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Vladimir Kramnik has spoken out after the death of US chess star Daniel Naroditsky, calling the 29-year-old's loss as a heartbreaking event while accusing critics for launching what he termed an "unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful targeted harassment" against him and his family.

Kramnik's Statement

The fifty-year-old ex-champion, who has faced broad criticism for accusing Naroditsky of online cheating 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, publicly called for him to receive help," Kramnik stated. "The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to directly link this sorrowful incident to my name … cross all boundaries of basic human morality."

Kramnik said his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's digital games had been ignored "despite a significant amount of evidence", and stated he would provide material to "appropriate officials". He noted his lawyers were drafting civil and criminal suits over "false accusations" that have resulted in dangers against him and his family.

Investigation Details

The demise of the grandmaster may have been the consequence of substance overuse and is being examined as a potential self-harm case, based on a police report issued last Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department says Naroditsky was found dead Sunday evening and classifies the case as a "Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation."

"On Sunday October 19th at around 7:11 PM, officers answered an emergency medical request in the vicinity of Colin Crossing," the report says. "When they reached the scene, an unconscious individual was found and later declared dead by a medical professional."

Chess World Response

Anger over Kramnik's conduct has dominated the chess world. Hikaru Nakamura described his actions "appalling", while reigning champion Magnus Carlsen labeled it "horrible". GM from India Nihal Sarin, who faced Naroditsky in his final online match, blamed Kramnik for "taking a life", saying his vigilante campaign against alleged rule-breakers was ineffective and "totally inappropriate".

Naroditsky's Legacy

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky gathered more than 800k fans on Twitch and YouTube. Known as Danya, he was praised for his humor, clarity and humility, becoming a prominent figure in chess's COVID-period surge. He was also one of the world's finest players under shorter time controls, placing ninth at last year's blitz world championship in New York.

Naroditsky repeatedly refuted the accusations but admitted the impact 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 remarked in his final livestream.

Official Responses

The World Chess Federation announced recently it was "looking into" Kramnik's actions. "Kramnik's methodology simply is unacceptable," Fide chief executive Emil Sutovsky stated. The federation intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a memorial award.

Fide president Dvorkovich later confirmed that all of Kramnik's public statements about Naroditsky, prior to and following his passing, would be submitted to the federation's disciplinary body "for independent consideration".

"Human life and dignity are core principles shared by all of us," Dvorkovich stressed. "The chess community has always valued the accomplishments of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a duty to maintain the standards of fairness and respect."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's family have expressed they wish he is recalled not because of the confrontation he faced but for "the joy and inspiration he provided others every day". Magnus Carlsen called him "a resource to the chess community", while Nakamura described him as "among the finest".

• In the US, individuals may contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor.
• In the UK and Ireland, The Samaritans can be reached at 116 123, or message [email protected] or [email protected].
• In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Other international helplines can be located through befrienders.org.