FIDE bans Ukrainian Kirill Shevchenko for cheating, revokes Grandmaster title
Ukrainian Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko on Friday was banned for three years by FIDE, chess’ global governing body, after he was found guilty of breaching Article 11.7(e) of the FIDE Disciplinary Code, which pertains to cheating, by the Ethics & Disciplinary Commission.
The ban runs from 19 October 2024 until 18 October 2027, with the final year of this period being a suspended portion. His Grandmaster title, which he earned in 2017, was also revoked for the offence.
“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,” Dana Reizniece, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, said in a statement.
Shevchenko was initially banned for three years by the First Instance Chamber after allegations were levied on him for cheating by using a smartphone during the Spanish Team Championships in 2024. Shevchenko filed an appeal with the Ethics & Disciplinary Commission before the FIDE Fair Play Commission submitted a cross appeal.
The Ethics & Disciplinary Commission decided, by unanimity of its members, that the appeal by Kirill Shevchenko failed.
Published on Aug 30, 2025