🔗 Share this article

The former world champion has spoken out after the tragic passing of US chess star Daniel Naroditsky, describing the 29-year-old's demise as a tragedy while condemning critics for launching what he termed an "deeply cynical and illegal targeted harassment" against him and his loved ones.

Kramnik's Statement

The fifty-year-old former world champion, who has faced broad criticism for alleging Naroditsky of online cheating without evidence, offered sympathies but denied any individual targeting.

"Despite the tensions, I was the only person in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel's apparent health concerns a day before his death, openly urged for him to get assistance," Kramnik declared. "The ensuing efforts, immediately following his passing, to directly link this tragic event to my name … violate every limit of basic human morality."

Kramnik asserted his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's digital games had been ignored "even with substantial proof", and stated he would provide material to "any relevant authority". He noted his lawyers were preparing legal actions over "false accusations" that have led to threats against him and his family.

Investigation Details

The demise of the grandmaster may have been the consequence of substance overuse and is being examined as a potential self-harm case, based on a police report released Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department indicates Naroditsky was discovered deceased Sunday evening and classifies the case as a "Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation."

"On Sunday October 19th at around 7:11 PM, officers responded to an emergency medical request in the vicinity of Colin Crossing," the report says. "When they reached the scene, an unconscious individual was found and later declared dead by a medical professional."

Community Reaction

Outrage regarding Kramnik's behavior has shaken the chess world. Grandmaster Nakamura called his behavior "appalling", while five-time world champion Carlsen described it as "terrible". GM from India Nihal Sarin, who faced Naroditsky in his last digital game, accused Kramnik of "causing a death", saying his vigilante campaign against alleged rule-breakers was fruitless and "totally inappropriate".

Naroditsky's Legacy

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky gathered more than 800k fans on streaming platforms. Referred to as Danya, he was celebrated for his humor, clarity and humility, becoming a leading voice in chess's pandemic-era boom. He was also one of the world's finest players under rapid formats, finishing ninth at last year's speed chess title event in New York.

Naroditsky repeatedly refuted the allegations but acknowledged the toll they had taken on his psychological well-being. "Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people suspect foul play," Naroditsky said in his final livestream.

Organizational Statements

The World Chess Federation said this week it was "investigating" Kramnik's actions. "Kramnik's methodology simply can't be accepted," Fide CEO Sutovsky stated. The organization intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a memorial award.

Fide president Arkady Dvorkovich later confirmed that all of Kramnik's public statements about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be submitted to the federation's disciplinary body "to be reviewed independently".

"Life and human worth are core principles shared by all of us," Dvorkovich stressed. "The chess community has long respected the accomplishments of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a duty to maintain the standards of fairness and respect."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's family have expressed they wish he is remembered not for the hostility he endured but for "the joy and inspiration he brought people every day". Carlsen called him "a resource to the chess community", while Nakamura described him as "the best of us".

• In the US, you can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, communicate via 988lifeline.org, or message HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
• In the UK and Ireland, The Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, or message [email protected] or [email protected].
• In Australia, the emergency help line Lifeline Australia is 13 11 14.
• Global support contacts can be found at befrienders.org.