Two smartphones in the bathroom
The Spanish team championship, currently taking place in Melilla, has been overshadowed by suspicions of cheating. Ukrainian Kirill Shevchenko, 22, who has represented the Romanian Chess Federation since 2023, was excluded from the championship after two rounds. Shevchenko plays for the Silla team. He won his first game against Amin Bassem and beat Francisco Vallejo in the second round. The results of both his games were annulled and he was declared the loser.
After Shevchenko left his seat during the second round to go to the toilet with unusual frequency, he would return to play several shots in a row without seeming to think, then disappear again. His opponent Francisco Vallejo reported this to the referee. Amin Bassem had already complained about Shevchenko’s unusual behavior during the first round.
In all chess tournaments, players must hand over their cell phones and any devices that can be used to receive information from outside, such as smartwatches or smart pens, to the referee. They must also agree to an investigation if a player is suspected of carrying an electronic device. The referee investigated and found that Shevchenko always disappeared into the same toilet cubicle and stayed there for long periods.
According to El Mundothe day before, the cleaning service had already found a cell phone in the hotel toilet where the game room is located, with a note stuck on it saying: “Do not touch! The phone has been left for the customer to answer in the evening!”
The maintenance staff found this unusual and returned the phone to reception. It later turned out that the handwriting on the message was identical to Kirill Shevshenko’s and had been written with the pen he uses to write down his games. Apparently, after losing his first cell phone, Kirill Shevshenko left a second one in the toilet cubicle.
After hearing all sides, the tournament’s refereeing committee decided to exclude Shevchenko from the championship and declare his games won by his opponents. However, Silla has appealed against this decision, as the team management believes that it has not been 100% proven that the two cell phones were actually left by Shevchenko. Kirill Shevchenko, who denies all the allegations, has however returned his fee to his club and decided to leave the tournament on his own. Silla’s management are currently trying to find a replacement for him, but in the meantime, they will have to deal with one less player.
Shevchenko’s team, Silla-Integrant Col.lectius against MyInvestor Casablanca (right) in the second round of the event. | Photo: Spanish Chess Federation.
Official press release from the Spanish Chess Federation
Today, player Kirill Shevchenko, a member of the Silla-Integrant Col.lectius team, was sanctioned with the loss of his matches played in the first and second rounds, as well as his exclusion from the Spanish Team Championship for the following reason: use of mobile devices during games.
FEDA would like to thank the Silla Chess Club, the Silla Chess Team and the Silla Chess Club for their collaboration.–Integrant Col.lectius, who at all times facilitated the investigation and resolution of this unpleasant matter. We are also grateful to the refereeing team and the championship appeal committee for their diligent work.
The results of rounds 1 and 2 have been modified and are as follows respectively:
Round 1: SILLA-INTEGRANT COL.LECTIUS – DUO BENIAJAN COSTA CALIDA 4–2.
Round 2: MYINVESTOR CASABLANCA – SILLA-INTEGRANT COL.LECTIUS, 4–2.
FEDA maintains a firm commitment against chess cheating, acting in the strongest possible way in all detected cases. We deeply regret that these events have occurred.
Regardless of the resolutions that may be adopted by the FIDE Ethics Commission in this “fight against cheating” case, the FEDA will take all disciplinary measures that correspond to the player’s unsportsmanlike behavior, respecting at all times his right of appeal and defense.
We would like to make it clear, in any case, that this individual behavior has nothing to do with the impeccable performance of your club and the rest of the team members.
Madrid, October 14, 2024.
Spanish Chess Federation (FEDA)
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