Czech Chess Federation: We stand behind chess legend GM David Navara

In a brave public act, David Navara explains in details what he went through after the baseless allegations of Kramnik. Navara describes the emotional torture by Kramnik’s allegations, the silence of FIDE, their posterior inadequate reaction and total disregard on basic FIDE ethical and moral values. Navara ends his letter with a demand of resignation of Arkady Dvorkovich as FIDE President.

In an article titled “We stand behind chess legend GM David Navara” the Czech Chess Federation condemns the allegations by Kramnik, “In today’s complex world, there are few certainties, but one of them is undoubtedly that David Navara does not cheat” and emphasizes “we fully express our support for our chess legend in the fight against these accusations“

The Czech Federation finishes with a strong statement – that Chessdom supports and will continue supporting with the means of freedom of speech and basic human values – and says, “We believe that FIDE should start to deal more intensively with false accusations of cheating, even indirect ones” Read the full statement below

Timeline of events

23.05.2025 Navara publishes an open letter about Kramnik’s actions
23.05.2025 Reactions to Navara’s open letter – Aronian, Polgar, etc
23.05.2025 Navara and Kramnik to meet at FIDE World Rapid and Blitz
24.05.2025 David Navara, “I firmly believe that Mr Dvorkovich should resign”
24.05.2025 Kramnik, “I am deeply disappointed Navara participates in unjust PR campaign against me”
24.05.2025 Kramnik rage-blocks Chessdom over a comment on David Navara’s case
24.05.2025 Live: David Navara at French Top 16
25.05.2025 Kramnik admits to allegations, FIDE has grounds to act
25.05.2025 Open call to action for FIDE
26.06.2025 David Navara now has personal chess calendar

Czech Chess Federation stands behind Navara

Dear chess friends,

You may have recently noticed a post from the fourteenth world champion Vladimir Kramnik. In his tweet, he published a list of players who are associated with cheating. The list also includes the multiple champion of the Czech Republic, Czech chess legend, grandmaster David Navara. The world champion from 2006-2007 does not directly accuse our legend, but the very publication of this topic in the list is beyond the pale and causes grandmaster Navara not only psychological harm.

The Czech Chess Federation completely objects to the inclusion of our legend’s name in the list above. In today’s complex world, there are few certainties, but one of them is undoubtedly that David Navara does not cheat. With this contribution, we fully express our support for our chess legend in the fight against these accusations, which, unfortunately, are becoming more and more frequent in today’s very turbulent times. We believe that FIDE should start to deal more intensively with false accusations of cheating, even indirect ones. Gens una sumus.

On behalf of the Czech Chess Federation, Ing. Josef Bednařík, PR Manager