Chess Scandal: Shevchenko Accused of Using Mobile Phone During Spanish Team Championship

Suspicion of Cheating Rocks Spanish Team Chess Championship

The Spanish Team Championship taking place in the African exclave of Melilla has been marred by a shocking incident of suspected cheating. Ukrainian player Kirill Shevchenko, representing the Romanian Chess Federation, has been at the center of the controversy.

Shevchenko, playing for the Silla team, was excluded from the championship after two rounds, with both of his game results being cancelled. His opponents, Amin Bassem and Francisco Vallejo, raised concerns about his behavior during the games.

Vallejo became suspicious when Shevchenko frequently left his seat to visit the toilet during their match. Each time Shevchenko returned, he made quick moves without much thought before disappearing again. Bassem also noted similar behavior after their game.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that Shevchenko was spending extended periods of time in the same toilet cubicle. Players are required to surrender their mobile phones and any devices that could aid in receiving external information to the arbiter before matches, but Shevchenko’s actions raised red flags.

Adding to the suspicion, a mobile phone was found in the hotel’s toilet with a note claiming it was for emergencies only. The handwriting on the note matched Shevchenko’s, and it was later revealed that he had left a second phone in the same cubicle.

After a thorough review, the Arbitration Court decided to exclude Shevchenko from the championship and award his opponents the victories. Shevchenko denies the allegations and has since left the club, repaying his fee in the process.

The Silla team has lodged an appeal against the decision, questioning the evidence linking Shevchenko to the phones. However, the Spanish Chess Federation stands by its decision to uphold fair play and combat cheating in the sport.

Despite the controversy, the Federation commended the cooperation of the Silla Chess Club and expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by the refereeing team and Appeals Committee. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining integrity in chess competitions.

As the tournament continues, the focus shifts to finding a replacement player for Silla and ensuring fair play for all participants.