Scandal erupts at Spanish Team Chess Championship: Kirill Shevchenko expelled over phone incident

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The 2024 Spanish Team Chess Championship, held in Melilla from October 12-18, has been rocked by controversy after 22-year-old Grandmaster (GM) Kirill Shevchenko was expelled from the tournament. Shevchenko, who plays for C.A. Silla – Integrant Col·lectius, was found to have violated FIDE’s strict rules regarding the use of mobile phones during games, leading to forfeits of his first two matches.

The incident unfolded during the second round when Shevchenko, who had recently switched from representing Ukraine to Romania, faced Spanish GM Francisco Vallejo. Vallejo reportedly raised concerns to the arbiters about Shevchenko’s frequent absences from the board. Following an investigation, a locked phone was discovered in the restroom, accompanied by a handwritten note. The phone was linked to Shevchenko, with similarities noted between the handwriting on the note and his scoresheets.

Forfeits and expulsion

Shevchenko’s round two victory against Vallejo and his round one draw against Egyptian GM Bassem Amin were overturned, resulting in losses for both games. The chief arbiter, Oscar Bruno de Prado Rodriguez, issued a formal statement explaining the decision, citing Article 12.8 of the FIDE rules, which prohibits the use of electronic devices during play. Shevchenko was subsequently expelled from the championship.

In his statement, de Prado Rodriguez said:

Firmly believing and in light of the evidence gathered throughout the investigation that this player has made use of the mobile phone during the game… I decide to impose the following sanction: to forfeit the two games played… and to expel Kirill Shevchenko from the competition as it is considered a very serious infringement.

The arbiters’ investigation involved comparing the handwriting from the note found in the restroom to Shevchenko’s scoresheets from the first two rounds. The note was written in Spanish and appeared to offer an explanation for the phone’s presence, but it raised further suspicions when the phone’s time zone was discovered to be set one hour ahead of Spain, suggesting a possible connection to Shevchenko’s home country, Romania.

Shock and reaction

The incident has sent shockwaves through the chess community. Vallejo, whose game triggered the investigation, provided analysis that further fueled suspicion. Though Vallejo’s loss to Shevchenko was significant, it’s important to note that for much of the game, Shevchenko did not have access to the phone if he had indeed been using it.

Egyptian GM Bassem Amin, Shevchenko’s round one opponent, also commented on Shevchenko’s absences from the board, saying he was “still shocked” by the news. Amin recalled that Shevchenko frequently left the playing hall for extended periods during their game, which had initially seemed odd but was attributed to possible health issues. He stated that the behavior affected his focus, especially when Shevchenko returned to the board and played his moves quickly and accurately.

Investigation continues

The Spanish Chess Federation confirmed the expulsion and promised a thorough investigation. In a public statement, they thanked Shevchenko’s team for cooperating with the inquiry and reiterated their commitment to combating cheating in chess.

While Shevchenko has not yet publicly commented on the accusations, his team captain, Jose Antonio Garcia Domingo, chose not to make any statements for the time being. As the investigation progresses, a full report will be submitted to both the FEDA Technical Committee of Arbiters and the FIDE Ethics Committee.

The Road Ahead

The scandal casts a shadow over what has been a prestigious event, with some speculating about the future of chess ethics and security measures in professional competitions. The incident has reignited discussions about cheating in chess, both online and over-the-board, with increasing calls for stricter regulations and technology to prevent any potential foul play.

As the chess world waits for further developments, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining fairness and transparency in an age where technology can be both a tool and a threat to the integrity of the game.

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