The former world champion has responded by threatening lawsuits against his critics and denying any plans of self-harm. (Image: People)
A bitter feud in the chess world has escalated dramatically following the death of American grandmaster and popular streamer Daniel Naroditsky. After receiving harsh criticism for his remarks regarding the recently deceased 19-year-old, Russian former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik is now threatening legal action against his detractors. The controversy has drawn strong reactions from some of the biggest names in global chess.
The dispute stems from a social media post made by Kramnik after Naroditsky's death was announced. Kramnik shared a screenshot of a private text exchange with a chess fan. The fan conjectured in the texts that drugs or foul play might have played a role in Naroditsky's appearance as "unstable" in his last streams. Many perceived Kramnik's public broadcast of this conversation as endorsing these assumptions about the late streamer's mental state. This action ignited immediate anger across the chess community.
Also Read: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Warns of ‘Open War’ as Afghanistan Talks Reach Critical Juncture
Prominent figures have publicly condemned Kramnik's actions. The current top player in the world, Magnus Carlsen, called Kramnik's accusations "horrible." Carlsen expressed regret for not publicly supporting Naroditsky earlier when Kramnik had accused him of cheating online. American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who was also previously accused by Kramnik, described the recent comments as "disgusting." Indian GM Nikal Sarin went further, accusing Kramnik of “taking a life” with his words.
Amid the growing criticism, Vladimir Kramnik issued a formal statement. He accused his critics of running a "cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment against me and my family." He has threatened to sue certain "public figures" for what he calls "provocative statements" and "blatantly false and criminal accusations." Kramnik also stated he welcomes the official investigation into Naroditsky's death and claims he will cooperate with authorities, offering "important non-public information."
Also Read: Meet Timothy Mellon: The Secretive Billionaire Behind a Massive Donation for US Soldiers
This is not a new conflict. In 2024, Kramnik publicly accused the young American grandmaster of cheating in online chess, which sparked tensions between the two. These claims continued to be a source of dispute, and Kramnik waged an active campaign around them. Following Naroditsky's death, which US authorities are investigating as a possible suicide or drug overdose, chess followers revived this history, dragging Kramnik back into the spotlight and blaming him for his role in the public feud.
