Image credit: Instagram/@kirill_shevchenko22
Romanian Grandmaster Expelled from Spanish Chess Championship Over Cheating Allegations
Romanian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has been expelled from the 2024 Spanish Team Chess Championship following allegations of cheating.
The 22-year-old chess prodigy, originally from Ukraine, was found to have hidden a mobile phone in a toilet during the tournament, which is being held in the Spanish city of Melilla from October 12 to 18.
Shevchenko’s Games Overturned
Shevchenko, representing C.A. Silla – Integrant Col·lectius, was initially competing successfully, drawing against GM Bassem Amin in Round 1 and GM Francisco Vallejo in Round 2. However, both of these results have now been reversed to losses following his suspension by the tournament officials. The investigation began after Vallejo, his second-round opponent, raised concerns about Shevchenko’s repeated visits to the bathroom during their game.
Mobile Phone Found in Toilet
According to reports, Shevchenko initially claimed he was feeling unwell, which led to his frequent trips to the toilet. However, when his behavior continued to raise suspicions, the tournament arbiter asked for the cubicle he had been using to be inspected. A hidden mobile phone was discovered, along with a handwritten note in Spanish that read: “No toques! ¡El teléfono se dejó para que el huésped contestara por la noche!” (“Don’t touch! This telephone has been left so the owner can answer it at night!”).
Shevchenko Denies Cheating
Despite the evidence, Shevchenko has denied any wrongdoing. The incident has cast a shadow over the championship, especially given Shevchenko’s impressive history in chess. He became a Grandmaster at 14 and was part of the Ukrainian team that won the 2021 European Team Chess Championship.
The tournament has taken a strict stance on the matter, and there are calls for a potential deal where Shevchenko could face a one-year ban if he fully admits to his actions and provides information on any previous instances of cheating. This could mark a turning point in how the chess community handles allegations of cheating, particularly with the growing role of technology in the sport.
As the investigation continues, the expulsion of Shevchenko from the Spanish Team Championship serves as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to maintain fairness in chess competitions.
