Aronian Urges Kramnik to Reconsider Defamation Suit in Open Letter

In a deeply personal and moving letter shared on social media, chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has publicly appealed to his longtime friend and former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, seeking reconciliation after Kramnik initiated a defamation lawsuit that has reverberated throughout the chess community.

Vladimir Kramnik (File Photo)

"Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me for addressing you publicly," Aronian began, his words conveying not anger, but profound respect and concern for the Russian chess legend.

The open letter comes shortly after Kramnik filed a civil defamation case in Geneva targeting Chess.com, the news site Chessdom, and Czech GM David Navara, whom he accuses of defamation following a series of public disputes concerning alleged cheating in online chess.

Aronian's letter serves as both a personal tribute and a public call for peace. He emphasizes Kramnik's significant influence on his own career, referring to him as one of his "chess parents" and acknowledging the substantial impact the former World Champion has had on his chess development.

He reflects on Kramnik's remarkable resilience, highlighting his victories against Garry Kasparov and Peter Leko, as well as his handling of the controversial "Toiletgate" match against Veselin Topalov, praising his strength and spirit in the face of adversity.

However, Aronian does not avoid addressing what he perceives as a concerning shift in Kramnik's recent behavior. "You are fighting your own demons," he wrote, recognizing the emotional toll of Kramnik's campaign against what he believes to be widespread cheating in online chess.

The letter follows a period of turbulence, earlier this year, Kramnik suggested that Navara had cheated, prompting Navara to release a letter explaining the severe impact the accusations had on his mental health.

Kramnik responded by demanding either legal action or silence, eventually leading to the lawsuit—a decision that has triggered criticism from many within the chess world.

Grandmasters such as Pavel Eljanov have voiced their support for Navara, with Eljanov stating that “David is one of the most honest people in chess,” which is a sentiment echoed by others.

Aronian concludes his plea with a message of unity: "We are a family... let us start from a fresh page.” In a chess world often divided, his message is unambiguous: the board may be black and white, but people are far more complex, and reconciliation remains within reach.