The International Chess Federation, known as FIDE, announced it is considering disciplinary measures against Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik for directing unsubstantiated cheating allegations at the late American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky in the lead-up to his untimely death.
Naroditsky, who was regarded as one of the most talented young players and died at the age of 29, spent much of his career at the Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.
Kramnik had accused Naroditsky of cheating in online chess over the past year, but these claims were made without significant evidence. Naroditsky had publicly denied these accusations, expressing that Kramnik's actions were an attempt to damage his reputation and personal life.
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE's president, confirmed the review of Kramnik's statements, stating they would take appropriate action in cases of public harassment or bullying. FIDE's rules mandate substantial evidence is required before launching investigations into cheating.
In response to the potential investigation, Kramnik criticized it as insulting and unfair, expressing confusion over the allegations against him. He emphasized that he did not intend harm and demanded evidence of the claimed accusations.
Reactions from the Chess Community
The chess community has rallied around Naroditsky, with numerous grandmasters, including Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen, condemning Kramnik's behavior. Carlsen described Kramnik's relentless targeting of Naroditsky as appalling, highlighting the toll it took on the young player's mental health.
Naroditsky himself had mentioned in his final livestream that the harassment affected his confidence, complicating his performance and enjoyment of the game.
Previous Allegations by Kramnik
Kramnik’s actions are not unprecedented; he has faced backlash in the past for making baseless allegations against numerous players, once leading to his blog being removed from Chess.com. The community is increasingly vocal about the negative impact such accusations can have on players' lives, calling for greater accountability.
In light of Naroditsky's passing, FIDE plans to establish a prize in his honor, addressing the need for better mental well-being in competitive chess.
