Kremlin Spokesman Praises Chess Amid Drug Test Revelation Involving a Grandmaster

Peskov Links Chess to a Drug-Free Youth, While Toxicology Finds Narcotics in a Deceased Player

According to Главком: Dmitry Peskov, the official spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, recently made a public statement championing the benefits of chess for young people. He argued that the game inherently steers youth away from drug abuse, stating that

“chess is an extremely beneficial activity for young people. You will never find a drug addict among those who learned to play chess as children. They do not become addicts. They are not susceptible to this terrible evil that exists in the world. It is a mystery why this is the case, but it is truly so”

- Dmitry Peskov.

This assertion comes at a time when forensic testing has confirmed the presence of narcotics in the system of American grandmaster and chess blogger Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away in October 2025. The findings have sparked considerable debate within the chess community and beyond, highlighting a stark contradiction to Peskov’s claims.

Death of Russian Soldier and Former Footballer Alexander Tokarev

In separate news, reports have emerged regarding the death of Alexander Tokarev, a Russian soldier who previously played amateur football for clubs in the Volgograd region. Tokarev, aged 40, began his football career in 2006 with Neftyanik from Zhirnovsk and went on to play for several teams, including:

• Urozhay from Elan
• Burovik from Zhirnovsk
• Tekstilshchik from Ocheretino

His final club was Exkluziv from Volzhsky. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

The timing of Peskov's remarks on chess and youth drug prevention, juxtaposed with the tragic case of Daniel Naroditsky, underscores the complexity of substance abuse issues in society. Meanwhile, the death of Alexander Tokarev serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing human cost of the conflict in the region. Together, these events illustrate the diverse and severe challenges facing young people today, from addiction to the ravages of war, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.