The International Chess Federation (FIDE) on Tuesday submitted a complaint to the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission (EDC) and named former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik as the respondent. “The referral follows concern in the chess community about repeated public allegations made by Kramnik against GM Daniel Naroditsky and GM David Navara, and comes after a review of the matter by the FIDE Management Board,” the chess body said in the statement.
Naroditsky passed away last month at the age of 29 as the chess world mourned his demise. Kramnik, who had previously accused Naroditsky of cheating in online chess, raised his suspicion of Naroditsky’s sudden passing and posted a series of explosive tweets questioning the circumstances. The 50-year-old Russian GM hinted at potential substance abuse and deteriorating mental health.
Kramnik had, without substantial proof, repeatedly accused the American player of cheating while playing online – an allegation that Naroditsky had firmly denied. Last December, Naroditsky had said on “Take Take Take” that cheating, according to him, is the worst crime a chess player can commit but what Kramnik did, according to him, makes “worse than dirt”.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has formally submitted a complaint to the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission (EDC) naming former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik as the respondent.
The referral follows concern in the chess community about repeated public allegations… pic.twitter.com/NEzVcNV5uh
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) November 11, 2025
“The complaint outlines a pattern of conduct over roughly two years and cites several public statements and materials that FIDE considers relevant to potential violations related to harassment and the insulting of an individual’s dignity. The submission also includes testimony and information provided by David Navara and people close to Daniel Naroditsky. These matters will now be reviewed under the established procedures of the EDC,” FIDE said in the statement on Tuesday.
Timeline
2 Years
Pattern of public accusations
Primary Targets
2 GMs
Daniel Naroditsky & David Navara
Tragic Loss
Age 29
Naroditsky passed away last month
Proof Provided
Zero
No scientific methodology delivered
Violation Type
Harassment
Insulting individual’s dignity
FIDE Response
Nov 11
Formal complaint filed to EDC
Failed Persuasion
Informal
President’s attempts unsuccessful
Naroditsky’s Words
“Worse than dirt”
His response to Kramnik’s actions
Leadership Speaks Out
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich: Tried to persuade Kramnik to be less aggressive. Asked for full methodology and scientific foundation for statistics used in accusations. Never received it.
“Most of us are quite disappointed with how Kramnik has behaved in this matter” — Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Deputy President
Indian Express InfoGenIE
What did the FIDE president say about Kramnik?
Earlier this month, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said that he had tried to “persuade” former world Kramnik to be “less aggressive” in his unsubstantiated allegations about cheating in online chess regarding specific players. He added that FIDE did not receive anything from the Russian GM.
“Vladimir is a good friend. And we had a good relationship for many years. I always supported him. We all just feel that it (the cheating accusations) went in the wrong direction. I tried to persuade Vladimir Kramnik informally that he should be less aggressive. Not after what happened (with Daniel) but actually before the incident. A long time ago, since I felt that it’s a bit too much. I also asked him to provide the full methodology—a clear scientific foundation for the statistics—that he is using to air his hints or accusations. And we didn’t receive it from him. He promised to have a group of people who are dealing with fair play,” Dvorkovich said at a press round table with the media on the sidelines of the FIDE World Cup in Goa.
What has FIDE Deputy President Vishy Anand said?
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand also expressed disappointment on how his one time world championship rival Kramnik had behaved in his crusade to highlight suspicions on cheating online without giving concrete proof.
“To be honest, most of us are quite disappointed with how Kramnik has behaved in this matter, and we will take steps to take care of this. I don’t think there is any cause for unfounded allegations, and we will continue working on that,” Anand, who is also Deputy President with FIDE said last week. “But I don’t want to comment too much on what we are specifically going to do, because it is a matter which is going to the FIDE Ethics Commission.”
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