Chess Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko Sanctioned by FIDE for Cheating

Kirill Shevchenko, a chess grandmaster, has been penalized by FIDE with a three-year ban from all FIDE-rated competitions and the loss of his grandmaster title due to a cheating scandal. The ban’s first year is conditionally suspended, pending good behavior. This ruling highlights the seriousness with which FIDE addresses cheating allegations among top players. The ban, effective from October 19, 2024, to October 18, 2026, was imposed by FIDE, and the title revocation is immediate. The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) initially made a ruling on March 15, 2025, initially suspending Shevchenko for three years; the stripping of his title occurred later. The case was re-examined following appeals from Shevchenko and cross-appeals from FIDE’s Fair Play Commission. The cheating occurred at the Spanish Team Championship in October 2024. A mobile phone with a message was found in a restroom, which prompted an investigation. The investigation led to Shevchenko’s disqualification from the event. Two opponents, GM Francisco Vallejo Pons and GM Bassem Amin, reported Shevchenko’s prolonged absences from the board, which initiated a deeper inquiry. While Shevchenko admitted to concealing the phone, he denied using it for chess-related purposes. FIDE’s report indicates that he later acknowledged using the Lichess application, leading to the ultimate disciplinary action. Shevchenko’s case is one of the most publicized cheating scandals in chess history, particularly given his age and ranking.