🔗 Share this article

The former world champion has spoken out after the tragic passing of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, calling the 29-year-old's demise as a heartbreaking event while accusing critics for mounting what he termed an "deeply cynical and illegal campaign of harassment" against him and his family.

Former Champion's Response

The fifty-year-old ex-champion, who has faced widespread condemnation for alleging Naroditsky of online cheating lacking proof, offered sympathies but rejected any personal attacks.

"Despite the tensions, I was the sole individual in the chess community who, observing through footage Daniel's apparent health concerns a day before his death, openly urged for him to receive help," Kramnik stated. "The subsequent attempts, right after his passing, to directly link this sorrowful incident to my name … cross all boundaries of fundamental human decency."

Kramnik asserted his earlier requests for examination of Naroditsky's digital games 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 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 police report released Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department indicates Naroditsky was found dead Sunday evening and describes the case as a "Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation."

"Last Sunday, October 19 at around 7:11 PM, officers answered 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 medical professional."

Community Reaction

Outrage regarding Kramnik's conduct has shaken the chess world. Grandmaster Nakamura described his actions "appalling", while five-time world champion Carlsen labeled it "horrible". GM from India Sarin, who faced Naroditsky in his last digital game, accused Kramnik of "causing a death", saying his vigilante campaign against suspected cheaters was ineffective and "totally inappropriate".

Grandmaster's Impact

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky amassed over 800,000 followers on Twitch and YouTube. Referred to as Danya, he was praised for his wit, insight and modesty, becoming a prominent figure in chess's COVID-period surge. He was also among the globe's top competitors under rapid formats, placing ninth at last year's blitz world championship 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 said in his final livestream.

Organizational Statements

The World Chess Federation announced recently it was "investigating" Kramnik's behavior. "The way Kramnik approaches it simply is unacceptable," Fide chief executive Emil Sutovsky commented. The organization plans to honor Naroditsky with a tribute prize.

Federation president Arkady Dvorkovich later verified that all of Kramnik's public statements about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be referred to the federation's disciplinary body "for independent consideration".

"Life and human worth are core principles shared by all of us," Dvorkovich emphasized. "The chess community has always valued the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a responsibility to maintain the standards of fairness and respect."

Loved Ones' Wish

Naroditsky's family have said they hope he is recalled not because of the confrontation he faced but for "the happiness and motivation he provided others every day". Carlsen called him "a resource to the chess community", while Hikaru Nakamura described him as "among the finest".

• Within the United States, individuals may contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, communicate via 988lifeline.org, or message HOME to 741741 to reach a support specialist.
• Throughout Britain and Ireland, The Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.