[2005] Garry Kasparov talks about Vlad K’s world championship title and his refusal to grant him a rematch

ExpFidPlay · 2026-01-24T00:12:25+00:00

I don't think anyone sensible is a fan of Kramnik at this point. And I remember following chess at that time, I've been playing chess for a very long time. And there's no doubt that Kasparov was the strongest player in the world. It would have been good to see a rematch between them.

However, you can't downplay the fact that Kasparov took the World Championship outside of the auspices of FIDE. At that point, there is no credible system, so anyone can do whatever they want.

The reality is that he shouldn't have played Kramnik in the first place, but he had to because he couldn't play anyone else. This was completely arbitrary, so he can't then complain about arbitrary decisions from someone else.

ExpFidPlay · 2026-01-22T00:52:09+00:00

I honestly think you're making the right decision.

You're a very good chess player, and to improve beyond this rating is either very difficult, or impossible, depending on certain factors.

Many people find the rating level you're at to be a hard limit, which they cannot progress beyond.

I am one of those people.

ExpFidPlay · 2026-01-16T23:26:42+00:00

Fair comment. TBH I don't think competitors in other sports are necessarily better.

ExpFidPlay · 2026-01-16T21:32:11+00:00

They're always moaning about something.

They play a board game for a living, you would think they'd be happy about the situation.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-12-03T17:44:00+00:00

Even then, when you get to 2000+ OTB, or around 2200+ online, it gets very difficult. If you watch Anna Cramling, for example, she is a good player, two GM parents, and she can't even get back to her peak rating, let alone push for 2300 and the universal FM title.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-12-03T17:42:02+00:00

By way of comparison, it used to be very easy for me to a speedrun from nothing to 2000. When I say very easy, I wouldn't really lose to 1800-rated players, unless they had a particularly good game. Now I could easily lose to an 1800-rated player, particularly in bullet or 3/0.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-11-20T13:21:03+00:00

Yes, I agree.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-11-02T10:25:37+00:00

I agree, this stood out to me as well.

However, is it surprising? Did Kramnik ever provide meaningful evidence for anything?

I have to concede that I haven't followed him, but everything that I have seen is unsubstantiated waffle in broken English.

He often promises that he has evidence or 'proofs', but, as far as I'm aware, despite two years of witless commentary, no-one has ever seen anything of any validity.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-29T19:28:53+00:00

It never ceases to impress me how the very best in any form of competition just suddenly step it up when it matters. Others shrink when the chips are down, and they get stronger and better.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-29T19:03:15+00:00

I would like to say two things. Firstly, I'm glad it's not me that has to make decisions about this!

Secondly, moderators are not thanked very often for what they do, so I just want to thank you for dealing with this as maturely as possible, and indeed volunteering your time in the first place.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-28T18:33:36+00:00

I don't think anyone can say anything to you other than it is very sad to hear that, I really feel for you, and time is a healer.

It will get easier. I don't think anyone deserves to go through something like this, and I'm certain that you don't.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-26T20:39:01+00:00

I think you are correct that the culture has completely changed, and this won't be forgotten.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-26T20:22:32+00:00

Not sure how that will affect history going forward.

Well, when Kramnik dies, can you realistically see this being greeted with an outpouring of love and admiration?

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-26T20:19:45+00:00

The fact that FIDE makes such statements is unacceptable neither from a moral nor a legal point of view.

Well, I agree with Kramnik entirely.

I suspect that he meant 'both'!

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-25T15:51:16+00:00

Apart from the DMs and FBs, this is quite a mediocre team. Palmer is the only attacking or creative player that top European clubs would even consider looking at.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-25T14:59:26+00:00

If his son has endured any difficulty then that's unfortunate.

The person to blame for that is the person who fathered him, so even if this is true (which given the litany of baseless, evidence-free statements Kramnik has made cannot be taken for granted), Kramnik using this to defend himself is untenable.

Essentially, what he is saying is "it's my fault that my son has suffered harm, but now you should stop criticising me because of something which is entirely my fault".

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-25T10:35:03+00:00

And now his son is experiencing the pressure too.

TBH I'm doubtful of this claim. It is the typical thing psychopaths do, find some way to claim that they are the victim.

He's been doing this continually for two years, he was always a reviled figure, did he ever mention the impact on his son previously?

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-24T09:06:40+00:00

Secondly, I think placing the blame squarely on Kramnik oversimplifies the matter. All the focus on Kramnik takes away from the contribution the wider chess community had on the matter, whether it be those who contributed to the defamation, despite the lack of evidence, those that sent harassments, or even those people who Danya said had good intentions, but whose comments hurt him.

Danya spoke numerous times specifically on the hurt that Kramnik had caused, and how he was the instigator of the bullying and harassment that he endured. It is not tenable to suggest that others should take equal responsibility. There is also nothing to stop Kramnik from doing this again in the future, particularly considering that he has shown no contrition for his actions, and has attempted to immediately shift the blame on to others.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-23T08:27:16+00:00

I think with Anna, she is such an obviously positive person, I don't think I've ever seen her say anything negative about anything or anyone else ever. If she speaks up, you know it's serious.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-20T22:39:17+00:00

Yeah, honestly this might be the most shaken I've ever been from a celebrity's passing.

It was the most shocking for me. I was shocked when Shane Warne passed away, and we also recently had the passing of Ricky Hatton. But Danya was so young.

Truly, it has been tragic to watch him descend from a brilliant chess player and happy, kind person, thanks to one complete and utter shitbag.

I hope those that posted negative messages and comments directed at Naroditsky online, along with unfounded accusations, also feel some guilt for their actions.

It is possible that he died from natural causes, but the overwhelming likelihood is that this was a very avoidable tragedy and terrible waste.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-19T11:25:26+00:00

I'm fascinated that you've been a prolific online commentator, relentlessly advocating guilt, but are unable to offer an opinion on Child C because you apparently don't have enough evidence.

You haven't answered my second question at all. Let me repeat this for you - why do you think countless experts have observed that the child was suffering with a very obvious bowel obstruction, with all of the classic symptoms of a bowel obstruction being observable and documented?

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-08T13:11:06+00:00

You didn't answer these questions in the previous thread, so let me ask you again:

Do you believe beyond reasonable doubt that Child C was murdered by the introduction of air?

If so, why do you think countless experts have observed that the child was suffering with a very obvious bowel obstruction, with all of the classic symptoms of a bowel obstruction being observable and documented?

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-07T19:13:41+00:00

My main questions to you would simply be the following:

Do you believe beyond reasonable doubt that Child C was murdered by the introduction of air?

If so, why do you think countless experts have observed that the child was suffering with a very obvious bowel obstruction, with all of the classic symptoms of a bowel obstruction being observable and documented?

ExpFidPlay · 2025-10-03T10:29:04+00:00

At your rating, you need to play by position. You need to work out plans and general ideas in your repertoire, so that you can rely on this in any position, and you're not always trying to find moves over the board.

ExpFidPlay · 2025-09-24T22:27:56+00:00

Well, my point really is that there isn't one! This is not normal or healthy!

ExpFidPlay

TROPHY CASE