Daniel Naroditsky’s Death: Petition To Ban Russian GM Vladimir Kramnik Gains Heat

Last Updated:October 25, 2025, 10:00 IST

Over 15,000 have signed a petition urging FIDE to act against Vladimir Kramnik after Daniel Naroditsky's death, which is being investigated for a possible suicide or drug overdose.

FIDE has formally referred all relevant public statements made by Vladimir Kramnik before and after Daniel Naroditsky's death to the body's Ethics and Disciplinary Commission for review. (AP Photo)

Over 15,000 people have signed a Change.org petition to take strict action against Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik after the tragic death of his American counterpart, Daniel Naroditsky. The petitioners accuse Kramnik of making ‘insensitive, speculative, and damaging’ remarks about Naroditsky on social media.

The family of Naroditsky, 29, had given no reason for his death in their initial statement on October 20, though they labeled it ‘unexpected’. Police are reportedly investigating a possible suicide or drug overdose.

Titled #JusticeForDanya, the campaign demands Kramnik’s suspension and the removal of FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky, whose recent comments have been branded ‘vile, disgusting and cruel.’ The petition urges FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission to invoke Articles 10–14 of its code to open proceedings, suspend Kramnik provisionally, and even revoke his titles if found guilty of violating ethics standards.

The document alleges Kramnik breached multiple clauses of FIDE’s Ethics & Disciplinary Code, including those concerning human dignity, integrity, and accountability. It argues his public posts questioning the circumstances of Naroditsky’s passing caused “harm not only to the memory of a beloved grandmaster but also to the emotional well-being of the chess community."

The petition also appeals for symbolic gestures, such as renaming “Rue Vladimir Kramnik" in Asnières-sur-Seine, France, to “Rue Daniel Naroditsky." Supporters like chess streamer Anna Cramling have voiced solidarity.

“I think we should all be a little bit more like Daniel Naroditsky," she wrote — while Grandmaster Wesley So questioned the moral toll of the controversy: “Would it be worth it to ruin a beautiful young life over a game?"

Calling for accountability and compassion, the petition concludes: “When the world loses someone like Daniel, there should be nothing more afforded than kindness, patience, love, and understanding."

Recently, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich announced that the world chess body will investigate all public statements made by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik before and after Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky’s death.

Acknowledging Kramnik’s contributions to chess, Dvorkovich stressed that “great achievements also confer a responsibility to uphold fairness and respect." He added that recent debates in the chess world have crossed ‘acceptable boundaries,’ leading to harassment and personal attacks.

News sports Daniel Naroditsky’s Death: Petition To Ban Russian GM Vladimir Kramnik Gains Heat

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