vladimir kramnik – Chessdom

The entire Nový Bor Chess Club stands firmly behind David Navara

Sergio — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 16:01:40 +0000

In a brave public act, David Navara explains in details what he went through after the baseless allegations of Kramnik. Navara describes the emotional torture by Kramnik’s allegations, the silence of FIDE, their posterior inadequate reaction and total disregard on basic FIDE ethical and moral values.

Messages of support continue pouring for David Navara. Yestreday we saw the Official Statement of Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club + Keti Tsatsalashvili , today Novy Bor Chess Club comments FIDE’s official statement on the Kramnik vs Navara case with, “The entire Nový Bor Chess Club stands firmly behind our player, David Navara. We greatly appreciate the clear stance taken by FIDE. Thank you for this statement, and we continue to offer David our full support.” Scroll down for the full Novy Bor post on Twitter/X

Timeline of events

23.05.2025 Navara publishes an open letter about Kramnik’s actions
23.05.2025 Reactions to Navara’s open letter – Aronian, Polgar, etc
23.05.2025 Navara and Kramnik to meet at FIDE World Rapid and Blitz
24.05.2025 David Navara, “I firmly believe that Mr Dvorkovich should resign”
24.05.2025 Kramnik, “I am deeply disappointed Navara participates in unjust PR campaign against me”
24.05.2025 Kramnik rage-blocks Chessdom over a comment on David Navara’s case
24.05.2025 Live: David Navara at French Top 16
25.05.2025 Kramnik admits to allegations, FIDE has grounds to act
25.05.2025 Open call to action for FIDE
26.05.2025 David Navara now has personal chess calendar
26.05.2025 Czech Chess Federation: We stand behind chess legend GM David Navara
28.05.2025 MrDodgy : “Kramnik bullies Navara, will he be satisfied if he ends in hospital or worse?”
29.05.2025 Emil Sutovsky : “I find Kramnik’s latest address to David Navara inhuman”
12.06.2025 David Navara: “When I heard Kramnik’s reaction, I slept really poorly”
26.06.2025 Official Statement of Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club + Keti Tsatsalashvili of support of David Navara
28.06.2025 Levon Aronian addresses Kramnik’s lawsuit threats towards David Navara
29.06.2025 FIDE addresses the Kramnik vs Navara case
29.06.2025 The entire Nový Bor Chess Club stands firmly behind David Navara
29.06.2025 Prague International Chess Festival thanks cFIDE for taking a clear stance on Kramnik vs Navara
04.07.2025 David Navara in an interview with Greg Mustreader
08.07.2025 Average centipawn loss vs Avereage Relative Centipawn loss in Kramnik vs Navara

David Navara and Novy Bor

The Novy Bor Chess Club, based in Nový Bor, Czech Republic, has won the European Chess Club Cup three times, in 2013, 2022, and 2024. Their most recent victory was at the 39th European Chess Club Cup in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, on October 26, 2024, where they secured gold with 13 match points, defeating the top-seeded SuperChess 3.5-2.5 in the final round. Key players included Vidit Gujrathi, who won a silver medal on board one, Pentala Harikrishna, Vincent Keymer, David Navara, Thai Dai Van Nguyen, David Anton Guijarro, Nils Grandelius, and Mateusz Bartel. The team, led by captain Petr Boleslav, has now earned nine European Club Cup medals (three gold, five silver, one bronze), making it one of the most successful clubs in the competition’s history.

The entire Nový Bor Chess Club stands firmly behind our player, David Navara. We greatly appreciate the clear stance taken by @FIDE_chess. Thank you for this statement, and we continue to offer David our full support. https://t.co/3NDfFbuzed
— Nový Bor Chess Club (@NovyBorChess) June 29, 2025

Context (28.05)

Kramnik is known to have published numerous articles and videos regarding cheating in chess. On multiple occasions he uses a small sample size. As a result, his conclusions may be perceived as accusations (this is the case in a multitude of well documented videos, articles, and opinions by experts here, here, here, here are just a few examples), allegations, or suspicions about cheating in chess, and even as insults to players’ professionalism. Despite how each individual perceives his words, on Chessdom, starting 25 May, we have adopted a term that Vladimir Kramnik used himself – allegations.

In accordance with established journalistic practices, we work with information and quotations from sources, including Kramnik himself. Kramnik has never contacted Chessdom via its official communication channel posted in the header of the website. Our attempt to contact Kramnik was futile and met with a swift block. The latest threats by Kramnik on social media leave little room for any good-faith discussions (further details to follow)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

FIDE on the Kramnik vs Navara case

Sergio — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 15:47:04 +0000

A little more than a month after the escalation of the scandal, FIDE has addressed the issue with an open statement. The FIDE Management Board says, “We wish to emphasize once again that throughout his chess career, GM Navara has earned an unquestionable reputation as a paragon of a fair play. The chess community is well aware that David is a person of a great sensitivity and integrity, particularly vulnerable to any implication of unfair play. Without entering into legal or stylistic analyses of the statements made, we believe that – above all – mutual respect and empathy among colleagues must take precedence. We are firmly convinced that the lawsuit against GM Navara should be withdrawn as soon as possible in the interest of the entire chess community. We sincerely hope that GM Kramnik will take this morally justified step, which we believe will be welcomed by the broader chess world.” Scroll down for the full statement of the FIDE Management Board. Earlier FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky in a personal message on his Twitter/X account said, “I find Kramnik’s latest address to David Navara inhuman”

Timeline of events

The highest governing body of chess @FIDE_chess publishes an open statement on the Kramnik vs David Navara casehttps://t.co/8bHejXMv4F
— Chessdom (@chessdom) June 29, 2025

FIDE Management board statement on the Kramnik vs Navara case

As the world governing body of chess, FIDE takes the issue of fair play – both OTB and online – very seriously, especially considering the current widespread popularity of online platforms and their impact on the growth and development of the game worldwide.

In this regard, the methods publicly proposed by GM Vladimir Kramnik deserve careful review and assessment for practical applicability. FIDE will establish a dedicated task force to evaluate these methods and invites GM Kramnik to present the details of his approach and statistical data for an official FIDE evaluation.

At the same time, we are gravely concerned that the way Mr. Kramnik presents his points brings a lot of harm to the chess community. Mr. Kramnik must recognize, that it is not just his opinion or questions – it is a very clear narrative, and coming from the former World Champion it could be ruinous for the careers and a very well-being of certain players.

The current discourse has significantly affected such a respected member of the chess community as GM David Navara and has now led to a defamation lawsuit being filed by GM Kramnik against GM Navara.

We wish to emphasize once again that throughout his chess career, GM Navara has earned an unquestionable reputation as a paragon of a fair play. The chess community is well aware that David is a person of a great sensitivity and integrity, particularly vulnerable to any implication of unfair play.

Without entering into legal or stylistic analyses of the statements made, we believe that – above all – mutual respect and empathy among colleagues must take precedence. We are firmly convinced that the lawsuit against GM Navara should be withdrawn as soon as possible in the interest of the entire chess community. We sincerely hope that GM Kramnik will take this morally justified step, which we believe will be welcomed by the broader chess world.

FIDE Management Board

FIDE statement on the situation involving GM Kramnik and GM Navara

As the world governing body of chess, FIDE takes the issue of fair play – both OTB and online – very seriously, especially considering the current widespread popularity of online platforms and their impact… pic.twitter.com/ETJfvPCncs
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) June 29, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

Levon Aronian addresses Kramnik’s lawsuit threats towards David Navara

Sergio — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 05:59:51 +0000

Levon Aronian was one of the first to react to the open letter of David Navara. Now that Kramnik is threatening Navara with a lawsuit in the public space, Levon Aronian tries to reason with Kramnik and says, “My dear friend, I want to share something I feel that I haven’t yet shared with you. The last few years after you retired I to my surprise saw a different Vlad that I never knew. Vlad that may be because the new chess world does not appreciate you enough ( sports fans and organizations, unfortunately, have a very short memory). A person who faced so much public pressure has turned against the chess world. Vlad, brother, ask all of your chess friends, nobody thinks that what you are doing is good and pure. You are fighting your own demons, and I can understand how much it drains you both mentally and physically. A long time ago I read somewhere that most of the murders are committed because of disrespect. Vlad, guys like Danya, and David are not the ones that you should be having a vendetta against. I love them for what they are, perhaps a bit introverted but lacking any side of evil in them.” And continues “I know you as the biggest revolutionary when it comes to chess. You challenged every single dogma and proved that you understand the core of chess like nobody before or after you. I ask you, as a friend who has always been open and honest to you, please, challenge your convictions. You think you are saving chess from cheaters, but most of us see you as the guy with the hammer who thinks everything is a nail. We are a family, we can’t go on suing or threatening each other for some weird online analysis that in most cases doesn’t make sense. We all have many friends in the world of mathematics, if you want, let’s unite everyone and make a proper unbiased analysis, but let us start from a fresh page.” See the full statement of Levon Aronian below.

Timeline of events

Dear @VBkramnik

Forgive me for addressing you publicly, but I feel that the chess world and the new generation need to know about who you are and I want you to remember it as well.

Vlad, you have always been an inspiration to me and to the majority of people who know you, as…
— Levon Aronian (@LevAronian) June 28, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

Official Statement of Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club of support of David Navara

Sergio — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 12:14:50 +0000

Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club, for which David Navara has played on multiple occasions in the past 20 years, says in an official statement, “Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club, a nine-time Polish Team Chess Champion, hereby expresses its strong protest against the conduct of Mr. Vladimir Kramnik, former World Chess Champion, towards our leading player, Grandmaster David Navara, who has represented our club with distinction for over twenty years. Any direct or indirect insinuation that a player supports or engages in chess activity in violation of fair play principles constitutes a grave accusation that should never be made lightly. […] Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club stands firmly behind Grandmaster David Navara, and will continue to support him — both in his professional chess career and in any other forum where he may be compelled to defend his good name and principles against unjust allegations.” Read the full statement below.

Keti Tsatsalashvili, a prominent member of Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club says, “I stand fully behind David, and I know many in the chess community do as well. Kramnik’s behavior has gone too far, and it needs to be stopped! […] These harmful accusations are unjust and harmful, and it is time we stand up against them.” Keti Tsatsalashvili adds, “David needs to know that the chess community stands behind him – not quietly, but visibly” Scroll down for the full statement of Keti Tsatsalashvili.

Timeline of events

Official Statement of Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club

Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club, a nine-time Polish Team Chess Champion, hereby expresses its strong protest against the conduct of Mr. Vladimir Kramnik, former World Chess Champion, towards our leading player, Grandmaster David Navara, who has represented our club with distinction for over twenty years.

Any direct or indirect insinuation that a player supports or engages in chess activity in violation of fair play principles constitutes a grave accusation that should never be made lightly. Casting aspersions on the integrity of a player’s games without providing concrete evidence or substantiated arguments is a reprehensible act, causing unjust harm to the individual concerned and to the broader chess community.

The act of initiating legal proceedings for the alleged violation of personal rights in a matter that one has oneself instigated is deserving of the utmost condemnation — particularly when such actions are undertaken by a former World Chess Champion, who should exemplify the highest standards of responsibility and integrity in the sport.

Grandmaster David Navara is an outstanding individual and an extraordinary chess player. Among fans and fellow grandmasters alike, he is universally recognized as a paragon of moral and ethical conduct.

Hetman GKS Katowice Chess Club stands firmly behind Grandmaster David Navara, and will continue to support him — both in his professional chess career and in any other forum where he may be compelled to defend his good name and principles against unjust allegations.

To My Teammate David Navara.#chess pic.twitter.com/ZfjWaX7HrW
— Keti Tsatsalashvili (@keti_chess) June 25, 2025

David needs to know that #chess community stands with him – not quietly, but visibly! pic.twitter.com/TflBm5IpVM
— Keti Tsatsalashvili (@keti_chess) June 25, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

David Navara: “When I heard Kramnik’s reaction, I slept really poorly”

Sergio — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 07:05:51 +0000

Currently David Navara is playing the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team 2025 for the team of Hetman GKS Katowice. In an interview for David Howell from Take Take Take, David Navara shares, “I am doing better […] but after I heard the reaction of GM Kramnik, I was sleeping very poorly and I was very stressed” Navara also adds, “I made it clear that his statistics should be investigated, it was published on Lichess and Chess.com so that everyone can see it” and jokes, “Today I made an incorrect queen sacrifice, I wonder if someone will accuse me of making the incorrect queen sacrifice? Hopefully not!” See the full interview of David Navara below. David Howell concludes the interview with, “David, I just want to say that I am such a big fan and supporter of yours, I think the whole chess world is on your side. I am glad you are doing better“

Timeline of events

David squared. A must-see for all the David Navara fans out there https://t.co/n5OW7YQzhw
— David Howell (@DavidHowellGM) June 12, 2025

A wave of support for David Navara The Czech Federation publishes strong message of support, says "FIDE should start to deal […] with false accusations of cheating, even indirect ones" Thank you for the strong statement @sachysvaz , David deserves!https://t.co/1qPyuEJtXV
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 26, 2025

David Navara https://t.co/0xcv4gbpce
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 29, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

Vladimir Kramnik admits to making allegations, FIDE has grounds to act [Update]

Sergio — Thu, 29 May 2025 08:31:59 +0000

Timeline of events

In a message on the social platform Twitter/X, Vladimir Kramnik has admitted to making allegations. Kramnik says,”You have confused me with your “notable player” Hikaru. I do not make “open unbased accusations” but “well argumented allegations” and ready to defend it.”

FIDE has rules about making allegations and have already acted on such. Russian Grandmaster and coach Evgeniy Solozhenkin accused Assaubayeva on several internet articles of cheating during the World Youth U14 Championship in Uruguay in September 2017. GM Evgeniy Solozhenkin was found to violate par. 2.2.11 of the FIDE Code of Ethics. GM Solozhenkin was suspended for making cheating allegations.

Assaubayeva’s family sued Solozhenkin for defamatory allegations made in public and in the media that offended Assaubayeva’s honor and dignity. The Moscow Appellate Court ordered Solozhenkin to apologize, disavow his allegations to the media, delete the defamatory articles, and pay a compensatory sum of 100 thousand rubles.

FIDE seems to have grounds to start a procedure in the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission against the allegations of Kramnik towards David Navara and a multitude of other players.

oopsie, despite lying for months, the witchfinder admits he is making "allegations"

fide has clear rules about this, when will they be enforced? pic.twitter.com/zVQ404hlpI
— MrDodgy (@ChessProblem) May 25, 2025

Dear @FIDE_chess , you have have grounds to act on the allegations by Kramnik. So far you have not done this for years. We ask every chess fan to remind you that you shouldhttps://t.co/jCB0pTBovb
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 25, 2025

We express our full support to David Navara The baseless accusations of Kramnik have to stop. He has to take responsibility for his actions, apologize to David Navara and to a long list of player for the harassment and emotional damage. https://t.co/SVMfN8if24
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 23, 2025

Context (update 28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

Emil Sutovsky : “I find Kramnik’s latest address to David Navara inhuman”

Sergio — Thu, 29 May 2025 07:22:18 +0000

The CEO of FIDE Emil Sutovsky appeared highly critical of Kramnik’s behavior towards David Navara and genuinely worried about the situation. “I really think it gets too far. No matter who is right legally […]” and calls the behavior of Kramnik outrageous and inhuman. Sutovsky ends with the most important, “Let us show some support for David. He needs it.” Read the full statement below.

Timeline of events

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky statement

“No, more than that. Inhuman. You might be in your right legally, or maybe you are not. But one has to go over the edge to attack like that a person who clearly exposed his major mental struggles. I really think it gets too far. No matter who is right legally, and whose wording was more (im)precise. There was nothing in this particular dispute, that is worthy of such an assault on a fragile person, let alone colleague. Let us show some support for David. He needs it.“

David Navara https://t.co/0xcv4gbpce
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 29, 2025

Dear @FIDE_chess , you have have grounds to act on the allegations by Kramnik. So far you have not done this for years. We ask every chess fan to remind you that you shouldhttps://t.co/jCB0pTBovb
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 25, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

MrDodgy : “Kramnik bullies Navara, will he be satisfied if he ends in hospital or worse?”

Sergio — Wed, 28 May 2025 18:24:00 +0000

MrDodgy points out, “Kramnik is still trying to bully Navara – will he only be satisfied when Navara ends up in hospital or worse?” And continues, “This is a deliberate harassment campaign against someone who has been open about his mental health struggles. There is only one person damaging Kramnik’s reputation“

Timeline of events

kramnik is still trying to bully navara – will he only be satisfied when navara ends up in hospital or worse?

this is a deliberate harassment campaign against someone who has been open about his mental health struggles. there is only one person damaging kramnik's reputation pic.twitter.com/A4LTWjPN7B
— MrDodgy (@ChessProblem) May 28, 2025

Context (28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.

More reactions to the open letter of David Navara and the answer of Kramnik

Sergio — Sun, 25 May 2025 09:55:51 +0000

The words of David Navara produced a resounding reaction through the chess world. Here is a second collection of reactions and a full timeline of the story

Timeline of events

Naka Make The Run!: The level of GAS LIGHTING by Kramnik is staggering.

The level of GAS LIGHTING by Kramnik is staggering. BUT what it reveals is a belief that you can lie & simultaneously maintain your royal position with no taint. pic.twitter.com/pxSnhoYNvE
— Naka Make The Run! (@Nakamaketherun) May 24, 2025

Thorsten Cmiel: They should also publish what EDC found in case of Carlsen – Niemann. The actual cases are the result we see with VK because some are more equal in the world of chess an can do whatever they want without being punished.

They should also publish what EDC found in case of Carlsen – Niemann. The actual cases are the result we see with VK because some are more equal in the world of chess an can do whatever they want without being punished.
— Thorsten Cmiel (@CmielThorsten) May 25, 2025

Naka Make The Run!: Tournaments must stop inviting Kramnik to play

I Think gm kramnik has turned into a half relevant chess asterisk. I see no correction to his lies until pressure from the chess community is felt. And tournaments must stop inviting Kramnik to play. His lies are stupidly transparent and moronically foolish https://t.co/OeidIFwzF6 pic.twitter.com/6nVJQZkGca
— Naka Make The Run! (@Nakamaketherun) May 24, 2025

MrDodgy: every single account defending kramnik has numbers in their name

every single account defending kramnik has numbers in their name
— MrDodgy (@ChessProblem) May 24, 2025

Mark Sheldon: The “extremely low probabilities” Kramnik quotes do not take any account of sample size, which is key to the calculation. Since he refuses to clarify, one can only assume that he either fundamentally misunderstands how statistics work or is simply misusing them maliciously. […] I am confident that no other player, not even Magnus, could damage Kramnik’s reputation any more than he has himself with his misuse of statistics & unwillingness to face criticism. The threat here is hollow: any Western court would quickly throw out such a case with prejudice.

The "extremely low probabilities" Kramnik quotes do not take any account of sample size, which is key to the calculation. Since he refuses to clarify, one can only assume that he either fundamentally misunderstands how statistics work or is simply misusing them maliciously.
— Mark Sheldon (@Zelandakh) May 24, 2025

Srinath Narayanan to Emil Sutovsky

Emil, in my experience, the procedure for making an ethics committee is so daunting that it by itself becomes a deterrent. But secondly, I don’t believe that an official ethics complaint by any particular player is required to take cognizance of Mr.Kramnik’s open accusations of fairplay violations against many notable chess players. https://ethics.fide.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Decision_Case_2_2023_final_final.pdf is a link to the ethics committee case filed by Fide fairplay commission against Mr.Carlsen. The offence made out was ‘Case 2/2023: “Alleged unfounded accusations of cheating and disparagement of the interests and good name of chess as a sport”. Given that Mr.Kramnik has made accusations and continues to make accusations against several notable top GM’s and continues to remain unapologetic about it, I don’t feel that it is necessary for one of the players to step up and make an ethics committee complaint. I feel that Fide can act if Fide wants to, one way or another, and it is high time that Fide does so.

https://twitter.com/ChessProblem/status/1926525750447874171

Kramnik rage-blocks Chessdom over a comment on David Navara’s case

Sergio — Fri, 23 May 2025 22:36:45 +0000

35 seconds. This is how long it took for Vladimir Kramnik to block Chessdom’s X account over a comment that he is “twisting facts again”

Yesterday, in a brave public act, David Navara explained in details what he went through after the baseless allegations of Kramnik. Navara described the emotional torture by Kramnik’s allegations, the silence of FIDE, their posterior inadequate reaction and total disregard on basic FIDE ethical and moral values. Navara ended his letter with a demand of resignation of Arkady Dvorkovich as FIDE President and provoked a massive reaction by the chess world.

Navara and Kramnik will be in the same playing hall for FIDE World Rapid and Blitz, which is a good place for Kramnik to seek apology from Navara for the emotional damage he caused. But Kramnik’s reply to Navara suggests he has no intention to do so. In a typical word-vomit display, Kramnik twisted the facts of the situation. Something that Chessdom pointed to him, and in a rapid fire move Kramnik blocked Chessdom’s account.

FIDE should act. Now. And Kramnik fully deserves the chess world's condemnation https://t.co/ImWwwB3elP @FIDE_chess
— Chessdom (@chessdom) May 23, 2025

Timeline of events

Context (update 28.05)

Regardless, we stand by accuracy, fairness, and independence of journalism and will continue reporting on the Kramnik – Navara case and its tremendous social importance.