🔗 Share this article

Vladimir Kramnik has spoken out 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 "unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment" against him and his family.

Former Champion's Response

The fifty-year-old ex-champion, who has faced broad criticism for accusing Naroditsky of online cheating without evidence, offered sympathies but rejected any individual targeting.

"Despite the tensions, I was the sole individual in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel's apparent health concerns a day before his death, publicly called for him to receive help," Kramnik stated. "The ensuing efforts, right after his passing, to explicitly connect this sorrowful incident to my name … violate every limit of basic human morality."

Kramnik asserted his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's online play had been ignored "even with substantial proof", and claimed he would submit documentation to "any relevant authority". He mentioned his lawyers were drafting legal actions over "unfounded claims" that have led to threats against him and his family.

Police Findings

The demise of the grandmaster may have been the result of a drug overdose and is being investigated as a possible suicide, based on a law enforcement document 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."

"On Sunday October 19th at approximately 07:11pm, officers answered an emergency medical request in the area of 9000 Colin Crossing," the report says. "Upon arrival, an unresponsive subject was found and later declared dead by a medical professional."

Chess World Response

Anger over Kramnik's behavior has shaken the chess world. Hikaru Nakamura described his actions "appalling", while five-time world champion Carlsen described it as "horrible". GM from India Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his last digital game, blamed Kramnik for "causing a death", saying his vigilante campaign against suspected cheaters was ineffective and "completely unacceptable".

Grandmaster's Impact

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky gathered more than 800k fans on streaming platforms. Referred to as Danya, he was praised for his wit, insight and modesty, becoming a prominent figure 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 consistently denied the accusations but admitted the impact they had taken on his mental health. "Since the Kramnik controversy, I feel like if I start doing well, people suspect foul play," Naroditsky said in his last online broadcast.

Official Responses

The International Chess Federation (Fide) announced recently it was "looking into" Kramnik's behavior. "Kramnik's methodology simply is unacceptable," Fide CEO Sutovsky commented. The organization plans to honor Naroditsky with a memorial award.

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 universally upheld," Dvorkovich emphasized. "Our global chess family has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such status brings a responsibility to uphold the principles of equity and consideration."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's relatives have expressed they hope he is recalled not because of the hostility he endured but for "the joy and inspiration he provided others every day". Magnus Carlsen called him "a resource to the chess community", while Nakamura referred to him as "the best of us".

• In the US, you can call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, chat on 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 message [email protected] or [email protected].
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline Australia is 13 11 14.
• Global support contacts can be found at befrienders.org.