Vladimir Kramnik denies wrongdoing in death of US chess star Daniel Naroditsky

Vladimir Kramnik has broken his silence following the death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, calling the 29-year-old’s passing a tragedy while accusing critics of mounting an “unprecedentedly cynical and unlawful campaign of harassment” against him and his family. The 50-year-old former world champion, who has faced widespread condemnation for accusing Naroditsky of online cheating without evidence, expressed condolences but denied any personal attacks. “Despite the tensions in our relationship, I was the only person in the chess community who, noticing on video Daniel’s obvious health issues a day before his death, publicly called for him to receive help,” Kramnik wrote in a statement on X.