Vladimir Kramnik has broken his silence following the untimely death of American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. The 29-year-old’s passing has been described by Kramnik as a tragedy, while he accuses critics of launching an “unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment” against him and his family.
The 50-year-old former world chess champion, who has faced widespread condemnation for accusing Naroditsky of online cheating without evidence, expressed his condolences but denied any personal attacks. In a statement shared on X, Kramnik stated, “Despite the tensions in our relationship, 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.”
He further added, “The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to directly link this tragic event to my name … cross all boundaries of basic human morality.”
Controversy and Legal Actions
Kramnik has been vocal about his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky’s online play, which he claims were ignored “despite a significant amount of evidence.” He has stated his intention to provide material to “any relevant authority” and mentioned that his lawyers are preparing civil and criminal suits over “false accusations” that have led to threats against him and his family.
He also welcomed what he described as a criminal investigation in the United States into the circumstances surrounding Naroditsky’s death and offered to assist with “important non-public information.” Kramnik concluded by asserting that he was “in good physical and mental condition” and had no intention of taking his own life.
Details of Naroditsky’s Death
The death of Naroditsky is being investigated as a possible suicide, potentially resulting from a drug overdose, according to a police report released Thursday. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department’s report states that Naroditsky was found dead on Sunday evening, describing the case as a “Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation.”
“On Sunday, October 19th at approximately 07:11pm, officers responded to an assist medic call in the area of 9000 Colin Crossing,” the report details. “Upon arrival, an unresponsive subject was located and later pronounced deceased by a medic.”
Naroditsky was discovered at his home by close friends, grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk and Charlotte Chess Center founder Peter Giannatos, who had gone to check on him after he stopped responding to calls and messages. “I found him dead in his house,” Bortnyk said in a stream this week. “We came to check because he wasn’t answering, and we found him dead on the couch.”
Naroditsky’s Legacy and Community Reaction
Known as Danya, Naroditsky was a celebrated figure in the chess world, amassing over 800,000 followers on Twitch and YouTube. A Stanford-educated prodigy and former world youth champion, he was renowned for his humor, clarity, and humility, becoming a leading voice during chess’s pandemic-era boom. He was also one of the world’s finest players under shorter time controls, finishing ninth at last year’s blitz world championship in New York.
Naroditsky consistently denied the cheating allegations but acknowledged the toll they had taken on his mental health. “Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst,” Naroditsky said in his final livestream.
Anger over Kramnik’s conduct has dominated the chess community. Hikaru Nakamura called his behavior “disgusting,” while five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen described it as “horrible.” Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his final online match, accused Kramnik of “taking a life,” saying his vigilante campaign against suspected cheaters was ineffective and “completely unacceptable.”
FIDE and Future Implications
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced that it is “looking into” Kramnik’s behavior. “The way Kramnik approaches it simply can’t be accepted,” FIDE chief executive Emil Sutovsky told Reuters. The federation plans to honor Naroditsky with a memorial award.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich confirmed that all of Kramnik’s public statements about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be referred to the organization’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission “for independent consideration.”
“Human life and dignity are fundamental values shared by all of us,” Dvorkovich said in a statement. “The chess community has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a responsibility to uphold the principles of fairness and respect.”
Sutovsky, meanwhile, faced backlash after posting a message on X that critics interpreted as blaming the community for not helping Naroditsky while he was alive. The remarks drew heavy criticism from prominent chess streamers like Anna Cramling and Nemo Zhou, who called the comments “disgusting” and urged him to resign.
Naroditsky’s family has expressed hope that 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.”
