Chess Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko Faces Three-Year Ban for Cheating

Shevchenko's Disqualification and Ban

Chess grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has received a three-year ban from all FIDE-rated events and has been stripped of his grandmaster title due to a cheating incident. Although one year of the ban is suspended, it is conditional on no further violations occurring.

Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, emphasized the organization's commitment to addressing cheating among elite players, stating, "FIDE takes cheating cases among top players with the utmost seriousness. We are working hard on both prevention and swift, appropriate sanctions. Ensuring fair play is non-negotiable – it is essential to the credibility and future of our sport."

This decision marks Shevchenko as the highest-rated grandmaster to be banned by FIDE for cheating. The ban is effective from October 19, 2024, to October 18, 2026, while the revocation of his grandmaster title takes effect immediately following the official announcement.

Initially, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission's First Instance Chamber ruled on March 15, 2025, to suspend Shevchenko for three years without stripping his title. However, after an appeal from Shevchenko and a cross-appeal from FIDE's Fair Play Commission, the case was re-evaluated.

The cheating incident occurred during the Spanish Team Championship held from October 12 to 18, 2024. A mobile phone was found in a private restroom with a note stating, "Do not touch! The phone is left for a guest to answer at night," raising suspicions, especially after a cleaning staff member reported finding a similar phone the previous day. This led to an investigation that ultimately implicated Shevchenko, resulting in his disqualification from the tournament.

Shevchenko faced accusations from two opponents, GM Francisco Vallejo Pons and GM Bassem Amin, who alerted officials about his frequent departures from the board. This prompted a deeper investigation by the arbiters.

While Shevchenko admitted to hiding a phone in the restroom, he denied using it for assistance during games. However, FIDE's report indicated that he later acknowledged using the Lichess application on the device, contributing to the severe disciplinary action. At just 22 years old, Shevchenko's case has become one of the most notable cheating scandals in recent chess history.