🔗 Share this article

The former world champion has broken his silence after the death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, describing the 29-year-old's loss as a tragedy while condemning critics for mounting what he termed an "deeply cynical and unlawful 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 accusing Naroditsky of online cheating without evidence, expressed condolences but rejected any personal attacks.

"Despite the tensions, I was the only person in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel's obvious health issues a day before his death, publicly called for him to receive help," Kramnik declared. "The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to explicitly connect this sorrowful incident to my name … violate every limit of basic human morality."

Kramnik said his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's online play had been ignored "despite a significant amount of evidence", and claimed he would provide material to "appropriate officials". He noted his lawyers were drafting civil and criminal suits over "false accusations" that have led to threats 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 police report released 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 responded to an emergency medical request in the vicinity of Colin Crossing," the report says. "When they reached the scene, an unconscious individual was located and later declared dead by a medic."

Community Reaction

Outrage regarding Kramnik's behavior has shaken the chess world. Hikaru Nakamura described his actions "appalling", while reigning champion Magnus Carlsen labeled it "terrible". Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his final online match, blamed Kramnik for "taking a life", saying his vigilante campaign against alleged rule-breakers was ineffective and "completely unacceptable".

Grandmaster's Impact

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky gathered more than 800k fans on Twitch and YouTube. Known as Danya, he was celebrated for his wit, insight and modesty, becoming a leading voice in chess's pandemic-era boom. He was also among the globe's top competitors under rapid formats, placing ninth at last year's speed chess title event in New York.

Naroditsky consistently denied the allegations but admitted the impact they had taken on his mental health. "Since the Kramnik controversy, I feel like if I begin performing strongly, people assume the worst," Naroditsky remarked in his final livestream.

Organizational Statements

The International Chess Federation (Fide) said this week it was "investigating" Kramnik's actions. "Kramnik's methodology simply is unacceptable," Fide chief executive Emil Sutovsky commented. The organization plans to honor Naroditsky with a tribute prize.

Federation president Arkady Dvorkovich later confirmed that all of Kramnik's official remarks about Naroditsky, prior to and following his passing, would be submitted to the federation's disciplinary body "for independent consideration".

"Human life and dignity are core principles universally upheld," Dvorkovich emphasized. "Our global chess family has long respected the accomplishments of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such status brings a responsibility to maintain the standards of equity and consideration."

Loved Ones' Wish

Naroditsky's relatives have expressed they wish he is recalled not because of the confrontation he faced but for "the happiness and motivation he brought people every day". Magnus Carlsen described him "an asset to chess", while Hikaru 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 message HOME to 741741 to reach a support specialist.
• In the UK and Ireland, The Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
• Across Australia, the emergency help line Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.