Overview
- The FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission imposed a two-year worldwide ban on Vladimir Kramnik with the final 12 months suspended on a three-year probation and ordered 12 months of unpaid service for the chess community.
- The EDC found Kramnik guilty of bullying, cyberbullying, psychological abuse, false or unjustified public accusations, failure to cooperate with investigators, and breaching his role-model responsibilities.
- The Commission dismissed several other charges, including claims that Kramnik caused reputational harm to FIDE and breached integrity or honesty rules, because those allegations were not proven to the required standard.
- Kramnik publicly rejected the decision and says he will appeal; the EDC decision can be taken to the EDC Appeal Chamber within 21 days.
- The ruling noted it could not assess the scientific validity of Kramnik’s anti-cheating method because he did not fully disclose it, and it highlighted harm to targeted players including earlier reports by Daniel Naroditsky of mental duress from public accusations.