FIDE Imposes Three-Year Ban and Title Revocation on Chess Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko

FIDE has penalized chess grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko with a three-year ban from all FIDE-rated events and a forfeiture of his grandmaster title following a cheating scandal. A segment of the ban is suspended, but only if no further misconduct occurs. This action underscores FIDE’s commitment to upholding fair play. Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, emphasized the importance of severe sanctions for cheating to protect the sport’s integrity. The ban extends from October 19, 2024, to October 18, 2026, according to the FIDE ruling, with the title revocation effective immediately. The initial decision by the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission’s (EDC) First Instance Chamber on March 15, 2025, included the three-year ban, which was later reevaluated after Shevchenko’s appeal and FIDE’s Fair Play Commission’s cross-appeal.
The cheating incident took place during the Spanish Team Championship in October 2024. A mobile phone was found in a restroom with a note, which raised concerns. The tournament organizers began an investigation that implicated Shevchenko, leading to his disqualification. The investigation was initiated because of concerns raised by two of Shevchenko’s opponents, GM Francisco Vallejo Pons and GM Bassem Amin, who informed the arbiters about his unusually long absences. Although Shevchenko admitted to hiding the phone, he disputed using it for chess assistance. However, the FIDE report included his acceptance of using the Lichess application, which factored into the disciplinary outcome. At 22 years old, Shevchenko’s case is one of the most high-profile instances of cheating in modern chess.