David Navara discusses a financial penalty for Kramnik regarding his treatment of Naroditsky
In a brave public act, David Navara explains in details what he went through after the baseless allegations of Kramnik. Navara describes the emotional torture by Kramnik’s allegations, the silence of FIDE, their posterior inadequate reaction and total disregard of basic FIDE ethical and moral values.
David Navara has reported multiple problems regarding Kramnik’s behavior , and these reports are often similar to the case of Daniel Naroditsky, who tragically passed away this month. During Naroditsky’s last livestream, he discussed (again) the strain he felt from accusations previously made by Kramnik. “Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst”
The extent to which Kramnik’s actions played a role in Naroditsky’s death is not proven; it remains a topic of investigation and community debate. One of the actions required by a large part of the chess community is FIDE to regulate baseless cheating accusations and allegations, due to the extensive emotional damage they cause. Regarding what Kramnik did to Naroditsky, there is a vocal request and a petition titled “Request FIDE ban Vladimir Kramnik, and revoke his titles/norms, per ethics standards”, now signed by more than 30 000 people (and growing)
Despite Kramnik’s treatment towards him and Naroditsky, David Navara sees the revoking of the World Champion title and the GM title as “absurd”, due to the inactivity of Kramnik. David Navara has another proposition that he posted in a comment in a discussion on Lichess, “Revoking titles is not a good idea, although I would like to mention that FIDE has changed its list of the World Champions before, and that Vishy Anand became the unified World Champion in 2007, although Vladimir Kramnik was referred to as a World Champion until 2008 in some sources. And stripping him of the GM title would be absurd as well.” David Navara continued, “That said, about 10 years ago FIDE forced a certain ex-GM to return his first prize ($11000) after he had been found guilty of cheating at his next tournament. Many of GM Kramnik’s statistic have been found highly problematic by experts. GM Kramnik has got his reputation of a fighter against cheating primarily because of his statistics and accusations. Those statistics and accusations helped him to play two very well-paid matches against José Martínez Alcántara.“
David Navara gave a concrete suggestion as to how FIDE can act towards Kramnik in regards to what he did to Naroditsky, “Perhaps FIDE could force GM Kramnik to pay his earnings from those matches to Danya’s family. (Money would not repair the damage, but I see no better way how an inactive player could be adequately punished. Removing titles would appear inadequate in this case.)“
A Reddit user by the name of Practical-Heat-1009 contradicted Navara, “Revoking his GM title isn’t absurd. It’s allowed for under FIDE bylaws. It’s an appropriate punishment – not because Danya has died, not because he directly caused it – but because his behaviour to Danya, David, Hikaru and many others has been absolutely immoral and repulsive. It goes against FIDE’s code, and Kramnik should be made an example of to deter future behaviour of that nature.” Another user, 841f7e390d, supports that, “I politely disagree [with Navara] about the GM part, it’s not absurd at all. If you can lose the IM title for sending condoms to chess players, a former world champion can lose his GM title for all the things he has done. The standards should be higher, and he has long lost all respect or goodwill his achievements might have earned him.“
Daniel Naroditsky passes away timeline
20.10 Daniel Naroditsky passes away
20.10 2700 club players mourn the passing of Daniel Naroditsky
20.10 The chess world mourns the passing away of Daniel Naroditsky
20.10 Fellow streamers react to the passing of Daniel Naroditsky
21.10 NY Times, where Daniel Naroditsky was columnist, with a tribute for Danya
21.10 Honoring Daniel Naroditsky, a video tribute to Danya
21.10 Magnus Carlsen on Daniel Naroditsky, “It’s a great loss. It’s very sad for all of us”
22.10 Reuters, “FIDE was “looking into” Kramnik’s year-long campaign accusing Naroditsky of online cheating”
23.10 Grant Oen, “Danya Naroditsky, I know you are already up there blitzing with the legends”
Disclaimer: Unfounded cheating allegations and accusations are a powerful form of emotional manipulation that can cause lasting psychological and even physical harm. (more about it here)
Context (28.05)
Kramnik is known to have published numerous articles and videos regarding cheating in chess. On multiple occasions he uses a small sample size. As a result, his conclusions may be perceived as accusations (this is the case in a multitude of well documented videos, articles, and opinions by experts here, here, here, here are just a few examples), allegations, or suspicions about cheating in chess, and even as insults to players’ professionalism. Despite how each individual perceives his words, on Chessdom, starting 25 May, we have adopted a term that Vladimir Kramnik used himself – allegations.
In accordance with established journalistic practices, we work with information and quotations from sources, including Kramnik himself. Kramnik has never contacted Chessdom via its official communication channel posted in the header of the website. Our attempt to contact Kramnik was futile and met with a swift block. The latest threats by Kramnik on social media leave little room for any good-faith discussions (further details to follow)
Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.