The chess Grandmaster who was stripped of his title is Igors Rausis, also known by his alias Isa Kasimi. His title was revoked due to a cheating incident.
Who Was Igors Rausis?
Igors Rausis was a Latvian-born chess Grandmaster who achieved the prestigious GM title in 1993. Throughout his career, he played for several national federations, including Latvia, Bangladesh, and later the Czech Republic, under the name Isa Kasimi. He was an active participant in various international chess tournaments for decades.
Why Was His Title Stripped?
Igors Rausis had his Grandmaster title stripped following a severe cheating incident in 2019. He was caught using a mobile phone in a toilet during a tournament in Strasbourg, France. The use of electronic devices during a game is a strict violation of chess rules, as it can provide an unfair advantage by offering real-time assistance or analysis.
Following an investigation into the incident, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the international chess federation, imposed strict penalties:
- He was banned from all FIDE-rated chess competitions for six years.
- His highly esteemed Grandmaster title was stripped, a rare and significant punishment that underscores FIDE's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport.
This case served as a major reminder within the chess community about the severe consequences of cheating and the importance of fair play. Igors Rausis passed away at the age of 62.
Key Facts About Igors Rausis
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Igors Rausis |
| Alias | Isa Kasimi |
| Nationality | Latvian (represented Latvia, Bangladesh, Czech Republic) |
| GM Title Awarded | 1993 |
| Reason for Title Stripping | Cheating (using a mobile phone during a game) |
| Consequence | Stripped of GM title, 6-year ban from competition |
| Age at Passing | 62 years old |
FIDE's Stance on Cheating in Chess
FIDE maintains a robust and continually evolving policy against cheating to safeguard the integrity and fairness of chess. With the advancement of technology, measures against electronic cheating have become increasingly stringent. Key aspects of FIDE's anti-cheating protocols include:
- Strict Prohibition of Electronic Devices: Players are generally not allowed to possess mobile phones, smartwatches, or any other electronic communication devices in the playing hall.
- Random Checks and Scans: Arbiters may conduct random checks on players or use electronic scanning equipment to detect hidden devices.
- Delayed Game Broadcasts: Live broadcasts of top-level games are often delayed by a few minutes to prevent external assistance from reaching players.
- Severe Penalties: The penalties for cheating are harsh, ranging from forfeiture of games and expulsion from tournaments to lengthy bans and the stripping of titles, as seen in the case of Igors Rausis.
These measures highlight FIDE's dedication to ensuring that chess remains a contest of intellect, strategy, and pure skill, free from external interference.
