India, Oct. 22 -- In a powerful and emotional statement, Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has directly blamed former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik for the death of American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away earlier this week at the age of 29.

Sarin, 21, described Naroditsky as a close online rival and friend, revealing that he was the last opponent Naroditsky faced on the popular platform Chess.com before his sudden death. Although the cause of death has not yet been officially confirmed, Sarin pointed to the immense stress Naroditsky faced following repeated and public accusations of cheating levelled by Kramnik.

"He [Kramnik] has kind of literally taken a life," Sarin told The Indian Express, reflecting on the Ameri...