Gukesh Breaks Silence: Slams Kramnik’s Cheating Crusade

New Delhi, February 26, 2026: In a rare and firm public stance, reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh has weighed in on the toxic cheating controversy currently gripping the sport. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Prague International Chess Festival on February 24, 2026, the 19-year-old Indian prodigy criticized former world champion Vladimir Kramnik for his relentless campaign of unsubstantiated allegations.

Gukesh’s comments come at a time when the chess world is deeply fractured by “statistically driven” accusations of foul play, largely spearheaded by Kramnik.

“Harmony and Peace Needed”: Gukesh Breaks Silence

Addressing the media, Gukesh expressed his disapproval of the current climate of suspicion. While he reiterated his zero-tolerance policy toward actual cheating, he suggested that the paranoia surrounding the issue has become more damaging than the problem itself.

“I think people are making it a bigger problem than it actually is. Specifically about Kramnik’s allegations, I don’t support most of it. I think there should be more harmony and peace in the chess world,” Gukesh stated.

The World Champion further clarified his personal ethics, saying, “Obviously, I’m against any kind of unfair or unethical play. I have never done that, and I really hope nobody does that.”

The Context: Kramnik’s “Anti-Cheating” Crusade

For nearly two years, Vladimir Kramnik—the man who famously dethroned Garry Kasparov in 2000—has rebranded himself as a digital vigilante. Using data analysis and win-rate statistics, Kramnik has targeted dozens of top-tier Grandmasters, claiming their performance “streaks” in online blitz and rapid games are mathematically impossible.

• The Flashpoint: Kramnik had repeatedly targeted Naroditsky with cheating insinuations.
• The Impact: In his final streams, Naroditsky spoke emotionally about the mental toll and anxiety caused by the constant public interrogations.
• The Fallout: While medical reports confirmed Naroditsky’s death was due to a cardiac issue, the chess community—including Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Nihal Sarin—condemned the “baseless harassment” Naroditsky faced prior to his death.

A Sport at a Crossroads

Gukesh joins a growing list of elite players who believe Kramnik’s “witch hunt” is tarnishing the game’s reputation. Currently, Kramnik is embroiled in a legal battle with FIDE (the International Chess Federation) after the governing body filed a formal ethics complaint against him for bullying and harassment.

Despite being the youngest World Champion in history, Gukesh’s measured response reflects a desire for the sport to move past the era of digital paranoia.

What’s Next for Gukesh?

The World Champion is currently focused on the Prague Chess Festival, where he is the top-seeded player. His first-round match is against Hans Niemann, another figure who has been at the center of the cheating debate in recent years, making for a high-stakes and narrative-rich opening to the tournament.