The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has launched an investigation into a Russian chess grandmaster following the untimely death of American chess player Daniel Naroditsky.

The news of Naroditsky’s death at the age of 29 was confirmed on Monday through a statement issued by his club, the Charlotte Chess Center.

In the wake of this tragic event, FIDE has revealed that they will be looking into statements made by Vladimir Kramnik concerning Naroditsky. The investigation will focus on Kramnik’s comments.

Vladimir Kramnik, 50, accused Naroditsky and several other players of employing ‘chess engines’—computer programs that suggest optimal moves for online games.

Kramnik, who held the world champion title from 2000 to 2006, had been publicly criticizing Naroditsky for the past year.

In an official statement, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich emphasized, “Human life and dignity are fundamental values we all share. While we deeply cherish and respect chess as a unifying force in our community, these values must always take precedence.”

Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky’s sudden death at age 29 has stunned the online chess community, as he was haunted by cheating accusations from a former world champion 

Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik accused Naroditsky and others of using ‘chess engines’ to cheat in online games

‘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.

‘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.

‘At the same time, I reaffirm that FIDE will take appropriate action in any case where a lack of respect, public harassment, or bullying is observed within the chess community. 

‘We all share responsibility for ensuring that our sport remains a space of integrity, respect, and humanity — values that must always prevail over hostility and division’.

According to USA Today, Naroditsky had denied any wrongdoing in regard to Kramnik’s claims and told his online following that the claims had taken a toll on him.

‘Ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions. The issue is just the lingering effect of it,’ Naroditsky said during a Twitch livestream.

The investigation comes as several grandmasters, including Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin, have called out Kramnik’s conduct, saying the Russian pro had harassed Naroditsky and tried to destroy his reputation.

The International Chess Federation have confirmed they will investigate Kramnik’s comments

Naroditsky, a California native and Stanford graduate who won junior and youth tournaments as a child, made a splash in the chess world which allowed him to publish a book titled ‘Mastering Positional Chess’ when he was just 14

Five-time world chess champion Magnus Carlsen called Kramnik’s relentless pursuit of Naroditsky ‘appalling.’

However, in a statement to Reuters, Kramnik defended his comments and insisted that he never made ‘personal insults’ to Naroditsky. 

He told the wire service: ‘What public statement after the death of Daniel was incorrect? … I demand clarification from Mr. President. 

‘I have not bullied Daniel Naroditsky, nor ever made personal insults towards him’.

Kramnik also claimed that he had received death threats and damaging statements towards him from within the chess community.

It’s not the first time Kramnik has been accused of harassment. The popular internet chess server Chess.com shut down Kramnik´s blog on the site in 2023, saying he had used it to spread baseless allegations about ‘many dozens of players.’

The following year, Kramnik published a list of players on social media with the title ‘Cheating Tuesdays’ that included Czech grandmaster David Navara. Navara later shared on his blog that Kramnik´s public accusations had pushed him to consider suicide. Kramnik responded by accusing Navara of defamation.

Naroditsky’s success at a young age brought opportunities such as meeting MLB players Andrew Brown and Huston Street of the Oakland Athletics in the clubhouse before a game

In June, the federation responded to the players’ public spat, saying the way Kramnik presents his arguments ‘brings a lot of harm to the chess community,’ and ‘could be ruinous for the careers and well-being of certain players.’ 

The group invited Kramnik to present the details of his approach and statistical data for official evaluation.

Kramnik’s anti-cheating crusade exploded with the game’s shift online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Naroditsky, a California native and Stanford graduate, achieved his grandmaster title when he was just 18-years-old in 2013. He played in five U.S Championships and won junior and youth tournaments.

As well as an accomplished chess player, Naroditsky was also a popular online chess content creator. He published a book titled ‘Mastering Positional Chess’ when he was just 14 in 2010.

Fellow grand master Oleksandr Bortnyk discovered Naroditsky’s when he went to his home in Charlotte to check on him

His videos helped him grow his online audience to 340,000 followers on Twitch and just short of 500,000 on YouTube.

The No. 1 ranked American chess player Hikaru Nakamura was among those to pay tribute to Naroditsky.

He said: ‘I’m devastated. This is a massive loss for the world of chess.’ 

In a statement on social media, the International Chess Federation said: Daniel Naroditsky passed away. He was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator. FIDE extends its deepest condolences to Daniel’s family and loved ones.’