Chess federation suspends former world champion who accused Naroditsky of cheating
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Chess’ international governing body suspended the former world champion on Friday Vladimir Kramnik for at least a year after making unproven allegations of cheating against other players Daniel NaroditskyWHO died last year 29 years old.
Kramnik accused Naroditsky of cheating last year and continued to share his suspicions on social media. Naroditsky, a prodigious chess player and American grandmaster who helped explode the game online with his instructional YouTube videos and livestreams, has denied the allegations.
Advertising
Kramnik said in an email to The Associated Press that he plans to appeal the suspension.
“I am absolutely sure that this unlawful decision will eventually be overturned, and I intend to pursue all necessary litigation to the end to restore justice and especially my reputation,” Kramnik said in a social media post.
The chess federation said Kramnik openly claimed “without sufficient evidentiary support” that he had cheated and violated its rules against cyberbullying.
The federation said tackling fraud was one of its priorities, but allegations must be dealt with through its procedures and supported by appropriate evidence.
Advertising
“It exposed identifiable players to unfair loss of reputation and undermined the safeguards established by the disciplinary framework,” federation representatives said in their decision.
Naroditsky found dead at his home in North Carolina in October. According to a report, he died due to abnormal heartbeat caused by accidental overdose. toxicology report.
Before his death, Naroditsky said that Kramnik’s allegations negatively affected him.
“Since the Kramnik events, I feel like if I start performing well, people will adopt the worst intentions. The problem is just the lasting effect of this,” Naroditsky said in his last live broadcast before his death.
Kramnik said Naroditsky’s death was a tragedy. He said there was a cynical campaign to link him to Naroditsky’s death without any factual basis.
