FIDE President on the Naroditsky ethics case, “I asked Kramnik for the full methodology of his hints or accusations”
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.
The FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, speaking to reporters during the FIDE World Chess Cup 2025, said, “I am really sorry about the tragic death of Daniel Naroditsky, he was a personality that greatly influenced the chess world in a positive manner by being a great chess player and commentator. For me it is really personal, but on the other side it is also institutional issue. And since we all understand that he was affected by the hints [by Kramnik], sometimes aggressive hints related to potential cheating […] and even if those were not direct accusations, he felt like those were real accusations against him and some other players, for instance David Navara.”
“I never accused Daniel of cheating,” Kramnik told Al Arabiya earlier this week. However, a host of internet users were quick to point out that besides the aggressive “hints” that Dvorkovich mentions, there was even direct mentions of cheating where Kramnik says, “He CHEATED during this game, no doubt, end of story […]
The FIDE President continued, “I am not accusing anyone at this point. Having sad that I need to mention that I tried to persuade Vladimir Kramnik informally that he should be less aggressive (before, not after what happened [with Naroditsky]) but long time before, since I felt it is a bit too much.” Dvorkovich also touched another topic, “I asked Kramnik to provide the full methodology that he is using to air his hints or accusations. […] Not in general, but in clear scientific foundation for the statistics he has. And we did not receive it.” He concluded, “Vladimir is a good friend. And we had a good relationship for many years. I always supported him. We all just feel that it went in the wrong direction.”
Kramnik contradicted Dvorkovich that he answered “two hours” after receiving the email [from the FIDE lawyer] in a letter dated September 25. Kramnik also claims, “On top offered myself a year ago in formal letter to FIDE to present my findings, ignored”
The words of the FIDE President add to the statement of Daniel Naroditsky’s mother, Elena Naroditsky, who 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
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 Remembering Danya: Kramnik destroyed by Naroditsky
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”
30.10 Kramnik’s Narrative Falls Apart: Lies Exposed
FIDE President Dvorkovich is yet another one who admits to having private conversations on the topic. Earlier, Magnus Carlsen said, “When Kramnik started going after Naroditsky so hard […] in private I expressed to Naroditsky that I was sorry what he is going through and supported him. Probably I should have done that publicly as well […]the way Kramnik was going after him was horrible”
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)