Chess.com "suspends" Vladimir Kramnik once again, GM violates Community Policy by making cheating allegations 

The ongoing controversy involving Chess.com and GM Vladimir Kramnik sees a new chapter as the platform "suspends" the former World Champion over a violation of Community Policy. Kramnik, who's now also a YouTuber, has raised his concerns over alleged cheating issues, particularly in Chess.com's Titled Tuesdays (weekly tournament with prize money).

According to Chess.com, Kramnik violated the company's Community Policy by calling out individuals over alleged cheating concerns. While the site is open to hearing such pleas, public accusations are discouraged.

Kramnik also shared the message he received from Chess.com, which stated that he will now be "suspended" from prized events for a month. The message read:

"During Early Titled Tuesday on September 24th, 2024, you made a number of public statements explicitly accusing opponents you played of cheating. This behavior clearly violates our Community Policy, which prohibits players from publicly accusing opponents of cheating."

The following section was given further emphasis by Chess.com:

"As a result, you are being issued a one-month suspension from prize events starting tomorrow September 25th, 2024 and ending on October 25th, 2024."

Vladimir Kramnik issued a ban from prized events (Image via X/Vladimir Kramnik)

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What did GM Vladimir Kramnik write?

Those who have been following the chess community will remember the significant controversy that occurred between Vladimir Kramnik and the Twitch streamer and grandmaster Hikaru "GMHIkaru."

Kramnik has continued to raise his concerns over cheating in Titled Tuesdays (TT). Yesterday (September 24, 2024), during his TT participation, he took to his X.com account to publically accuse two players of cheating: WGM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya and GM Vitaly Teterev.

Here are the two posts that violated Chess.com's Community Policy:

Kramnik accusing Vitaly Teterev of cheating (Image via X/Vladimir Kramnik)

Kramnik accusing Aleksandra Maltsevskaya of cheating (Image via X/Vladimir Kramnik)

Kramnik also made a post calling out Twitch streamer and YouTuber Levi "GothamChess" for his recent video, in which Levi briefly addressed Kramnik's allegations. In response, Kramnik stated:

"Dear Gotham, I am revealing the truth you and your bosses hide, covering obvious cheaters, you can't believe someone dares calling it straight?"

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This isn’t the first time Chess.com has taken punitive action against Vladimir Kramnik. Back in December 2023, the platform locked Kramnik's blog after he repeatedly made serious allegations against players such as GMHikaru and GM Jospem.