Content warning: This article includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, help is available.

Earlier this week news broke of the passing of Daniel ‘Danya’ Naroditsky, a 29-year-old chess grandmaster and respected commentator in the chess community. Naroditsky’s family reported that his death was unexpected, describing him as a cherished figure deeply admired by fans and players worldwide.

His body was found by a friend, and police are awaiting toxicology results to confirm if it was an accidental overdose or suicide; there are no signs of foul play.

In the wake of his death, attention has turned to the serious cheating allegations Naroditsky faced in the chess world. He had spoken openly about these accusations during his final Twitch stream, expressing how they affected his mental health. The controversy largely stems from accusations made by Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion, who has been vocal about his concerns regarding cheating in chess.

Kramnik’s persistence in accusing Naroditsky of cheating has ignited a significant backlash within the chess community, with many notable figures, including Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, labeling Kramnik’s accusations as disgraceful.

Relaying Naroditsky’s treatment, Nihal Sarin commented on the immense pressure and pain the grandmaster faced due to relentless public scrutiny and unfounded claims.

The international chess federation, FIDE, has announced plans to investigate Kramnik’s conduct regarding these allegations and will refer them to its ethics and disciplinary committee.

In the fallout, Daniel’s mother, Elena Naroditsky, expressed deep sorrow, emphasizing her son’s commitment to his dignity as a player and the negative impact of the accusations on his life. “It’s a tragedy. He was my dearest son. He was 29,” she stated, reflecting her family’s grief over the loss.