Cheating Scandal Rocks Chess World: Ukraine-born GM Expelled from Spanish Team Championship

A cheating scandal has rocked the chess world as 22-year-old Ukraine-born GM Kirill Shevchenko was expelled from the Spanish Team Championships for reportedly hiding and using a mobile phone in the toilet during his games. Shevchenko, who has consistently been in the top 100 and top 50 rankings, could face rare consequences if found guilty by the FIDE Ethics Commission.

The incident occurred during the Spanish Team Championship Honor Division in Melilla, where Shevchenko’s opponent, Francisco Vallejo, raised concerns about his prolonged absences from the board. Shevchenko claimed he was feeling unwell and needed to visit the toilet frequently. However, suspicions arose when other players and the organizing committee noticed his suspicious behavior.

After a search, a phone was found in a toilet cubicle with a handwritten note instructing not to touch it until the owner could answer it at night. The handwriting and ink on the note matched Shevchenko’s scoresheets, and the phone’s time zone was set ahead to that of Romania, where Shevchenko currently represents.

The Spanish Chess Federation has modified Shevchenko’s results from the first two rounds to forfeits and losses. Despite the evidence against him, Shevchenko has denied all charges so far.

The chess community is shocked by this scandal involving one of the strongest young GMs in the game. Stay updated with the latest developments in this story and other sports news on Hindustan Times.