D Gukesh Advocates Unity Amid Chess Cheating Controversy

D Gukesh's Stance on Chess Cheating Allegations

World champion D Gukesh has expressed his views regarding the ongoing discussions about cheating in chess. He openly disagreed with Vladimir Kramnik and emphasized the need for greater solidarity within the chess community. During a press conference prior to the Prague Chess event, the 19-year-old stated that he does not endorse many of Kramnik's recent claims. Kramnik has frequently addressed the issue of online cheating on social media.

Gukesh remarked, “I do not support most of Kramnik’s allegations. I believe there should be more harmony and peace in the chess world.” He further stated, “I am firmly against any form of unethical play. I have never engaged in such actions, and I sincerely hope that no one else does. This issue has become increasingly prevalent, and many individuals have been overly paranoid about cheating, amplifying the problem beyond its actual scale.”

FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich announced that Kramnik, who has been accused of making baseless claims against Naroditsky, will be referred to the organization’s ethics disciplinary committee. Kramnik has denied any allegations of bullying or insulting Naroditsky and intends to sue FIDE, claiming the organization is conducting a smear campaign against him. Naroditsky’s mother recently spoke out about how the campaign impacted her son emotionally following his passing.

In recent years, Kramnik, who claimed the world title from Garry Kasparov in 2000 and lost it to Vishy Anand in 2007, has frequently accused others of cheating. However, the evidence he provides is often vague and unconvincing. Kramnik suggested that Naroditsky frequently looked away from the board while making moves, implying he might have had a chess engine within his line of sight but off-camera.

Naroditsky was a grandmaster with a rating over 2600 and a blitz specialist, so he had nothing to prove. However, as Kramnik was his childhood idol, he felt compelled to defend his innocence. Unfortunately, the prolonged scrutiny took a toll on his health, and he appeared distressed in his final video last weekend.

One of Naroditsky’s last opponents, India’s Nihal Sarin, commented, “The relentless, baseless accusations and public interrogations he faced in recent months caused him immense pressure and pain. When respected figures spread unfounded allegations without accountability, real lives are destroyed.”