About this video

• Video Title: Владимир Крамник: об угрозах жизни, Народицком, шахматной мафии
• Channel: ChessMaster
• Speakers: Vladimir Kramnik, Maxim Amariov
• Duration: 02:00:07

Overview

This video features an interview with Vladimir Kramnik, the 14th World Chess Champion, where he discusses various controversial topics in the chess world. Kramnik touches upon accusations of cheating, the death of Daniel Naroditsky, threats against his life, his views on the "chess mafia," and his experiences with chess organizations and fellow players like Daniel Navara and Magnus Carlsen. He also shares his perspective on the state of modern chess, the importance of integrity, and his ongoing efforts to combat cheating.

Key takeaways

• Concerns about Cheating: Kramnik expresses strong concerns about cheating in online chess, particularly in blitz and rapid formats, and criticizes chess federations and platforms for not taking sufficient action.
• Daniel Naroditsky's Death: Kramnik shares his shock and grief over the recent death of Daniel Naroditsky, reflecting on their last conversations and his belief that something was amiss in Naroditsky's final days. He questions the circumstances surrounding his death and criticizes the initial lack of investigation.
• "Chess Mafia" and Disinformation: Kramnik alleges the existence of a "chess mafia" that manipulates public opinion and spreads disinformation through controlled media channels to protect its interests.
• Personal Threats and Legal Action: Kramnik reveals that he has received numerous threats due to his anti-cheating activities and has been forced to take legal action against those involved in defamation campaigns.
• Distrust in Chess Organizations: Kramnik voices significant distrust in chess governing bodies like FIDE and Chess.com, accusing them of inaction, hypocrisy, and prioritizing public relations over addressing serious issues like cheating.
• Critique of Chess Culture: Kramnik laments the current state of chess culture, describing it as increasingly superficial, driven by PR, and lacking in genuine integrity, which he believes is damaging the game's legacy.
• Experiences with Other Players: Kramnik addresses his interactions and conflicts with players like David Navara and Nakamura, explaining his perspective on their disputes and the broader implications for the chess community.
• Personal Sacrifices: Kramnik highlights the personal toll his anti-cheating campaign has taken, including financial strain, public backlash, and threats to his family, but he remains committed to his cause.

Vladimir Kramnik expressed deep sorrow and sympathy regarding Daniel Naroditsky's situation and passing. He mentioned:

• Shock and Grief: Kramnik described the news of Naroditsky's death as a "blow and a shock," and admitted to feeling a sense of "anger" and taking it "very close to heart."
• Pre-existing Concerns: He revealed that just hours before learning about Naroditsky's death, he had spoken with another chess player about Naroditsky's final stream, expressing that "something urgently needed to be done" and that the situation was "very dangerous." He felt ignored when he previously posted tweets drawing attention to the issue.
• Questions about the Circumstances: Kramnik raised several questions about the events leading up to Naroditsky's death, such as why no doctor was called and why he was left alone. He also noted the suspicious deletion of all of Naroditsky's streams the day before his death and questioned the police investigation's assumptions.
• Humanitarian Concerns: He stated that if he had known something so tragic could happen, he would have acted differently, not necessarily because he believed he was wrong, but out of human compassion. He felt a sense of responsibility for not being able to help more.
• Rejection of Blame: While acknowledging that he feels responsible in a broader sense, Kramnik firmly rejected the idea that he was solely to blame for what happened to Naroditsky. He argued that many others, including chess organizations, also failed to act when they could have.