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. Navara ends his letter with a demand of resignation of Arkady Dvorkovich as FIDE President.
In an article titled “We stand behind chess legend GM David Navara” the Czech Chess Federation condemns the allegations by Kramnik, “In today’s complex world, there are few certainties, but one of them is undoubtedly that David Navara does not cheat” and emphasizes “we fully express our support for our chess legend in the fight against these accusations“
The Czech Federation finishes with a strong statement – that Chessdom supports and will continue supporting with the means of freedom of speech and basic human values – and says, “We believe that FIDE should start to deal more intensively with false accusations of cheating, even indirect ones” Read the full statement below
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
Czech Chess Federation stands behind Navara
Dear chess friends,
You may have recently noticed a post from the fourteenth world champion Vladimir Kramnik. In his tweet, he published a list of players who are associated with cheating. The list also includes the multiple champion of the Czech Republic, Czech chess legend, grandmaster David Navara. The world champion from 2006-2007 does not directly accuse our legend, but the very publication of this topic in the list is beyond the pale and causes grandmaster Navara not only psychological harm.
The Czech Chess Federation completely objects to the inclusion of our legend’s name in the list above. In today’s complex world, there are few certainties, but one of them is undoubtedly that David Navara does not cheat. With this contribution, we fully express our support for our chess legend in the fight against these accusations, which, unfortunately, are becoming more and more frequent in today’s very turbulent times. We believe that FIDE should start to deal more intensively with false accusations of cheating, even indirect ones. Gens una sumus.
On behalf of the Czech Chess Federation, Ing. Josef Bednařík, PR Manager
Context (update 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.
