Aronian Seeks Amends with Kramnik After Defamation Lawsuit: "Forgive Me"

In a moving open letter, chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has publicly appealed to his friend and former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, urging reconciliation after Kramnik initiated a defamation lawsuit. The lawsuit has created significant controversy within the chess community.

"Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me for addressing you publicly," Aronian began, emphasizing respect and concern rather than anger or criticism towards the Russian chess legend.

The letter follows Kramnik's decision to file a civil defamation case in Geneva against Chess.com, Chessdom, and Czech GM David Navara. Kramnik alleges that they defamed him following disagreements about alleged cheating in online chess.

Aronian's letter is both a personal tribute and a plea for peace. He highlighted Kramnik's influence on his career, referring to him as one of his "chess parents" and attributing a significant part of his chess understanding to the former World Champion.

He reflected on Kramnik's resilience, from his victories against Garry Kasparov and Peter Leko to the infamous "Toiletgate" match against Veselin Topalov, praising his strength and spirit in the face of adversity.

However, Aronian also addressed what he perceives as a worrying shift in Kramnik's recent behavior. "You are fighting your own demons," he wrote, acknowledging the emotional impact of Kramnik's fight against perceived widespread cheating in online chess.

The letter comes after Kramnik earlier this year implied that Navara had cheated. This prompted Navara to publish a letter describing the severe impact of the accusations on his mental health. Kramnik responded by demanding either legal action or silence, ultimately leading to the lawsuit, which has been met with criticism from many in the chess world.

Grandmasters such as Pavel Eljanov have publicly supported Navara, with Eljanov stating that "David is one of the most honest people in chess," a sentiment widely shared.

Aronian concludes his plea with a call for unity: "We are a family... let us start from a fresh page." In a chess world that is increasingly divided, his message offers a clear path forward.