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In a public plea, Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian has urged Vladimir Kramnik, a former World Champion, to reconcile amidst a defamation lawsuit. Aronian's letter, shared on social media, expresses deep respect for Kramnik, acknowledging his significant influence. This follows Kramnik's lawsuit against Chessdom, GM David Navara, and others, stemming from disputes over alleged online cheating.

Anish Giri, the Dutch Grandmaster, supports Hans Niemann amidst cheating claims. Giri expresses his frustration over the lack of evidence against Niemann. He feels Niemann's treatment was unjust. Giri highlights the complex relationships among top chess players. He describes it as a mix of rivalry, friendship, respect, and a desire to win.