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Vladimir Kramnik has spoken out after the death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, calling the 29-year-old's loss as a heartbreaking event while accusing critics for launching what he termed an "unprecedentedly cynical and illegal targeted harassment" against him and his family.

Kramnik's Statement

The 50-year-old ex-champion, who has faced widespread condemnation for accusing Naroditsky of digital foul play without evidence, expressed condolences but rejected any individual targeting.

"Regardless of our differences, I was the sole individual in the chess community who, observing through footage Daniel's obvious health issues a day before his death, openly urged for him to receive help," Kramnik declared. "The subsequent attempts, immediately following his passing, to explicitly connect this sorrowful incident to my name … violate every limit of fundamental human decency."

Kramnik asserted his earlier calls for a review of Naroditsky's digital games had been ignored "even with substantial proof", and claimed he would provide material to "any relevant authority". He noted his lawyers were drafting civil and criminal suits over "unfounded claims" that have resulted in dangers against him and his family.

Police Findings

The demise of the grandmaster may have been the consequence of substance overuse and is being investigated as a possible suicide, according to a police report issued last Thursday. A report from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department says Naroditsky was found dead Sunday evening and classifies the case as a "Death/suicide/overdose/Sudden/Natural Death Investigation."

"Last Sunday, October 19 at approximately 07:11pm, officers responded to an emergency medical request in the vicinity of Colin Crossing," the document states. "Upon arrival, an unconscious individual was located and later declared dead by a medic."

Community Reaction

Outrage regarding Kramnik's behavior has dominated the chess world. Grandmaster Nakamura described his actions "appalling", while five-time world champion Carlsen labeled it "terrible". GM from India Nihal Sarin, who faced Naroditsky in his final online match, accused Kramnik of "taking a life", saying his self-appointed pursuit against alleged rule-breakers was fruitless and "totally inappropriate".

Naroditsky's Legacy

A graduate of Stanford and former world youth champion, Naroditsky gathered more than 800k fans on Twitch and YouTube. Referred to as Danya, he was praised for his humor, clarity and humility, becoming a prominent figure in chess's COVID-period surge. He was also one of the world's finest players under rapid formats, placing ninth at last year's speed chess title event in New York.

Naroditsky repeatedly refuted the accusations but admitted the impact they had taken on his psychological well-being. "Since the Kramnik controversy, I feel like if I begin performing strongly, people suspect foul play," Naroditsky said in his final livestream.

Organizational Statements

The World Chess Federation announced recently it was "looking into" Kramnik's behavior. "The way Kramnik approaches it simply can't be accepted," Fide CEO Sutovsky commented. The organization intends to commemorate Naroditsky with a memorial award.

Federation president Dvorkovich later verified that all of Kramnik's official remarks about Naroditsky, before and after his death, would be referred to the federation's disciplinary body "for independent consideration".

"Life and human worth are core principles universally upheld," Dvorkovich emphasized. "Our global chess family has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, but such stature brings a duty to maintain the standards of equity and consideration."

Family's Hope

Naroditsky's relatives have said they wish he is recalled not because of the confrontation he faced but for "the joy and inspiration he brought people every day". Carlsen described him "an asset to chess", while Hikaru Nakamura described him as "among the finest".

• Within the United States, you can call or text the Suicide Prevention Hotline on 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to 741741 to reach a support specialist.
• In the UK and Ireland, The Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected].
• Across Australia, the emergency help line Lifeline is 13 11 14.
• Global support contacts can be found at befrienders.org.