Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik has fumed that he was the victim of a 'cynical smear campaign' over the death of grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. However, earlier this week a toxicology report revealed that Naroditsky died from an accidental overdose after a cocktail of addictive drugs were found in his system. And following the release of the toxicology report, Kramnik has issued a furious response to those who suggested his cheating allegations had played a part. Over the course of the year before Naroditsky died, he was repeatedly accused of cheating in online chess games by Kramnik. 'There was nothing more important to Daniel than his dignity and his name as a chess player,' the mother said.

Source: Daily Mail January 21, 2026 19:29 UTC