Russian content creator Aleksandr Shimanov commented on the decision on disciplinary proceedings against Vladimir Kramnik from FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission (EDC). Shimanov considers the punishment for Kramnik reasonable, and hopes that organizations will not invite Vladimir to cooperate with them.

Aleksandr Shimanov

Aleksandr Shimanov

Russian GM, content creator

“Am I satisfied with Kramnik’s punishment? I consider it normal.

It’s clear that nothing more serious could have been done. The fact that they issued a decision of any kind, with a condemnation and a punishment… We can debate how light or heavy it was, but for me, the fact that FIDE didn’t bury its head in the sand and did something is enough. Again, the details are debatable, but in my opinion, it was handled absolutely normally.

Why do people continue to support Kramnik? For me, this is, quite frankly, a completely incomprehensible position… I don’t understand it.

Of course, I have great respect for him. But in this regard, I’m not exactly disappointed, but rather surprised. I genuinely don’t understand.

He, by the way, was not banned from playing, but was banned primarily from coaching officially. He will not be able to coach Uzbekistan — that is already good. I hope that no serious organization will invite him to work with them. Regardless of what decision FIDE made.”

EDC has issued its decision on disciplinary proceedings against Vladimir Kramnik on July 3rd. EDC found Kramnik responsible for multiple violations of the FIDE Code of Ethics and the Disciplinary Code. Kramnik was found guilty of bullying and cyberbullying, violation of the right to dignity and respectful treatment, psychological abuse, false or unjustified public accusations, and other offences.

Vladimir Kramnik submitted an appeal against the decision on July 9. Kramnik requested the EDC Appeal Chamber to annul the decision, to declare that the proceedings were fundamentally flawed, and other.

Credit: Niki Riga / FIDE