Kramnik’s Narrative Falls Apart: Lies Exposed

Daniel Naroditsky, the acclaimed American chess grandmaster, author, streamer, and beloved commentator affectionately known as “Danya,” tragically passed away. The sad and shocking news overwhelmed the chess world and left the community in dismay and shock. Daniel Naroditsky was not only a great player, but a fantastic streamer and educator, a true ambassador of the chess game. One of the frequents tributes on social media today reads, “I started playing chess because of Daniel Naroditsky”

Daniel Naroditsky’s mother, Elena Naroditsky, opened up in an interview for Fox News, “There was nothing more important to Daniel than his dignity and his name as a chess player,” Naroditsky’s mother, Elena Naroditsky, said. She continued, “The ex-world champion [Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik] was trying to say he’s a cheater. […] Daniel tried to defend himself so much. The whole world was on Daniel’s side. He played more and did more and more because he was trying to prove that he’s not what he was accused of.” See her full statement here

"There are lies, damned lies, and statistics"

But Kramnik's narrative of never accusing Naroditsky of cheating falls apart as videos and social media posts come to light.

Justice for Daniel Naroditsky https://t.co/ejVCPoYtc7

— Chessdom (@chessdom) October 30, 2025

“I never accused Daniel of cheating,” Kramnik told Al Arabiya. “What I did, I collected very, very serious material and I will stand by it and prove it in any commission or whatever is needed, that it definitely shows it has to be examined,” he said, quoted by India Express (read the full article here)

But Kramnik’s claim quickly fell apart, as Nemo Zhou (akaNemsko) published the Tweet/X post, where Kramnik says, “He CHEATED during this game, no doubt, end of story […]”

Nemo Zhou has an important note, “I’d like to use this as another reminder that FIDE’s bylaws directly have a clause for false accusations.”

Educational Smoke on reddit goes further and posts 16 videos debunking the “I have never made any personal attacks or insults against Daniel Naroditsky or anyone else. Never. This should never become personal” statement. As a famous line goes, these videos require procedure, careful examination, and of course we are just asking questions. The reddit user buttons_the_horse comments, “WOW. I didn’t realize the extent to which VK obsessively slandered Daniel. I can’t bring myself to watch his insane, unfounded accusations.”

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”
26.10 [VERY] Emotional video by Anna Rudolf, “Daniel Naroditsky was so gentle, so wise, so eloquent”
30.10 Nemo Zhou, “We, as a community, MUST do better to honor Daniel Naroditsky and to prevent further tragedies”

Dark clouds over Kramnik

With Kramnik’s “not accusing” claim proven false in multiple places, his credibility is collapsing fast, if it exists at all. As far as our knowledge goes, no name in the chess world has come out to support Kramnik publicly in the past weeks. His campaign to collect funds for “Fair play in chess” has stalled. FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission is looking in details at Kramnik’s case. Top players, including many from the 2700 club, have heavily criticized Kramnik. There is a petition, signed by close to 50 000 people (at this moment) to “ban Vladimir Kramnik, and revoke his titles/norms, per ethics standards”. There is even a movement to rename Rue Kramnik in Paris.

The list of Educational Smoke

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rItKyHiQdrU
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95mjM4iZCTg
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akJxNe30uJ4
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gBUnxHA1jI
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBSp-noTW40
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN4zLpzvJhc
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKz8vTK32_E
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooi-6XnKrTI
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lbSRXT3Oqs
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlP_EQ2tuZs
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bil7HETtP4g
12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9h2OvSlYnQ
13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TxDevckjgQ
14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0khQq5Ux4c
15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsiaBvdXSBI
16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gV0qP_s7k4

For those who have seen the "he cheated" screen shot going around here is the full thread. The context: Danya was doing a educational speed run, authorized by Chesscom where his opponent get a rating refund after games. He had analysis up AFTER a game was complete. Kramnik… pic.twitter.com/Vk4SGDVmE5

— Nemo (@akaNemsko) October 30, 2025

So heartbreaking
Isn't this clip from Danya's last stream more than good enough to understand how much his mental health was affected by the baseless accusations by Kramnik?@FIDE_chess Ethics Commission must step up and prevent Kramnik from playing with mental health of others pic.twitter.com/dOpBfz2N4f

— Arjun Erigaisi (@ArjunErigaisi) October 22, 2025

Our deepest condolences to the Naroditsky family, to the Charlotte Chess Center, to his friends and the whole chess community. RIP Daniel Naroditsky https://t.co/6B4kWIwaiw

— Chessdom (@chessdom) October 20, 2025

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)