World chess champion D Gukesh has stated that issues of cheating in chess are exaggerated and not as widespread as portrayed. Speaking ahead of the Prague International Chess Festival, he distanced himself from former champion Vladimir Kramnik's unsubstantiated allegations while affirming his opposition to unethical play. Other prominent figures in the chess world have similarly criticized Kramnik amid an ongoing dispute with FIDE.
At a press conference for the Prague International Chess Festival on February 25, 2026, world champion D Gukesh addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding cheating allegations in chess. He remarked that the problems are "made out to be bigger than what it actually is," emphasizing that while cheating is a concern, it has been magnified beyond reality. Gukesh explicitly stated, "Obviously, I’m against any kind of unfair or unethical play," but urged the community to avoid overreacting to unproven claims.
The dispute centers on Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion, who has accused several players of cheating in online games, including the late American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky and Czech grandmaster David Navara. Naroditsky, aged 29 at the time of his death, passed away accidentally due to a cardiac issue, following emotional responses to the accusations in his final stream. Kramnik has remained defiant despite backlash and has sued the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for defamation after the organization criticized his claims.
Gukesh is not alone in his stance. World number one Magnus Carlsen, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, and Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin have also condemned Kramnik for lacking definite proof. The controversy has prompted an FIDE ethics inquiry, with calls from Gukesh and others for harmony and focus on fair play.
In tournament news, Gukesh will face Hans Moke Niemann of the United States in the first round, a matchup expected to feature complex play. Fellow Indian Aravindh Chithambaram takes on Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov, recent winner of the Tata Steel Masters. Looking ahead to the Candidates Tournament, Gukesh expressed no belief in favorites and voiced interest in competing against compatriot R Praggnanandhaa.
