The voices against former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik are uniting after the tragic death of American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. Kramnik, who had accused Naroditsky of cheating in online games and started an aggressive social media campaign against him, has been — both indirectly and directly — seen as responsible for what happened to the late 29-year-old.
A petition against the Russian Grandmaster has been created on the online platform Change.org and has already been signed by over 15,000 people in less than three days.
The petitioners are demanding that FIDE remove all of Kramnik’s titles and norms and hand him a ban. The petition, titled “Request FIDE ban Vladimir Kramnik, and revoke his titles/norms, per ethics standards,” is active and gaining momentum on different social media platforms.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich confirmed on Wednesday that the world chess body will probe all public statements made by former world champion “before and after” the tragic incident.
The petition also demands that the town hall in Asnières-sur-Seine, France, change the name of the street called “Rue Vladimir Kramnik” to “Rue Daniel Naroditsky.” Kramnik has a street named after him in France.
In his statement issued on Wednesday, FIDE president Dvorkovich admitted that public discussions on the chess forum can often lead to harassment, bullying or personal attacks. Dvorkovich also confirmed that the FIDE Management Board will lead all of Kramnik’s public comments about Naroditsky for inspection by the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission.
“In recent times, public debate within the chess world has too often moved beyond the boundaries of acceptable, harming not only people’s reputation but their very well-being. When this happens, discussions can turn into harassment, bullying, and personal attacks — a particularly serious concern in today’s environment. The chess community has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, and his contributions to our sport are undeniable. The same high standards that accompany great achievements, however, also confer a responsibility to uphold the principles of fairness and respect and to be ambassadors for the sport.
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“Therefore, I, along with the FIDE Management Board, will formally refer all relevant public statements made by GM Vladimir Kramnik — both before and after the tragic death of GM Daniel Naroditsky — to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for independent consideration,” wrote Dvorkovich.
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