FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky posted a public statement on X about the death of chess grandmaster and streamer Daniel “Danya” Naroditsky that has set off intense debate in the chess community.
In his October 22 post, Sutovsky praised the “unprecedented” tributes following Naroditsky’s death but questioned where these supporters were earlier. “Where were all those people when Danya was alive and unwell?” he wrote.
The statement directly addressed former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik’s approach to public allegations. “What’s clear is that the way Kramnik approaches it simply can’t be accepted,” Sutovsky wrote. “FIDE is not a court of justice, but we will act within our jurisdiction.”
Sutovsky described Naroditsky as not being “at his best in recent months” and noted he had stepped back from commentary and streaming. He questioned Naroditsky’s “alleged friends” and asked what they did to help him over the past half year.
The FIDE CEO also criticized what he called “virtue signaling and like-grabbing” in the public tributes. He recounted personal interactions with Naroditsky over the years and described him as often seeming unhappy despite bringing joy to many through his content.
Naroditsky was one of the most popular chess streamers globally and known for his educational speed-run content and tournament commentary. He worked extensively with Chess.com on major broadcasts and was respected as both a strong player and teacher.
Kramnik has been vocal about alleged online cheating in chess since 2023. He has repeatedly named various players and streamers in public posts claiming widespread engine use. His allegations have created prolonged controversy in the chess community.
The statement did not specify what FIDE action against Kramnik might look like. FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission has the power to investigate conduct violations under the organization’s Code of Ethics. After his initial comment he faced some blowback, and clarified his statement.
What FIDE can actually do
FIDE jurisdiction typically covers conduct at official events and actions by titled players or officials that violate ethical standards. Possible outcomes range from official warnings to fines or sanctions, though specific details about any investigation remain unclear.
No official cause of death for Naroditsky has been publicly released. Community members have pushed back against speculation, with some noting that friends had recently checked on Naroditsky and that any assumptions about the circumstances are premature.
