Kramnik refused to shake Dvorkovich’s hand.
Kramnik Says He Will Never Shake Hands with Dvorkovich Again: Conflict Surrounding the Former FIDE President Reaches a New Level
A Strong Statement That Could Reshape Relationships in the Chess World
The chess world has once again found itself at the center of a major controversy. 14th World Champion Vladimir Kramnik has made one of his strongest public statements in recent years, declaring that he will never shake hands with former FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich again.
According to the Russian grandmaster, the decision stems from Dvorkovich’s conduct during the events that followed the death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky. Kramnik believes the former FIDE president not only failed to stop the wave of criticism directed at him but effectively became one of the participants in the campaign against him.
The statement marks another chapter in the long-running confrontation between the former world champion and the leadership of the International Chess Federation.
“For Me, This Person No Longer Exists”
Kramnik did not hide his feelings toward the former FIDE president.
According to him, the events of recent months led him to make a final decision: he will never again greet Arkady Dvorkovich with a handshake. For Kramnik, a handshake symbolizes mutual respect, and he argued that a person whom he believes took part in a public campaign against him no longer deserves that gesture.
The grandmaster stressed that his decision is based on principle rather than emotion.
A Conflict That Has Been Building for Years
Vladimir Kramnik’s confrontation with parts of the chess community did not begin yesterday.
Over the past several years, the former world champion has repeatedly raised concerns about possible cheating in online chess. His statements generated widespread debate, while his criticism of individual players led to numerous public controversies.
Eventually, the conflict extended far beyond the issue of cheating. Relations between Kramnik and the FIDE leadership became increasingly strained, with both sides exchanging public statements on multiple occasions.
Why Kramnik Mentioned Daniel Naroditsky
Particular attention was drawn to Kramnik’s claim that Arkady Dvorkovich participated in the campaign against him following the death of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.
The wording attracted widespread attention because it directly connects a tragic event with the public disputes that followed within the chess community.
Kramnik believes that, instead of objectively assessing the situation, many prominent figures in the chess world chose to publicly oppose him, while the former FIDE president, in his view, sided with those criticizing him.
What Refusing a Handshake Means
In chess, a handshake before a game has traditionally been regarded as one of the strongest symbols of sportsmanship and mutual respect.
For that reason, Kramnik’s statement carries not only emotional weight but also symbolic significance. In effect, the former world champion has declared that he considers his relationship with Arkady Dvorkovich to be permanently broken.
Such declarations are extremely rare from world champions and inevitably attract the attention of the global chess community.
How This Could Affect the Situation Within FIDE
Kramnik’s remarks come at a time when the International Chess Federation is undergoing significant political changes following the end of Arkady Dvorkovich’s presidency.
Although the former president has already left office, discussions about his legacy and influence on the organization continue. Now, those debates have been joined by a new public conflict involving one of the most recognizable world champions in chess history.
Observers note that statements of this nature could deepen divisions within the chess community, where opinions about the former FIDE leadership already vary considerably.
Conclusion
The dispute between Vladimir Kramnik and Arkady Dvorkovich appears far from over. Kramnik’s refusal to shake hands with the former FIDE president is more than an emotional reaction—it is a clear indication of how deeply the conflict has escalated between one of the greatest chess players of the modern era and the former leadership of the International Chess Federation.
Whether these remarks will receive an official response remains unknown. What is already clear, however, is that this episode is likely to become one of the most widely discussed stories in the chess world and will continue to influence debate over FIDE’s role, the responsibilities of its leadership, and its relationship with leading grandmasters.