Latest news with #Kramnik
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Ex-World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, ‘the guy with the hammer who thinks everything is a nail'
It's been a long few days in the world of chess. The issue of cheating in the sport is back in the headlines with a former world champion accusing another grandmaster of being up to no good. Courts have been dragged in to adjudicate with one player suing the other for slander. Only, this time around, there's a twist: unlike the Magnus Carlsen vs Hans Niemann incident, where Niemann sued the former world champion for implying that he had cheated, this time around it's former world champion Vladimir Kramnik who is doing both, the accusing and the suing, after dragging grandmaster David Navara to court. This is the latest step taken by Kramnik in his infamous crusade to weed out cheating in online chess, a fight that the Russian seems to have dedicated significant mindspace to over the last couple of years. Kramnik posts data on his X account implying that there was something fishy in the way many grandmasters were competing in online games. It's a fight that has gained Kramnik no admirers, at least not publicly. The most recent grandmaster to try and coax Kramnik to see the light of reason is Levon Aronian, who's now posted three long emotion-laced posts on X aimed at a man who he calls his 'chess parent', each post displaying the delicate tact a hostage negotiator would ideally employ. 'Volodya, my friend,' Aronian exhorts in one of his posts on X aimed at Kramnik using the Slavic name for Vladimir. 'Perhaps my letter will seem disrespectful and inappropriate to you. But my goal is one. Let's reduce the intensity of passions… You think you're saving chess from cheaters. But most of us see you as the guy with the hammer who thinks everything is a nail,' Aronian says at one point. Over the course of his three posts, Aronian tries multiple tacts. Telling Kramnik that he's a great champion and amateurs do not deserve the attention he's given them in his YouTube breakdowns ('the king of beasts is engaged in catching mice'). Trying to convince Kramnik how much the world would benefit from an analysis of his own tactics from his world championship duels instead. Reminding the Russian how he was himself bullied by Veselin Topalov and his team, who accused Kramnik of being up to no good because he visited the toilet too many times (an incident known popularly as Toiletgate) during their World Championship battle in 2006. Trying to reason with him by saying that the sport is a family and kin cannot go around suing each other. And finally, telling him that no one who's close to him in the sport thinks what Kramnik is doing is 'good and pure'. 'Chess world does not appreciate you enough… I feel the chess world and the new generation need to know about you… about who you are,' Aronian writes at one point. 'And I want you to remember it as well.' There, Aronian praises the Russian for being the 'biggest revolutionary when it comes to chess… who challenged every single dogma' in the sport. That's precisely how chess fans of a certain vintage will remember the Russian. As the man who resuscitated the abandoned Berlin Defence at the 2000 World Championship to nullify the attack of Kasparov so completely that the reigning world champion, with a voracious appetite for bulldozing through defences, ended with zero wins. He was the immovable object in front of Kasparov's unstoppable force of an attack. He could fluster Kasparov, the most intimidating man in the sport. Kramnik was built differently. When he first emerged on the global stage at the Manila Olympiad in 1992 rocking long hair, spectacles, a tucked in short-sleeved shirt, the tall Kramnik looked like a rockstar cosplaying as a laboratory assistant. If Kasparov, his predecessor on the world champion's throne, vroomed to a game in a Mercedes, Kramnik probably took the bus. He was always outspoken and an independent thinker, even if it meant rubbing people the wrong way. He was never quite taken in by the trappings that come along with being world champion. Like fame or money. What the world thought about him was also never a concern. 'For me, what I think of myself is more important than what society thinks. That may sound arrogant, but I have my own views and don't care about the views of the public,' Kramnik told the editor of New In Chess magazine before he squared off against Kasparov in 2000. 'My approach to chess is different. For most other chess players, chess is purely a sport, for me, it's more of a scientific activity.' It's this ability to stay unmoved by the world's perception of him that helped him retain his title against Topalov when the Bulgarian and his entourage tried to raise questions about his own integrity in the Toiletgate scandal. It's also what's helping him stay on course with his current allegations of cheating in chess despite the rest of the world disagreeing with him. Before Topalov in 2006, it was the 2000 world championship battle against Kasparov that established Kramnik's place in history. Not just as Kasparov's nemesis or his antithesis. He was Kasparov's kryptonite, a man who would beat the Russian legend, who was actually his mentor at the Botvinnik-Kasparov School, and then shrug it off as no big deal. Unlike others, beating Kasparov was not an achievement for him. 'It has always surprised me when people get so hung up about a victory over Kasparov,' he once told New in Chess when he was just 21, not even a world champion. 'Then it seems as if it happened by accident. I don't believe I defeated Kasparov by accident. The idea that Kasparov is so exceptional is a myth created by journalists.' In the same interview, Kramnik proceeded to go on multiple tirades. There was one rant about chess becoming too commercial. Then, another rant about how the chess players of his generation were playing 'substandard' chess. At some point he says that he wasn't a good player, but other players were even worse. Now compare those comments to the ones he made about Gukesh and Ding Liren during last year's world championship, where he excoriated both players for their level of chess. Those criticisms earned him the wrath of the two most populous nations of the world. But for Kramnik, he was probably just measuring both players by the standards he set for himself in his playing days. A few years after that interview about chess becoming too commercial, he finds himself facing Kasparov in that 2000 World Championship where the prize fund is an eye-watering $2 million. A 24-year-old Kramnik responds to that by declaring that he would have played for free. At another point in his career, when he played Peter Leko in 2004 for the title, Kramnik came under some criticism for playing out short draws. In an interview, it was put to him that the fans would have wanted to see more chess. It was then that he memorably exclaimed: 'A painter never asks people what they want to see. He just paints.' Even with his chess, as with his opinions and convictions, Kramnik was not playing to the gallery. He was playing chess as he deemed fit. The world may criticise him as a man with a hammer hell-bent on hitting every nail on its head. But there can be no reduction in the intensity of his passions.
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First Post
7 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Explained: Former world champion Kramnik's legal threat rocks chess world, forces FIDE to intervene
Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik has sent shockwaves through the chess world by filing a lawsuit over allegations made by Czech grandmaster David Navara. As the controversy escalates, FIDE has been forced to step in. read more A lawsuit filed by former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has rocked the sport, divided opinions and forced the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to intervene. The 14th undisputed World Chess Champion, Kramnik, 50, has filed a civil defamation lawsuit against Czech Grandmaster David Navara, and news outlet Chessdom in Geneva. Kramnik filed the lawsuit after public clashes with the defendants over cheating allegations. Why Kramnik filed lawsuit against Navara, The controversy began when Kramnik suggested that Navara may have cheated during online games, however, he did not present any hard proof. In response, Navara published an open letter titled Because We Care on on May 23, 2025. In the letter, Navara accused Vladimir Kramnik of spreading toxic commentary and causing him significant psychological harm. Russia's Kramnik has denied the allegations, calling them false and claiming they were never corrected despite multiple requests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The day after the letter's publication, published a series of articles that echoed Navara's accusations and further depicted Kramnik as hostile and provocative. In his legal complaint, Kramnik highlights a podcast by New in Chess, alleging that some of Navara's original statements were later edited without acknowledgment. However, no public correction or clarification was issued. Kramnik claims the resulting media fallout led to threats against him and the cancellation of at least two professional commitments. Aronian asks Kramnik to withdraw lawsuit Meanwhile, American chess Grandmaster and former world rapid and blitz champion, Levon Aronian, recently asked Kramnik to withdraw his lawsuit as it is based on online analysis that 'doesn't make sense'. 'We are a family," Aronian wrote on X. 'We can't go on suing or threatening each other for some weird online analysis that in most cases doesn't make sense." 'Let us start from a fresh page." 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 FIDE condemns Kramnik's legal action The FIDE reacted to Kramnik's legal action on Sunday, announcing the formation of a task force to evaluate anti-cheating methods proposed by Kramnik. They also invited him to present his ideas for review. However, FIDE condemned the legal action by Kramnik against Navara, who was described as 'paragon of a fair play' by the governing body in its statement, as it asked the former Russian player to withdraw the lawsuit. '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,' FIDE's statement read. '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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ❗️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… — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) June 29, 2025 '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.'
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Drama! FIDE slams Vladimir Kramnik's defamation lawsuit against David Navara: 'Brings a lot of harm to chess community'
Chess Grandmasters Vladimir Kramnik (Photo byfor World Chess) In a strongly worded statement, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has weighed in on the escalating controversy involving former World Champion GM Vladimir Kramnik and Czech GM David Navara, expressing deep concern over the fallout and urging a return to mutual respect within the chess community. FIDE reiterated its commitment to fair play in both over-the-board and online formats, acknowledging the growing influence of online platforms in shaping modern chess. The governing body confirmed the formation of a dedicated task force to review the statistical methods proposed by Kramnik for detecting possible cheating. FIDE has invited Kramnik to present his data for official evaluation but warned that his public commentary has been damaging. 'We are gravely concerned that the way Mr. Kramnik presents his points brings a lot of harm to the chess community,' the statement read. 'Coming from the former World Champion, it could be ruinous for the careers and well-being of certain players.' FIDE stood firmly behind GM David Navara, describing him as a 'paragon of fair play' and a player with 'great sensitivity and integrity.' The organization emphasized that Navara is especially vulnerable to reputational harm and psychological stress caused by public accusations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo The controversy reached new heights when Kramnik filed a civil defamation lawsuit in Geneva, not only against Navara but also against and news outlet Chessdom, following public clashes over online cheating allegations. In response, respected Armenian GM Levon Aronian published an emotional open letter to Kramnik, pleading for reconciliation and reflection. 'Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me for addressing you publicly,' Aronian wrote. Describing Kramnik as one of his 'chess parents,' Aronian recalled his admiration for Kramnik's resilience and brilliance — but urged him to reconsider the legal path. 'You are fighting your own demons,' he said. Echoing that sentiment, FIDE concluded its statement by urging Kramnik to withdraw the lawsuit: 'We sincerely hope that GM Kramnik will take this morally justified step, which we believe will be welcomed by the broader chess world.' Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIDE says way Vladimir Kramnik presents his points (on cheating in chess) brings a lot of harm to the community
The international governing body of chess, FIDE, has said that it is 'gravely concerned' about the way former world champion Vladimir Kramnik was choosing to presents his points about cheating in chess even as it announced that it will establish a dedicated task force to evaluate the Russian's allegations. Kramnik recently filed a defamation lawsuit against the online chess platform chess news organisation chessdom and Grandmaster David Navara. Navara had written an open letter on May 23 after cheating insinuations from the Russian. In that letter, Navara wrote how he lost sleep after reading the comments from the former world champion and went into depression and had to take professional help from a psychiatrist and a psychotherapist. Now, FIDE too has told Kramnik that 'he must recognise 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.' 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.
Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘I'll take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY Slanderer': Kramnik escalates chess feud after Aronian's emotional appeal
After Levon Aronian's emotional open letter urging Vladimir Kramnik to seek reconciliation through 'unity and proper, unbiased analysis,' the Russian chess legend has issued a fiery response with doubling down on his legal battles and condemning the chess world's 'hypocrisy.' The 14th World Chess Champion, whom Aronian considers one of his 'chess parents,' launched a scathing critique: 'The modern chess world is mired in hypocrisy, duplicity, and has lost the most basic moral principles. In fact, we could even remove the word 'chess' from that sentence…,' said Kramnik. Kramnik's stance comes amid his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Chessdom, and GM David Navara. This legal offensive directly contradicts Aronian's plea ('We are a family; we can't keep suing over questionable online analyses'), with Kramnik saying, 'I will take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY slanderer. I'll make them answer for their words and deeds if they refuse to understand any other language.' The former world champion framed his actions as self-defence, citing decades of enduring 'dirty PR attacks and slander' and made clear he no longer intends to show restraint. Allow me to also publicly address you (one of the few people in today's chess world for whom I still have respect and any desire to explain anything) and speak the truth 'to your face,' hoping to 'get through' to you. The modern chess world is mired in hypocrisy, duplicity, and has lost the most basic moral principles. In fact, we could even remove the word 'chess' from that sentence… You know the reason — it's as old as the world itself: 'the metal for which people kill,' and on which a certain well-known structure 'calls the shots' (you're one of the few remaining people in chess who would understand this reference without needing to visit [Chagdzhipiti]). This entire choir of obedient orchestra members is ready to play whatever music they're told at the wave of a certain conductor's baton. That's their bread. 'Love comes and goes, but hunger is constant'… And to drown out the (still troubling to some) inner voice of conscience, they convince themselves and each other of their 'moral righteousness,' ignoring reality and facts. As one of the classics once said, 'The measure of a person is their ability to accept the truth.' Some ancient Greek also said something in his allegory of the cave, by the way. Though that was long ago, and who cares about him with his small number of 'followers' and modest financial success. Unlike, say, Levy Rozman, for example… I've never cared for the opinion of the 'crowd' or the 'in-crowd,' because I know its worth. As do you, for that matter. This 'opinion' is crafted by those who exploit those content to spend their whole lives in a cozy cave, all for financial gain. And without a doubt, they despise and mock their obedient 'flock' among themselves. Reread The Grand Inquisitor — the genius understood everything back then and explained it to us all (for those capable of understanding). You, Levon, understand perfectly well — as do many strong chess players (several of whom I've corresponded with) — the scale of cheating in modern online chess. Левону алаверды :) — Vladimir Kramnik (@VBkramnik) June 28, 2025 If you spent even a fraction of the time I've devoted to collecting and analyzing data, you'd immediately double your estimate. But even without that, you know (let's be honest, just between us) the true nature of some 'online talents' and their so-called successes (I rather liked that euphemism I saw online). In my ethical framework, it's hard to imagine a more despicable theft than, say, dining with a friend, excusing yourself for a moment, and rifling through their coat pocket to steal a couple hundred bucks. Yet this is exactly what's happening in chess regularly. And everyone watches calmly, pretending not to notice. I couldn't care less how the 'chess world' perceives these scoundrels—who, to call a spade a spade, are pickpocketing their colleagues. The 'Daddy' enabling this farce keeps organizing new tournaments, compensating, ensuring no one starves. He's generous, after all—we'll tolerate it. And if push comes to shove, we'll steal from someone's pocket ourselves; nearly everyone does it, so why not? Even the 'boss' turns a blind eye, even encourages it… And if the 'boss' demands it, we'll even sign an angry, dishonest letter. Who dares name the thieves and villains aloud? They're our thieves and villains… Rules are rules: hands off our beloved 'Daddy.' As the classics say, 'Where else would I get my bread?' Forgive me, dear sirs, but my conscience matters more than the 'opinion of the in-crowd.' I won't betray my principles for their favor. Now, irony aside — facts, only facts. For years, nearly the entire chess world has silently watched what is, without exaggeration… The large-scale mockery directed at me only grows more intense with each passing day. It has now tripled in force as 'Daddy,' facing exposure, has sent his entire 'royal army' to defend their generous monarch. Many, like the 'genius of home blitz' who plays for forty hours straight without any decline in quality, are clearly acting with full awareness. Another 'genius,' Daddy's loyal friend and ally, follows the orders of his soul — and that soul commands him to commit any misdeed, insult anyone, and act rudely whenever financial interests are at stake. After all, they're all obedient boys. They'll swallow it… And they'll even praise him publicly, shake his hand, and smile (while secretly despising him, of course). They know Daddy will cut them off from the trough quickly if they step out of line, so 'everything is under control.' Some, like a certain Eastern European 'darling,' might even be sincere. In battle, all means are fair—shameless lying is acceptable, and when caught, playing the innocent victim is the next move. The conductor will support them, the orchestra will chime in as needed — gens una sumus… Slander, vile insults, and blatant, provable lies flow like a river from the sweet lips of Daddy's lackeys and those eager to take their place 'in the sun' — pardon my French. All this happens under the deafening silence of the 'highly moral lambs,' many of whom would even defend the slanderers just to please 'public opinion' — an opinion shaped by influencers sitting on Daddy's payroll. I have too much dignity to play the victim, unlike many in the chess world, even though I have ten times more objective reasons to do so than anyone else. Nor do I have the slightest desire to participate in this fake, hypocritical game where anything goes — slander, lies, stealing from colleagues — as long as you never speak the truth. Daddy doesn't like that… he might punish you. And so, I will continue my efforts to change the chess world in accordance with my conscience and principles, no matter what anyone says. I'm no stranger to being the target of dirty PR attacks, slander, and underhanded tactics – I faced similar smears twenty years ago. That experience gave me some immunity. But from now on, I will take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY slanderer. I'll make them answer for their words and deeds if they refuse to understand any other language. As we've seen in this ongoing saga, polite appeals for people to stop lying and scheming don't work. I will defend myself and my family no matter how many collective 'open letters' they publish in the style of 'haven't read it but condemn it.' The time has come to expose 'Daddy' and his cronies. To rid the chess world of this infection. Judging by everything, it won't be much longer now. With respect and friendly regards, Vladimir (Note: This letter was translated from Russian to English; it might have a few inaccuracies)
