and alleging that those close to Naroditsky were attempting to “erase evidence” by deleting his recent online content.
This latest volley of insinuations, coming hours after the tragedy, drew swift and fierce backlash from the international chess community, with Sutovsky pointing to the “appalling and outright shameful” nature of the remarks.
FIDE Promises Action
While FIDE has not specified the exact nature of the sanction, Sutovsky assured the community that the federation will not tolerate such conduct from a figure as influential as a former World Champion.
“One thing is clear: the way Kramnik approaches it, simply can’t be accepted… FIDE is not a court of justice, but we will act within our jurisdiction,” Sutovsky wrote, promising a review of Kramnik’s prior public statements. The case is expected to be handled by the FIDE Ethics Commission, which has the authority to issue suspensions and other disciplinary measures against members who violate ethical codes.
The incident highlights a growing call for accountability in the chess world for figures who leverage their status to launch unfounded accusations, with many now citing the tragic outcome as proof of the real-world harm caused by online defamation and harassment.