‘Prevent him from…’ – Firstpost

The global chess community is mourning the
tragic death of American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away on October 19, just weeks before his 30th birthday. His untimely death has sparked both grief and anger across the chess world, with several top players accusing former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik of playing a role in Naroditsky’s mental well-being, ultimately leading to his demise.

Naroditsky, who was one of the most popular chess influencers and was also known as Danya, had faced cheating accusations from Kramnik on a regular basis since late 2024. Despite providing no evidence, Kramnik continued to question Naroditsky’s integrity. This allegedly took a serious toll on Naroditsky’s mental health, something he himself admitted during one of his final live streams on Twitch.

Erigaisi blames Kramnik for Danya’s death

Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi is the latest to join the bandwagon in calling Kramnik out for Naroditsky’s passing. Sharing a video from Naroditsky’s last stream, he requested that FIDE take action against the former Russian Grandmaster.

So heartbreaking💔
Isn’t this clip from Danya’s last stream more than good enough to understand how much his mental health was affected by the baseless accusations by Kramnik?@FIDE_chess Ethics Commission must step up and prevent Kramnik from playing with mental health of others pic.twitter.com/dOpBfz2N4f

— Arjun Erigaisi (@ArjunErigaisi) October 22, 2025

Filipino-American GM Wesley So also criticised Kramnik’s conduct, describing his response to the tragedy as “cold and heartless.” Other fellow Grandmasters, including Nihal Sarin and five-time World Champion
Magnus Carlsen, also blamed Kramnik for Naroditsky’s death.

The relentless, baseless accusations and public interrogations he faced in recent months caused him immense pressure and pain. This has to stop. When respected figures spread unfounded allegations without accountability, real lives are destroyed. (2/3)

— Nihal Sarin (@NihalSarin) October 20, 2025

Just to add my 2 cents. I think and in my opinion Kramnik’s response to Daniel’s passing was cold and heartless. I didn’t want to say anything in the beginning because it is not my place and Vlad has always been great towards me but things have gotten too far. In my personal view…

— Wesley So (@WesleySo_) October 23, 2025

Meanwhile,
Kramnik has urged the police to investigate the circumstances around Naroditsky’s death and claimed he shared some evidence as well. He also accused players who have spoken out of targetting him for exposing the “dark side” of modern chess and running an orchestrated PR campaign.

I have contacted the Charlotte police Department and asked them to investigate the death of Daniel, providing them some additional info . Hope will be done, and real truth about the curcumstances and cause of this tradegy will be revealed, despite all attempts to hide it

— Vladimir Kramnik (@VBkramnik) October 23, 2025