Vladimir Kramnik Banned a Year After Alleging Cheating

Mon Sep 14 2026 08:14:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

FIDE bans former world champion Vladimir Kramnik for a year after he publicly accused other players of cheating, including late grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.

The World Chess Federation has suspended former champion Vladimir Kramnik for 12 months following public accusations that other players were cheating. The ban will be fully enforced unless Kramnik breaches no further rules during a three‑year probation period. Kramnik has announced he will appeal the decision. The case is part of FIDE’s priority to combat cheating while ensuring allegations are processed through formal procedures.

Vladimir Kramnik Banned a Year After Alleging Cheating

FIDE has stopped former world champion Vladimir Kramnik for 12 months after he made repeated public accusations that other players were cheating. The federation said Kramnik violated its ethics code by accusing peers of cheating without using the established investigation channels.

Kramnik cited the late grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky among those he accused. Naroditsky, who was a popular figure on YouTube and Twitch, passed away last October at age 29 after an accidental drug overdose created an abnormal heartbeat.

The ban will be suspended for a 36‑month probation period. This means that if Kramnik does not commit further breaches, the suspension will effectively last only one year.

Kramnik has publicly announced his intention to appeal the decision. Prominent players, including Hikaru Nakamura, Magnus Carlsen and Nihal Sarin, have previously denounced Kramnik’s conduct.