UPDATE: Suspension of GM Kirill Shevchenko from Official Activities

The chess world was rocked by the recent suspension of Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko by the European Chess Union (EDC) following allegations of cheating during the Honor Division of the Spanish Club Chess Championship. The EDC’s decision came after a preliminary investigation by the Fair Play Commission (FPL) found a prima facie case against GM Shevchenko.

The suspension, which will last for 75 days until January 1, 2025, prohibits GM Shevchenko from participating in any official chess activities as a player. However, the EDC has stated that they are open to reconsidering their decision if a motivated request is submitted by GM Shevchenko within the next two weeks.

FPL will now conduct a full-fledged investigation into the incident to determine the extent of GM Shevchenko’s involvement in the alleged cheating offense, specifically the use of a phone during the competition. The decision to suspend GM Shevchenko was made in accordance with the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code, which allows for provisional suspensions in cases where a prima facie case can be made against the player.

While the suspension does not imply guilt, it is a necessary step to ensure the integrity of chess competitions under the auspices of FIDE. An Investigatory Panel led by Vincent Geeraets has been appointed to further investigate the allegations against GM Shevchenko.

The chess community awaits the outcome of the investigation and hopes for a fair and just resolution to this troubling incident. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.