🔗 Share this article

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

Former Champion's Response

The fifty-year-old former world champion, who has faced broad criticism for alleging Naroditsky of digital foul play without evidence, offered sympathies but rejected any individual targeting.

"Regardless of our differences, I was the only person in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel's obvious health issues a day before his death, openly urged for him to receive help," Kramnik stated. "The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to explicitly connect this sorrowful incident to my name … cross all boundaries of basic human morality."

Kramnik said his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's digital games had been ignored "despite a significant amount of evidence", and claimed he would provide material to "any relevant authority". He mentioned his lawyers were preparing legal actions over "false accusations" that have resulted in dangers against him and his family.

Police Findings

The death of Naroditsky may have been the consequence of substance overuse and is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to a law enforcement document issued last Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department says Naroditsky was found dead 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 answered an assist medic call in the area of 9000 Colin Crossing," the document states. "When they reached the scene, an unresponsive subject was located and later pronounced deceased by a medical professional."

Chess World Response

Anger over Kramnik's conduct has shaken the chess world. Hikaru Nakamura described his actions "disgusting", while reigning champion Magnus Carlsen described it as "horrible". Indian grandmaster Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his last digital game, accused Kramnik of "taking a life", saying his self-appointed pursuit against alleged rule-breakers was fruitless and "completely unacceptable".

Naroditsky's Legacy

A Stanford-educated prodigy 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 among the globe's top competitors under shorter time controls, placing ninth at last year's speed chess title event in New York.

Naroditsky repeatedly refuted the allegations but admitted the impact they had taken on his psychological well-being. "Since the Kramnik controversy, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst," Naroditsky said in his last online broadcast.

Organizational Statements

The International Chess Federation (Fide) said this week it was "investigating" Kramnik's actions. "The way Kramnik approaches it simply can't be accepted," Fide chief executive Emil Sutovsky stated. The organization intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a memorial award.

Federation president Arkady Dvorkovich later confirmed that all of Kramnik's official remarks about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be submitted to the organisation's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission "for independent consideration".

"Human life and dignity are core principles universally upheld," Dvorkovich stressed. "The chess community has always valued the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such status brings a responsibility 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 happiness and motivation he brought people every day". Magnus Carlsen called him "an asset to chess", while Nakamura described him as "among the finest".

• Within the United States, you can call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, communicate via 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a support specialist.
• In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or message [email protected] or [email protected].
• Across Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Global support contacts can be found at befrienders.org.