International Chess Federation files official complaint against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik
The International Chess Federation has formally submitted a complaint against former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, who allegedly bullied late grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky "before and after" his death.
According to the complaint submitted to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission, Kramnik repeatedly made public allegations against Naroditsky as well as grandmaster David Navara for over a period of two years.
This comes about three weeks after FIDE announced it was deliberating whether to impose disciplinary sanctions against Kramnik. The organization was investigating Kramnik's relentless public criticism of Naroditsky, who was found dead in his home in October.
Last year, Kramnik repeatedly accused Naroditsky of cheating on online chess, which the American grandmaster helped boost with his educational YouTube videos and livestreams. In addition to his accusations, Kramnik also shared his unsubstantiated suspicions on social media.
Aside from Naroditsky, Kramnik also accused several others of cheating, including Czech grandmaster David Navara, in multiple social media posts he entitled "Cheating Tuesdays."
On Oct. 25, Kramnik, a Switzerland resident, asked the Geneva public prosecutor to launch an investigation on the "hundreds of terrifying private messages and public comments" people have been posting on social media against him and his family.
In its official complaint against Kramnik, FIDE addressed the former world champion's "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 complaint includes testimony from and information provided by Navara and those close to Naroditsky.
According to Yolander Persaud, chairwoman of the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission, once the respondent, Kramnik, is informed of the start of disciplinary proceedings, he has up to three weeks to submit his response along with any supporting documents. Once all materials are complete and have been reviewed, the EDC panel will deliberate privately before issuing a decision.
