D Gukesh Responds Firmly to Kramnik’s Cheating Allegations

World Chess Champion D Gukesh has publicly addressed allegations made by former champion Vladimir Kramnik, who has accused players of cheating in chess without presenting any substantial evidence. Kramnik’s claims, made frequently on social media, have drawn criticism from many within the chess community, particularly following his unfounded accusations against the late Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away at the age of 29.

During a press conference preceding the Prague International Chess Festival, Gukesh made his stance clear. He emphasized his opposition to unethical play while also expressing concern that discussions of cheating have become exaggerated. “Obviously, I’m against any kind of unfair or unethical play,” he stated. “It’s a kind of problem that we have been seeing lately. Many people over the last couple of years have been very paranoid about cheating. People are making it a bigger problem than it actually is.”

Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion in chess history in 2024, further distanced himself from Kramnik’s allegations. “I don’t support most of Kramnik’s allegations. I’m against any kind of unfair or unethical play. I’ve never done that, and I really hope nobody does that,” he added. The 19-year-old champion made it clear that he does not endorse Kramnik’s approach to the issue, stating, “About Kramnik, what he has been doing, I’m obviously not supporting that.”

Upcoming Challenges at the Prague Festival

Gukesh is set to compete in the Prague International Chess Festival, where he is among the top attractions. He is seeded second in the tournament, trailing only Vincent Keymer. Other strong contenders include Hans Niemann and Nodirbek Abdusuttarov. Gukesh’s performance at the festival is particularly significant following a disappointing year and a challenging start to 2024 at the Tata Steel Masters.

With the chess world closely watching, Gukesh hopes to turn his form around in Prague and reaffirm his status as a leading figure in the sport. As the tournament unfolds, the focus will not only be on the games but also on the ongoing discourse surrounding ethical play in chess, an issue that continues to stir debate among players and fans alike.