Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik broke his silence on Friday, claiming he was the only person in the chess community who publicly urged others to help American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky before his sudden death.
In a lengthy statement posted to social media on October 25, Kramnik expressed condolences to Naroditsky’s loved ones but also defended himself amid widespread criticism that his previous accusations of cheating may have contributed to the 29-year-old’s death.
“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,” Kramnik wrote.
“Unfortunately, this plea was ignored by everyone.”
The Russian grandmaster said he was “deeply shaken” by Naroditsky’s passing, which police in Charlotte, North Carolina, are investigating as a possible suicide or overdose. However, he described the aftermath as “an unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment” against himself and his family.
Kramnik emphasized that he never made any personal attack against Naroditsky, calling him “a remarkable chess player and person.”
Reiterates Fair Play Allegations
In the same statement, Kramnik revisited his long-running dispute with the late American player. He said that his private and public requests for a review of Naroditsky’s compliance with fair-play rules — made a year earlier — had been ignored.
“A significant amount of evidence, only part of which was published, supported the validity of this request,” he wrote, adding that he remains ready to provide those materials to relevant authorities.
This portion of the statement reignited anger among many chess fans and professionals, who viewed it as an attempt to justify his earlier accusations even after Naroditsky’s death.
Legal Action and Cooperation with Police
Kramnik also said he and his lawyers are preparing both civil and criminal lawsuits against “public figures” who he claims have made “blatantly false and criminal accusations” linking him to Naroditsky’s death.
He added that he welcomes the opening of a criminal investigation in the United States into the circumstances of Naroditsky’s death, and that he is prepared to cooperate with police, even offering what he described as “non-public information” he possesses.
“I really would like the investigation to take place as a very serious police investigation, and that we all know what happened,” he said.
The 50-year-old grandmaster concluded his message by assuring followers that he is “in good physical and mental condition” and that he has no intention of harming himself.
Context
Naroditsky, a beloved chess grandmaster, teacher, commentator, and content creator, was found unresponsive at his home on October 19. His death prompted an outpouring of grief across the chess world — and renewed scrutiny of Kramnik’s year-long campaign accusing top players of online cheating.
While Kramnik maintains that his actions were driven by concern for fairness, critics say his accusations, particularly against Naroditsky, lacked evidence and caused lasting reputational harm.
The investigation into Naroditsky’s death remains ongoing. Police are investigating the case as a possible suicide or overdose.
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