Chess Grandmaster Expelled from Competition in Spain for Alleged Mobile Phone Use

Chess Grandmaster Expelled from Competition in Spain for Alleged Cheating

ANKARA – Kirill Shevchenko, a chess grandmaster representing Romania, has been expelled from a competition in Spain for allegedly using a mobile phone during the contests.

The Spanish chess body FEDA announced on Monday that Shevchenko, ranked world no. 69, was disqualified from the Spanish Team Championship in Melilla for using “mobile devices during the playing of his matches.”

In a statement, FEDA expressed its commitment against cheating in chess and stated that Shevchenko’s behavior was not reflective of his club or team members.

His club, Silla – Integrant Col·lectius, also announced on Facebook that they had ended their sporting relationship with Shevchenko following the cheating allegations.

During the tournament, Shevchenko’s absence from the board for extended periods raised suspicions. A mobile phone with a handwritten note was discovered in a toilet cubicle, leading to an investigation by match officials.

The Romanian Chess Federation emphasized their zero-tolerance policy for fair-play violations and stated that they were awaiting further details on the case.

Shevchenko, who earned his grandmaster title at the age of 14 in 2017, had switched to represent Romania in 2023. The allegations against him have sparked controversy in the chess community, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the incident.