A Romanian chess grandmaster, Kirill Shevchenko, was expelled from a national-level competition for allegedly using a mobile device during play at the Spanish Team Championship in Melilla. His draws were turned into defeats and the Spanish Chess Federation (FEDA) cited the usage of mobile devices during matches as the reason for his expulsion, emphasizing its commitment to preventing cheating in chess. Shevchenko’s team, Silla – Integrant Col·lectius, stated on Facebook that they reject any illegal or unsportsmanlike strategies and have terminated their relationship with him.
Shevchenko’s suspicious behavior during the tournament, including spending long periods away from the board, led to the discovery of a mobile device in a toilet cubicle along with a note that matched his handwriting. The Chief Arbiter confirmed the allegations, but the Romanian Chess Federation stated that they are awaiting solid evidence before making a conclusion, asserting their zero tolerance for fair-play violations. Shevchenko denied any wrongdoing when questioned during the competition and the Romanian Chess Federation continued to support him pending further information.
The Romanian Chess Federation directed CNN to its statement when contacted for comment regarding the incident. Shevchenko, who previously competed for Ukraine before switching allegiances to Romania, earned his grandmaster title in 2017 and reached a career-best ranking of No.39 in the world last year. FEDA thanked Shevchenko’s team for cooperating in the investigation, as well as the refereeing team and Appeals Committee of the Championship. CNN has reached out to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for their input on the matter.
Overall, the incident involving Kirill Shevchenko highlights the ongoing issue of cheating in chess competitions and the strict measures that organizations like FEDA take to combat such behavior. The conflicting statements from the Spanish and Romanian Chess Federations indicate the need for a thorough investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations against Shevchenko. Despite the accusations, Shevchenko’s denial and the support from his team demonstrate the complexity of the situation and the importance of due process in addressing cheating allegations in competitive chess. It remains to be seen how this incident will impact Shevchenko’s future in the chess world and whether further evidence will come to light to clarify the situation.
