Chess Player Expelled from Event in Spain for Cheating Accusations

The world of chess was rocked this week as a top player, Kirill Shevchenko, was expelled from a team chess championship in Spain after being accused of cheating by using a phone during bathroom breaks between moves.

The 22-year-old Ukrainian grandmaster, who represents Romania in competitions, had been taking extended bathroom breaks during games. Officials became suspicious and searched the stall he had used, where they found a phone that could have been used to get help from a computer program.

The phone had a handwritten note saying it was left for the owner to answer at night, and the handwriting and ink were similar to Mr. Shevchenko’s, according to reports. Additionally, Mr. Shevchenko made several rapid moves immediately after returning from the bathroom, raising further suspicions.

After being expelled from the event, Mr. Shevchenko’s previous games were changed to losses. The Romanian Chess Federation has stated that he denies the allegations and they will support him unless more concrete evidence is presented.

Cheating in chess is not unheard of, with high-profile incidents in the past involving accusations of cheating through various means. The International Federation of Chess (FIDE) has stated that they will investigate the incident and may impose sanctions on Mr. Shevchenko if he is found guilty.

The use of computer programs to aid in chess play has become more prevalent in recent years, but over-the-board play is meant to be a test of human intellect only. The incident involving Mr. Shevchenko serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cheating in the world of competitive chess.