Chess Federation Investigating Former Champion Following Death of Daniel Naroditsky

In his final livestream, Naroditsky said he was still troubled by Kramnik’s accusations that he was cheating at chess.

Daniel Naroditsky plays chess at the computer in an undated photo released by the Charlotte Chess Center. Kelly Centrelli/Charlotte Chess Center via AP

Russian Chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik is under investigation by the international chess federation, FIDE, following the death of 29-year-old American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.

While Naroditsky’s cause of death has not been made public, FIDE will investigate “relevant public statements” by Kramnik, a former world champion who had publicly insinuated for over a year that Naroditsky and several other top players were cheating.

“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,” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement.

“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.

“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.”

In the wake of Naroditsky’s death, Kramnik—considered one of the best players in history—has faced public backlash and death threats on social media, along with calls for him to be stripped of his World Champion title. The 50-year-old said he will take legal action against anyone “falsely blaming” him for Naroditsky’s death in a Thursday post on X.

“First, I'll say that Naroditsky’s death is a great tragedy and a shock, including for me. We don’t know the circumstances of Daniel’s death. I believe the federation should investigate all the circumstances surrounding his passing,” he told Russian media outlet Match TV.

Naroditsky’s mother, Elena Naroditsky, told the Daily Mail the accusations had taken a psychological toll on the young chess star.

“Daniel tried to defend himself so much,” she said. “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.”

Naroditsky won the under-12 section of the World Youth Chess Championship in 2007, and earned the title of grandmaster years later at age 18.

He built a wide following livestreaming chess games and tutorials on Twitch and YouTube, and was a chess columnist for the New York Times and a Stanford graduate.

Naroditsky said the problem began when he casually mentioned a possible move while commentating on a live game, although he decided to play a different, more obvious move.

Kramnik, in a stream analyzing the game, insinuated that the move could not have been found in such a short time without the help of a computer. He later said that Naroditsky’s eyes appeared to be looking at something other than his computer screen.

Naroditsky denied Kramnik’s accusation concerning his unplayed move and said he thought that was just a joke at first. He said he was appalled to find that the allegations were being taken seriously.

“This is Salem witch trials-level delusional,” he said.

“What did I do to you,” he asked Kramnik, “besides treat you with respect, which I still do?”

Kramink said in the same stream that he was not making accusations, just asking “legit questions.”

Naroditsky later recorded a video of himself playing while using an eye-tracking device.

However, some world-class players continued to say that they believe the allegations.

Friends said the accusations brought immense pressure on Naroditsky.

“Daniel’s smile faded after the attacks began,” Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin recounted after Naroditsky’s death, in a post on X.

“We all saw it. The chess world has lost one of its brightest lights—someone who made our game accessible to millions.”

In his final livestream on Oct. 18, Naroditsky appeared erratic and troubled. After a couple of hours, a voice in the background told him to end the livestream and keep playing off-camera.

Naroditsky resisted at first, saying he was afraid it might look suspicious.

“The problem is, ever since the Kramnik stuff, if feel like I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions,” he said. “The issue is just the lingering effect of it.”

Other top players also expressed their support for Naroditsky.

American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura—ranked number two in the world—said he also faced allegations of cheating by Kramnik, beginning in November 2023. It had a “dramatic effect” on him, and caused him to play poorly in a tournament at that time, he said in a video commenting on Naroditsky’s death.

“If it had that effect on me, you can only imagine the effect it has on others,” Nakamura said.

Former world champion Magnus Carlsen said: “I thought the way [Kramnik] was going after Naroditsky was horrible.”

Carlsen said he had supported Naroditsky in private, but was reluctant to do so publicly for some reasons he didn’t specify. He also said he probably should have backed Naroditsky publicly.

Carlsen had previously accused American grandmaster Hans Niemann of cheating in September 2022. The accusation triggered a lawsuit from Niemann that resulted in a settlement in August 2023, with Carlsen publicly stating that no sufficient evidence of cheating was found.