Chess federation files complaint against ex- world champion who accused grandmaster Naroditsky of cheating

**FIDE Files Complaint Against Former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik Over Cheating Allegations**

The International Chess Federation (FIDE), chess’s global governing body, announced on Tuesday that it has filed a formal complaint against former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik. The complaint follows Kramnik’s unproven allegations of cheating leveled against several fellow players, including the late American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away last month at the age of 29.

According to FIDE, the complaint centers on harassment and “the insulting of an individual’s dignity,” as stated in their official news release. Notably, Naroditsky’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Last year, Kramnik accused Naroditsky of cheating and continued to express his suspicions on social media platforms. Naroditsky, a prodigious chess talent who played a significant role in popularizing the game online through educational YouTube videos and livestreams, consistently denied the allegations.

In his final livestream before his death, Naroditsky opened up about the impact of Kramnik’s accusations, revealing the emotional toll they had taken on him. He said, “Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions. The issue is just the lingering effect of it.”

The chess community also responded strongly to Kramnik’s conduct. Prominent grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin publicly criticized Kramnik, accusing him of harassing Naroditsky.

While Kramnik did not immediately respond to recent requests for comment sent through his GoFundMe page—set up for his campaign against cheating—he previously described FIDE’s investigation as “insulting and unfair.”

The complaint submitted to FIDE’s Ethics & Disciplinary Commission highlights a “pattern of conduct over roughly two years” related to possible harassment. The statement also references testimony from Czech grandmaster David Navara, another player Kramnik has accused of cheating, as well as input from “people close to Daniel Naroditsky.”

FIDE’s anti-cheating regulations are clear: players making unfounded accusations driven by emotion or insufficient evidence may face sanctions. Furthermore, substantial proof is required to initiate any formal cheating investigation. To date, there have been no documented reports of FIDE investigating Naroditsky.

Previously, the federation said it had referred Kramnik’s statements—both prior to and following Naroditsky’s death—to the ethics commission. Tuesday’s announcement marks the formal submission of the complaint, signaling a serious step toward addressing the issue.

As this situation develops, the chess world watches closely, underscoring the importance of integrity and respect within the sport.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chess-federation-files-complaint-ex-world-champion-accused-grandmaster-rcna243370

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