FIDE Probes Kramnik After Naroditsky Death

Daniel Naroditsky, a 29-year-old American grandmaster, New York Times columnist and head coach at Charlotte Chess Centre, died suddenly; the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed and FIDE has expressed condolences. FIDE says it is examining former world champion Vladimir Kramnik’s year-long public campaign accusing Naroditsky of online cheating and that it is looking into the matter while planning a special award. Naroditsky repeatedly denied wrongdoing, appeared visibly distressed in a now-deleted final Twitch broadcast, and peers said he was under 'immense stress' from online vitriol. Kramnik continued to post accusatory and cryptic messages, including a 'Don't Do Drugs' post after the death, and Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin publicly blamed him for driving Naroditsky to death and called for sanctions. Prominent figures in the chess community, including Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen, have condemned Kramnik’s conduct and urged FIDE to intervene. Kramnik has said he may take legal action against those blaming him and has offered to cooperate with any investigations.