The death of 29-year-old US grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has left the chess world in shock. He was a popular figure among most of his fellow players, except former world champion Vladimir Kramnik who had accused him without evidence of cheating in online chess.
Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin, who was the last to play against Naroditsky, has slammed Kramnik for his 'baseless accusations', adding that he is 'almost directly responsible' for the US GM's death.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Nihal said, “He (Naroditsky) said he was under immense stress due to a lot of baseless accusations — headed by Kramnik, of course... I can totally imagine the pain he was going through and it has been going on for a very long time.”
Nihal agreed that cheating in chess is a 'huge problem', but added that Kramnik's response to it is 'completely unacceptable'. "He (Kramnik) just blurts out accusations every day… He was a world champion, a very influential figure after all. And I don’t know if he realises the impact it can have on innocent people. Kramnik’s methods, it seems like, you burn down a city to catch some cheaters, basically. You kill some thousand other completely innocent guys to get one or two guys,” he said.
The Indian GM added, "I don’t understand what you get from this? What do you get from ruining anyone’s life? Now, (Kramnik is) almost directly responsible for taking one.”
Nihal had earlier posted on X that he was 'completely heartbroken' by the tragic news. "Daniel was not just someone I played thousands of games with on @chesscom and @lichess - he was a brilliant mind and a gifted teacher," Sarin wrote on X.
"The relentless, baseless accusations and public interrogations he faced in recent months caused him immense pressure and pain. This has to stop. When respected figures spread unfounded allegations without accountability, real lives are destroyed," he said.
"Daniel's smile faded after the attacks began. We all saw it. The chess world has lost one of its brightest lights - someone who made our game accessible to millions. Rest in peace, Danya. You deserved so much better," he added.
Former world champion Viswanathan Anand also expressed his shock. "Really shocked at the passing away of GM Daniel Naroditsky. An excellent chess commentator and educator. A genuinely nice person. A life gone too soon. My deepest condolences to his family. The chess world will miss his presence," he posted on X.
