Shevchenko suspected of using a mobile phone

The Spanish Team Championship, whose Honour Division is currently playing for the title in the Spanish exlave of Melilla in Africa, has been overshadowed by a suspicion of cheating. The 22-year-old Ukrainian Kirill Shevchenko, who has been playing for the Romanian Chess Federation since 2023, was excluded from the championship after two rounds. Both of his game results were cancelled.

Shevchenko plays for the Silla team. He won his first game against Amin Bassem and defeated Francisco Vallejo in the second round.

After Shevchenko left his seat unusually often in the second round to visit the toilet, Franciso Vallejo became suspicious and complained to the referee. Every time Shevchenko returned from the toilet, he made several moves without thinking twice and then disappeared again. Amin Bassem had also complained about Shevchenko's unusual behaviour after round one.

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The arbiter looked into the matter and realised that Shevchenko always disappeared into the same cubicle in the toilets and stayed there for long periods of time. 

At all chess tournaments, players are required to hand in their mobile phones and all devices that can be used to receive information from outside, such as smartwatches or smart pens, to the arbiter. They must also agree to an investigation if it is suspected that a player is carrying an electronic device.

According to El Mundo, the day before, the cleaning service had already found a mobile phone in the toilet of the hotel where the playing hall is located, with a note attached to it saying: "Do not touch! This phone is for emergencies when guests need to make calls at night". 

The cleaning service found this unusual and handed the phone in at reception. As it turned out later, the handwriting on the message was identical to Kirill Shevshenko's handwriting and was written with the pen he uses to fill out his notation sheet. After losing the first mobile phone, Shevchenko had apparently left a second smartphone in the toilet cubicle.

After hearing all parties, the Arbitration Court decided before the third round on Monday to exclude Shevchenko from the championship and to declare his games won by his opponents. However, Silla has lodged an appeal against this decision, as the team management does not consider it 100% proven that the two mobile phones were actually deposited by Shevchenko. However, it is recognised that the suspicions are serious.

Kirill Shevchenko denies all allegations and has repaid his fee to his club. The player has since left the club. The Silla team management is currently endeavouring to find a replacement player, but will have to compete with one less player until then.

Shevchenko's team, Silla - Integrant Col.lectius, facing MyInvestor Casablanca (right) during the second round of the event | Photo: Spanish Chess Federation

Official statement by the Spanish Chess Federation

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Today the player Kirill Shevchenko, member of the team of Silla-Integrant Col.lectius has been sanctioned with the loss of his games played in the first and second round, as well as his expulsion from the Spanish Team Championship.

The reason was the use of mobile devices during his games.

From FEDA, we would like to thank the collaboration and willingness of the Silla Chess Club, Silla - Integrant Col.lectius team, facilitating at all times the investigation and resolution of this unpleasant matter.

We are also grateful for the diligent work of the refereeing team and the Championship Appeals Committee.

The results of round 1 and round 2 have been modified, respectively:

• Round 1: SILLA-INTEGRANT COL.LECTIUS, 4 - DUO BENIAJAN COSTA CALIDA, 2
• Round 2: MYINVESTOR CASABLANCA, 4 - SILLA-INTEGRANT COL.LECTIUS, 2

FEDA maintains a firm commitment against cheating in chess, acting in the strongest possible way in any case that is detected. We deeply regret that these events have occurred.

Regardless of the resolutions that may be adopted by the FIDE Ethics Commission in this case, FEDA will take all disciplinary measures that correspond to the unsportsmanlike behaviour of the player, respecting at all times his right of appeal and defence.

We wish to state, in any case, that this individual behaviour has nothing to do with the impeccable performance of his Club and the rest of the members of the Team.

Madrid, 14^th October 2024.

SPANISH CHESS FEDERATION

Links

• News article on El Mundo
• Spanish Chess Federation website
• Kirill Shevchenko wins Lindores Abbey Blitz Tournament