In an unfortunate event that occurred a few minutes back at the Dubai Open 2017, Surat-based Indian player Jeel Shah, rated 1764, was suspended from the tournament for cheating during the game.
The incident came to light when Jeel was playing another Indian player Dushyant Sharma of Delhi, rated 2013, at the 2017 Dubai Open. Both the players had scored 0/2 in the first two rounds. In the third round, just out of the opening, the arbiter noticed suspicious behavior by Jeel which led him to investigate the matter further.
Jeel Shah's opponent for the game, 14-year-old Indian talent Dushyant Sharma, spoke to ChessBase India and explained what transpired: "Nine moves into the game, we had used up about 25 minutes on the clock, the arbiter arrived at our table and asked Mr. Jeel Shah if he is carrying any mobile phone. Mr. Jeel said he did not have any phone with him. After two minutes, the arbiter came again and asked him to stand up so the officials can check his arm. Jeel Shah refused to comply. Jeel further said,"I am getting disturbed and I will meet you after the game." The arbiters were not convinced and asked him to come with them for a body checkup. They were gone for a while and after some minutes, the arbiter returned to my table to tell me that I had won the game."
When asked by the arbiter to allow for a checkup, Jeel refused which resulted in a thorough check up where he was found to be cheating.
He was immediately suspended from the game and the tournament.
21-year-old Jeel Shah receiving a prize in an under 1600 tournament in India. [Photo: King's Chess Academy]
Jeel Shah in Dubai [Photo from Jeel's Facebook]
But this is not the first time Jeel Shah has come under the radar for cheating. You can read about the previous instances in the ChessBase India report here.
