Vladimir Kramnik facing investigation over attacks on Daniel Naroditsky before his death
Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik is facing disciplinary proceedings over public attacks on US grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) says.
Naroditsky died suddenly at the age of 29 this week, sparking grief, outrage and calls for action.
Last year the popular streamer and commentator – whose cause of death has not been made public – was accused by Kramnik of cheating online last year.
“I, along with the FIDE Management Board, will formally refer all relevant public statements made by GM Vladimir Kramnik – both before and after the tragic death of GM Daniel Naroditsky – to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for independent consideration,” FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement.
The chess world was rocked by the sudden death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. (X: Charlotte Chess Center)
Naroditsky denied any wrongdoing and appeared visibly distressed in his final Twitch broadcast last weekend, when he referred to the toll the controversy had taken on him.
“Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions,” he said.
“The issue is just the lingering effect of it.“
The video has since been deleted.
World number two Hikaru Nakamura condemned Kramnik’s conduct in a stream following Naroditsky’s death and used an expletive to denounce the Russian’s behaviour.
Former world champion Magnus Carlsen told viewers in a separate broadcast that Kramnik’s treatment of Naroditsky was “horrible”.
Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin said on X that Kramnik needed to “pay for what he’s doing” and noted that Naroditsky had been under “immense stress” as a result of the accusations.
Chess streamer Nemo Zhou also urged FIDE to intervene, calling the situation “unacceptable”.
FIDE expressed condolences to Naroditsky’s family and said it would honour him with a special award recognising his contributions as a player, teacher and commentator.
Kramnik, the world champion from 2000-07, has made similar accusations against other players in recent years.
“What public statement after the death of Daniel was incorrect?” the 50-year-old, who retired from competitive chess in 2019, said to Reuters.
“I demand clarification from Mr President [of FIDE].
“I have not bullied Daniel Naroditsky, nor ever made personal insults towards him.“
Kramnik said FIDE should also consider bullying, damaging statements and murder threats directed towards him from multiple members of the chess community, but did not offer specifics.
Naroditsky, a Stanford graduate and former world under-12 champion whose parents were Jewish emigrants from the Soviet Union, was a leading figure in online chess with hundreds of thousands of followers across YouTube and Twitch.
He finished ninth in last year’s blitz world championship.
Reuters
