Aronian Seeks Peace with Kramnik, Extends Apology Amidst Defamation Suit

In a deeply personal and public appeal, chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has penned an open letter to his friend and former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, seeking reconciliation after Kramnik initiated a defamation lawsuit that has stirred considerable controversy within the chess community.

Vladimir Kramnik (File Photo)

"Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me for addressing you publicly," Aronian began, foregoing anger or criticism in favor of respect and concern for the Russian chess icon.

This public message follows Kramnik's recent filing of a civil defamation case in Geneva against Chess.com, the news outlet Chessdom, and Czech GM David Navara. Kramnik alleges that these parties have defamed him following a series of disagreements regarding suspected cheating in online chess.

Aronian's letter functions as both a heartfelt tribute and an attempt to mediate. He acknowledged Kramnik’s impact on his own career, referring to him as one of his "chess parents" and crediting him with shaping much of his chess understanding.

He reflected on Kramnik’s celebrated victories over Garry Kasparov and Peter Leko, as well as the infamous "Toiletgate" controversy during his match against Veselin Topalov, underscoring Kramnik’s strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

However, Aronian did not avoid addressing what he perceives as a troubling shift in Kramnik's recent behavior. “You are fighting your own demons,” he wrote, recognizing the emotional toll of Kramnik’s fight against alleged online chess cheating.

The letter emerges after Kramnik's earlier implication that Navara had cheated, leading Navara to publish a letter describing the severe impact of these accusations on his mental health.

Kramnik responded by demanding either legal action or silence, eventually leading to the defamation lawsuit that has sparked widespread criticism from the chess community.

Fellow Grandmasters like Pavel Eljanov have voiced public support for Navara, accusing Kramnik of overstepping boundaries. “David is one of the most honest people in chess,” Eljanov stated, echoing the sentiments of many.

Aronian’s plea concludes with a call for unity: “We are a family... let us start from a fresh page.” In a chess world often divided, his message is unambiguous – while the chessboard may be black and white, human relationships are more nuanced, and reconciliation remains a possibility.