Comments on Vladimir Kramnik's Chess.com Complaint

London, 22 May 2025 - World Chess Plc (LSE: CHSS), a leading chess organisation committed to expanding the global appeal of chess, notes a recent media report published by Kommersant that former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik has submitted a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding the conduct of Chess.com, the world's largest online chess platform.

According to the report, Mr. Kramnik alleges a range of issues in his filing, including:

• Abuse of a dominant position in the online chess market
• Lack of transparency in anti-cheating practices
• Retaliation against players who publicly raise concerns

The report states that Mr. Kramnik's complaint includes over 60 pages of documentation and 14 formal allegations, and has been received by relevant EU regulatory bodies. It also notes that further action may be considered in the United States.

World Chess strongly supports calls for improved transparency, accountability, and procedural fairness in online chess - principles that align with Mr. Kramnik's publicly stated concerns.

World Chess has long championed these values through:

• Official FIDE-recognised games with externally auditable rules;
• Transparent anti-cheating protocols, applied through a documented process;
• Verified identities using government ID and federation credentials; and
• A publicly stated commitment to fairness, due process, and data privacy.

As chess continues to grow as a professional and digital-first global sport, World Chess remains committed to building trust across all stakeholders - players, fans, regulators, and institutions.

Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, commented:

"Chess.com has become a highly influential force in the global chess ecosystem. However, as with any dominant platform, concerns around transparency and accountability are natural and increasingly voiced within the community. We believe that the chess world benefits when procedures - especially related to fair play - are visible, challengeable, and governed by clear rules.

• Kramnik's decision to elevate these issues to a regulatory level is significant. Regardless of the outcome, it reflects a broader shift toward formal oversight in digital chess, which we view as a positive step."