Kirill Shevchenko Expelled from Spanish Championship

Romanian chess grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has been expelled from the 2024 Spanish Team Championship after being accused of using a mobile device during matches. His draws against GM Bassem Amin and GM Francisco Vallejo were turned into losses following an investigation sparked by Vallejo's complaint about Shevchenko's frequent bathroom visits. A mobile phone was discovered hidden in a toilet alongside a note in Shevchenko's handwriting, which raised further suspicions. The Spanish Chess Federation stated its commitment to fair play and took decisive action against Shevchenko, who denies the allegations. The Romanian Chess Federation is awaiting more evidence before officially commenting. Shevchenko, who became a grandmaster at 14, has since returned the prize money and left the tournament.