Amateur Player Caught Cheating with Cell Phone at Dutch Chess Tournament

A lower-rated amateur player has been kicked out of the prestigious Hogeschool Zeeland University Chess Tournament in the Netherlands after being caught with a cell phone hidden in his sock. The player had raised suspicions earlier in the tournament by defeating much higher-rated masters with “almost perfect play,” according to organizers.

During the seventh round of the tournament, the player was observed heading towards the restroom with a cell phone hidden in his sock. When asked to be scanned, he initially refused, but eventually allowed it, and a cell phone was found. The player was subsequently removed from the tournament, and the organizers are reporting him to the Dutch Chess Federation.

This incident is not the first case of cheating in the Hogeschool Zeeland tournament, as a player from Singapore was suspended for two years in 2022 for cheating in the 2019 tournament. The issue of cheating in chess tournaments, both online and over-the-board, has become increasingly prevalent, leading organizers to adopt stricter anti-cheating measures.

The player’s previous results in the tournament are pending the outcome of the organizers’ report to the Dutch Chess Federation and an investigation by FIDE’s Fair Play Commission. This case could potentially be referred to FIDE’s Ethics & Disciplinary Commission.

Cheating in chess tournaments is a serious issue that can have far-reaching consequences for the integrity of the game. Organizers are working to implement measures to prevent cheating and ensure fair play for all participants.