Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik filed a lawsuit against FIDE (Registered in Lausanne, Switzerland) in a Swiss civil court, seeking financial compensation. Kramnik initiated legal proceedings in Lausanne, bypassing the chess’s typical arbitration body. Kramnik’s action counters FIDE’s ongoing ethics case against him.

The legal filing includes a formal request for evidence preservation delivered to FIDE. Swiss procedure requires FIDE to preserve all relevant documents, correspondence, and electronic records. Kramnik’s legal team will detail the compensation amount in the main lawsuit following a mandatory preliminary phase of 2-3 months.

FIDE’s Ethics Commission charged Kramnik following his public comments about online cheating in Novermber 2025. The federation cited a two-year pattern of conduct affecting players’ dignity. The complaint included testimony from players impacted by Kramnik’s allegations.

The 14th World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, stated that he faced harassment following the passing of American GM Daniel Naroditsky in October 2025. Kramnik had previously publicly suspected Naroditsky, Navarra and other prominent players of cheating.

Credit: Mark Livshitz