Kramnik’s Fiery Rejection: A Chess World Divided by Principles and Lawsuits
The esteemed 14th World Chess Champion, Vladimir Kramnik, has ignited a fresh blaze in the ongoing chess feud, declaring an unwavering intent to pursue legal action against “EVERY slanderer.” This defiant stance directly contradicts a heartfelt appeal from Levon Aronian, a player Kramnik himself considers a “chess parent” figure, who urged for unity within the chess “family” rather than endless litigation. Kramnik’s words paint a stark picture of a chess world he believes has become “mired in hypocrisy, duplicity, and has lost the most basic moral principles.”
The Deepening Legal Offensive Against Alleged Slanderers
Kramnik’s latest pronouncement is not merely rhetoric; it’s a direct escalation of his existing legal battles. He is currently embroiled in a high-profile defamation lawsuit against major chess entities, including **Chess.com** and **Chessdom**, alongside Grandmaster **David Navara**. Aronian’s plea for an end to “suing over questionable online analyses” seems to have fallen on deaf ears, with Kramnik emphasizing, “I will take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY slanderer. I’ll make them answer for their words and deeds if they refuse to understand any other language.” The former World Champion frames these aggressive measures as a necessary act of self-defense, citing decades of enduring what he describes as “dirty PR attacks and slander,” a torrent he no longer intends to tolerate.
A Public Letter to Levon Aronian: Unveiling a Chess Anti-Utopia
Kramnik’s recent letter, specifically addressed to Levon Aronian – one of the few individuals in the contemporary chess world he claims to still respect – serves as a profound exposé of his disillusionment. He directly confronts what he perceives as the decaying moral fabric of the chess community, lamenting its decline into a realm where avarice dictates behavior. He alludes to a powerful, shadowy “structure” or “Daddy” figure, thinly veiled references to influential organizations or individuals, suggesting they manipulate the narrative and control the livelihoods of many.
The Influence of “Metal” and “Orchestra Members” in Modern Chess
In his scathing critique, Kramnik metaphorically describes a “choir of obedient orchestra members” who are willing to play any “music they’re told” for financial gain. He suggests that these individuals suppress their consciences, rationalizing their actions by convincing themselves of their “moral righteousness,” even as they disregard reality and facts. Kramnik, a scholar of philosophy and literature, draws parallels to classical works, referencing the timeless wisdom found in figures like **Fyodor Dostoevsky’s** “The Grand Inquisitor” and Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave.” He contrasts this deep intellectual tradition with the perceived superficiality of contemporary chess influencers, perhaps subtly critiquing figures like popular streamer **Levy Rozman**, whose “financial success” he dryly notes.
The Scourge of Online Cheating: A “Despicable Theft”
At the core of Kramnik’s outrage is his unwavering conviction regarding the widespread prevalence of cheating in online chess. He asserts that many strong players, including Aronian, are fully aware of the “scale of cheating” and the “true nature of some ‘online talents’ and their so-called successes.” Kramnik describes this online dishonesty in vivid, moral terms, likening it to a “despicable theft”—a betrayal akin to pickpocketing a friend. He expresses dismay that the chess world largely observes this phenomenon “calmly, pretending not to notice,” implying complicity or apathy among the community.
The “Daddy” Allegory and Its Defenders
Kramnik continues his allegorical attack on a dominant “Daddy” figure, whom he accuses of enabling this “farce” by organizing tournaments and providing compensation, thereby ensuring loyalty. He suggests that this powerful entity fosters an environment where rules are bent, and ethical boundaries are blurred, as long as financial interests are protected. Kramnik claims that this influence compels players to sign “angry, dishonest letter[s]” and publicly support figures they secretly despise, out of fear of being cut off from financial opportunities. He condemns this subservience, proclaiming his conscience holds greater value than “the ‘opinion of the in-crowd.’”
Personal Attacks and an Unwavering Resolve
The former World Champion reveals a deep sense of betrayal and personal targeting, stating that the “large-scale mockery directed at me only grows more intense with each passing day.” He attributes this intensification to the “Daddy” figure, who, upon facing potential “exposure,” has mobilized a “royal army” to defend their “generous monarch.” Kramnik points to specific examples, referencing a “genius of home blitz” who plays for “forty hours straight without any decline in quality” and another “loyal friend and ally” who commits “misdeed[s]” when financial interests are at stake. He even takes a swipe at a “certain Eastern European ‘darling’” who engages in “shameless lying” and plays the “innocent victim” when caught, all while being supported by the “conductor” and the “orchestra” (a nod to the FIDE motto “gens una sumus”).
No Retreat, No Surrender: The Path to “Cleanse” Chess
Kramnik refuses to play the victim, despite feeling he has “ten times more objective reasons to do so than anyone else.” He rejects what he calls a “fake, hypocritical game” where “slander, lies, stealing from colleagues” are tolerated, as long as the truth remains unspoken. His past experiences with “dirty PR attacks” over two decades ago, he claims, have granted him “immunity.” However, he makes it unequivocally clear that his patience for polite appeals has run out. He will now leverage legal channels to defend himself and his family, regardless of collective “open letters” published against him. Kramnik’s ultimate goal is ambitious: “To rid the chess world of this infection,” believing that the time is near to “expose ‘Daddy’ and his cronies.” His parting words underscore a defiant resolve to fundamentally change the chess world according to his principles.
