🔗 Share this article

Vladimir Kramnik has broken his silence after the tragic passing of US chess star Daniel Naroditsky, describing the 29-year-old's loss as a heartbreaking event while accusing critics for launching what he termed an "unprecedentedly cynical and illegal campaign of harassment" against him and his family.

Former Champion's Response

The fifty-year-old former world champion, who has faced broad criticism for alleging Naroditsky of digital foul play lacking proof, offered sympathies but rejected any individual targeting.

"Regardless of our differences, I was the only person 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 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 requests for examination of Naroditsky's digital games had been overlooked "even with substantial proof", and claimed he would submit documentation to "any relevant authority". He noted his lawyers were drafting civil and criminal suits 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, according to a law enforcement document released Thursday. A statement from Charlotte authorities indicates Naroditsky was found dead Sunday evening and classifies the case as a "Investigation into sudden death."

"Last Sunday, October 19 at approximately 07:11pm, officers answered an emergency medical request in the vicinity of Colin Crossing," the report says. "When they reached the scene, an unresponsive subject was located and later pronounced deceased by a medic."

Community Reaction

Outrage regarding Kramnik's behavior has shaken the chess world. Grandmaster Nakamura called his behavior "appalling", while five-time world champion Carlsen labeled it "terrible". GM from India Nihal Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his last digital game, blamed Kramnik for "taking a life", saying his self-appointed pursuit against alleged rule-breakers was ineffective and "totally inappropriate".

Naroditsky's Legacy

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, finishing ninth at last year's blitz world championship in New York.

Naroditsky repeatedly refuted the allegations but admitted the impact they had taken on his psychological well-being. "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 World Chess Federation announced recently it was "looking into" Kramnik's actions. "Kramnik's methodology simply can't be accepted," Fide CEO Sutovsky commented. The organization intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a tribute prize.

Federation president Arkady Dvorkovich later verified that all of Kramnik's public statements about Naroditsky, prior to and following his passing, would be submitted to the organisation's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission "for independent consideration".

"Life and human worth are fundamental values shared by all of us," Dvorkovich emphasized. "Our global chess family has always valued the accomplishments of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a responsibility to maintain the standards of fairness and respect."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's family have said they hope he is recalled not because of the confrontation he faced but for "the joy and inspiration he provided others every day". Magnus Carlsen described him "a resource to the chess community", while Hikaru Nakamura described him as "the best of us".

• Within the United States, individuals may contact the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, communicate via 988lifeline.org, or message HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
• In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, or message [email protected] or [email protected].
• Across Australia, the emergency help line Lifeline Australia is 13 11 14.
• Global support contacts can be found at befrienders.org.