FIDE calls on Kramnik to withdraw lawsuit against Navara

 FIDE emphasizes that it takes the issue of fair play—both over-the-board and online—extremely seriously, especially given the growing popularity of online platforms and their impact on the development of chess globally.

According to FIDE, the methods publicly proposed by Kramnik deserve careful review and evaluation for practical applicability. To that end, the organization plans to establish a dedicated task force to examine these methods and has invited Kramnik to submit detailed explanations and statistical data for official assessment.

At the same time, however, FIDE expresses grave concern over the way Kramnik has chosen to present his views. The federation warns that this is not simply a matter of personal opinion or innocent questions—it is a clear narrative which, coming from a former World Champion, can be devastating for the careers and personal well-being of certain players. In its statement, FIDE points out that the current discourse has seriously affected David Navara, a respected figure in the global chess scene, ultimately leading Kramnik to file a defamation lawsuit against him.

FIDE also explicitly reaffirms Navara’s standing: throughout his career, he has built an unquestionable reputation as a paragon of fair play. The chess world knows him as a person of great sensitivity and integrity, particularly vulnerable to any implication of cheating.

Without entering into legal or stylistic analysis of the statements made, FIDE stresses that above all, mutual respect and empathy among colleagues must take precedence. The statement concludes: “We are firmly convinced that the lawsuit against GM Navara should be withdrawn as soon as possible in the interest of the entire chess world. We sincerely hope that GM Kramnik will take this morally justified step, which we believe will be welcomed by the broader chess community.”

The dispute escalated after David Navara published an open letter on Chess.com in late May titled “Because we care,” in which he described the psychological toll of Kramnik’s repeated insinuations of cheating. On June 24, Kramnik filed a defamation lawsuit in Switzerland against Navara as well as the platforms Chess.com and Chessdom.com, citing provisions in Swiss civil law that protect personal honor against defamatory claims.

The controversy has sparked a wave of reactions from grandmasters and fans alike. Armenian GM Levon Aronian published an open letter calling on Kramnik to reflect and seek reconciliation, writing: “My dear friend… ask all of your chess friends, nobody thinks what you’re doing is good and clean… you’re fighting your own demons.” (Read more here). Ukrainian GM Pavel Eljanov publicly supported Navara, saying he had lost respect for Kramnik’s actions and describing Navara as one of the most honest people in chess.

Fans and players on forums like Reddit have largely rallied behind Navara while harshly criticizing Kramnik’s approach. Comments describe his behavior as “absolutely unhinged” and call on other grandmasters to stand up in public support of the Czech player. Navara himself has spoken about the personal toll, sharing that he has suffered from depression, insomnia, and the need for psychological care as a result of the controversy, while also expressing disappointment at what he viewed as FIDE’s lack of earlier support.

We remain neutral and respect readers who side with Vladimir Kramnik, while encouraging open and respectful discussion. We will continue to follow how this situation develops—whether it ends up in a Swiss court or the two figures reach an agreement in the spirit of Gens Una Sumus.