Five-time World Chess Champion and FIDE Vice President Viswanathan Anand has voiced strong disappointment regarding the recent behavior of fellow former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik.

Anand’s criticism centers on Kramnik’s persistent and public accusations of cheating within the chess world, which Anand describes as “unfounded allegations” lacking significant evidence. The controversy intensified following the sudden death of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. Anand stated that he was “quite disappointed with how Kramnik has behaved in this matter.”

Speaking to the press, the Indian chess icon confirmed that FIDE plans to take formal action to address the issue.

“We plan to take steps,” Anand said, noting that the matter is being forwarded to the ethics commission for review. He explicitly stated that he did not want to comment further on the specifics of the planned measures while the matter is under commission review, but emphasized, “I don’t think there’s any cause for unfounded allegations, and we will continue working on that.”

In addition to promising organizational action, Anand offered advice to the wider chess community, particularly young players and their parents. He urged them to be discerning about information consumed on the internet, which he called a “fairly unregulated space.”

The message he wished to convey was simple: “Not to believe everything you read.” Anand assured that FIDE would stand with parents and the new generation of players to “help fight the battle” against the spread of unsubstantiated claims and negativity.