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Monday, January 24, 2011

French Cheating Scandal - Feller Contests and Counter-Attack!s


Hello everybody!

Following our post "Scandal: French Chess Grandmasters Accused of Cheating" 3 days ago, and 58 comments as of now, the world is following the situation, amazed that there could be such a serious accusation, without presenting the facts. Many are accepting the accusations without asking questions.

Even the New York Times Chess Blog wrote a story about the scandal yesterday.

The issue is that, as some people in the comments to our first post have mentioned, that the players should be considered innocent, until the discipline commission, after duly verifying the facts, prove and decide otherwise. A mistake would prove very costly both to the accusing and to the accused.

We just received an email from GM Sébastien Feller himself, who made an official statement, stating that he totally contests the accusations, and that they were caused by totally different reasons such as the fact that he supported Ilyumzhinov in the FIDE election, and that he talked about accounting irregularities of the French Chess Federation. Feller says he hired a lawyer to counter-attack the French Federation. Read the official statement by Sébastien Feller below:

Here is my official answer to the French Federation :

Official Statement from Sebastien Feller :

Je conteste totalement les accusations de tricherie de la Fédération Française d' Echecs.
Cette procédure disciplinaire est en réalité liée au fait que j'ai soutenu lors des Olympiades,
l' actuel président de la FIDE en opposition avec l 'acutelle direction de la Fédération
Française des Echecs. Le président de la FIDE est d' ailleurs diffamé sur le blog de Jean-Claude Moingt, lequel prétend qu 'il a bénéficié de procurations fictives. De plus, j' ai fait état lors
de conversations privées, lesquelles ont été répétées, d' irrégularités comptables de la Fédération Française (des précisions seront données ultérieurement), lesquelles ont déclenché la colère du président. J'ai demandé à mon avocat, Me Charles Morel, d' engager une action en justice en dommages et intérêts contre la Fédération Française pour avoir de façon injustifiée cité mon nom dans un communiqué, repris sur tous les sites français et étrangers, ainsi que dans la presse internationale.

Best regards,
Sébastien Feller

Dirty. And definitely not good for chess.

Feel free to post your comments below, but please try to be fair. As far as we know, or don't know, nothing has been proven yet, and we don't know who's right. We don't want to be a chess blog with cheap anonymous negative vibes floating around. We love chess and chess players, and we ask you to do the same!

Posted on Alexandra Kosteniuk's




67 comments:

  1. Nothing new in my opinion. Chess and politics have always been tied together. We don't have enough data to support anything and probably there is a lot of mud being thrown in both directions.

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  2. Saira Fernando, MadridJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    I hope so badly that Feller is innocent. He is only 19 I just read. BUT more than that we have some of the most wonderful people in the chess world. It would be very bad if things come out in bad light. I pray that chess retain its sanctity.

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  3. Alexis Cochran, New ZealandJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    The issue is that, as some people in the comments to our first post have mentioned, that the players should be considered innocent, until the discipline commission, after duly verifying the facts, prove and decide otherwise. A mistake would prove very costly both to the accusing and to the accused.

    Good stand Alexandra. That's the way to go. I think they are innocent. They're grandmasters of course.

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  4. Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New DelhiJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:47 AM

    It is indeed a very sensitive issue. But we cannot say. The only thing that worries me is why would a Federation send a letter to Fide without proof but then with so much politics happening all around one never knows. I am sure truth shall prevail and let's all hope that it is in favour of chess.

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  5. Alexis Cochran, New ZealandJanuary 24, 2011 at 2:49 AM

    I just want to add here something that I could not in the previous post. @saira - she said something about men being involved and no women are ever involved in a cheating scandal. I doubt if this is a gender issue. Also I would request Saira to refrain from making gender-related comments. My request should be taken as one from a friendly fellow chess lover. I notice that there is only one person who has a gender-related bias on this entire blog. I love chess and I love women who play chess but let's face the fact men are better - for now.

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  6. Let truth shine bright.

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  7. Je souhaite le meilleur pour les joueurs d'échecs. Hope il n'ya pas de dommages aux échecs et au titre de grand maître après cela. Je me sens très triste de toute cette affaire.

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  8. Très triste. La vérité doit briller.

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  9. Isn't chess the most fair game in the world? You make all your moves on the board and nothing is hidden? Then why cannot everyone just get on with being fair and let everything be ok. Hope everything turns out to be in the welfare of chess. Thanks Chess Queen for showing a fair course of action.

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  10. As long as the Carlsens and Nakamuras and Kramniks and Anands of my chess world keep giving me such fantastic games I couldn't care less what anyone else is up to. I love you Carlsen. I love you Carlsen sooooooooo much. Sorry Chess Queen have to say that on your blog as I am a girl. But okay seriously speaking I hope they didn't cheat. It wouldn't feel nice.

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  11. What a mess - poor kid.

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  12. Let's just forget all this and let the Federation figure it out. My heart says maybe they didn't cheat - after reading this - but then one can never know. Let's talk of Carlsen and Nakamura and Anand and the pretty girls at Corus and hope that Chess remains untainted.

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  13. Can anyone tell me What was the correct response to
    9.g4 ? in Carlsen-Nakamura in Corus R8?

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  14. Amrit Puri, Knights Chess Club, New DelhiJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:37 AM

    You're asking your question in the wrong blog post @Andre. However, speaking about the scandal, I remember when the Indian cheating episode happened. One player got banned for 10 years and the other didn't. But it was all very confusing and everyone felt very upset and insecure. You know what I mean. As chess players what else do we have but a fair victory over the board - the money, the prize, the publicity nothing counts - it's priceless that victory - every single time - when you win fair and square on the board. I will take my vote for these grandmasters. If they are truly grandmasters, if they have truly drunk to the lees the joy of chess, they would not have been able to cheat. Hope nothing comes of it. But then... damn the doubt. If it does a lot of people will be sad across the world.

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  15. Janet Llewyn, LondonJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Overall very sad either way. Whoever is wrong in this episode should be drowned in the English Channel. All very stupid. I hope we go on playing chess in Europe - nay the world - with the same undiluted love.

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  16. You're so cute in your comments in your post. Love you Alexandra. Please give more interviews. Please. Then your good opinions and your good vibes will float around. All of us would love that as it would be enough to counter all the negative vibes in the beautiful world of our chess.

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  17. They should speed up the inquiry because every hour is worsening the pain - for the kid Feller and for all chess fans. Sad overall. Whatever be the reasons chess should be kept away from all this. Those who prove guilty should be dealt with strictly.

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  18. What is the process of inquiry - how will they set up a commission or panel? I would like to know that Alexandra. Will the inquiry be fair?

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  19. Barbara Cole, ArgentinaJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:46 AM

    los jugadores de ajedrez verdad no puede engañar

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  20. For everyone's benefit here is the English translation of Feller's letter. My sympathies with the kid - that is if he has not cheated.

    I completely deny the accusations of cheating from the French Federation of Chess. This disciplinary procedure is in fact related to the fact that I supported during the Olympics, the current president of FIDE in opposition to the leadership of the French Federation. The president of FIDE is in fact defamed on the blog of Jean-Claude Moingt, which claims that it has received proxies fictitious. In addition, I have reported at
    private conversations, which were repeated, for accounting irregularities of the French Federation (details will be given later), which have angered the president. I asked my lawyer, Charles Morel, to initiate legal action for damages against the French Federation for having unjustifiably mentioned my name in a statement included on all French and foreign sites, as well as in the international press.

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  21. I know Feller personally. I don't think he has cheated.

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  22. I hope a fair inquiry takes place. With so much politics happening at Fide level and at the level of national federations across the world one can never be sure. Trust me there is politics all over. This is not just one isolated case. I am a great fan of Koneru Humpy and I know her Federation doesn't support her at all. There are other cases too. Hope the truth is told.

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  23. Ethan Richards, Sheffield, UKJanuary 24, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    The French Chess Federation (FFE) announced that it initiated on December 22, 2010, disciplinary action against the International Grandmasters Arnaud Hauchard and Sebastien Feller as well as against International Master Cyril Marzolo, on suspicion of "organized cheating, serious breach of sport ethics, undermining the image of the national Olympic team, at the World Team Chess Championship that took place in Khanty-Mansyik (Russia) from September 21 to October 3, 2010”. Information on this procedure has also been sent to the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and Ministry of Sports, as the overseeing administration of the FFE.

    NOTE THE WORD SUSPICION. I don't get it how a fair inquiry can be conducted. Who would conduct it?

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  24. If Feller is innocent then what?

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  25. President of discipline court french fed said...

    What you read is the claim of French fed. Now, starting from 6/1/2011, there is a 3 months official process before the French chess discipline court (an independent commission of FF) examine the facts and decide guilty or not. There is no "live evidence" by arbiters during the Olympiads. Things could be more complicated than related, we need to wait, please, without forgetting that they must be considered innocent as long as the discipline court has not stated otherwise.

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  26. WAIT FOR JUDGEMENT I repeated.
    Two strong of bad news in chess world in January one month alone and FIDE quiet. Hope not bad enough for everyone to spoil the fact of gm title for everyone who is playing chess in today's world.

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  27. Sebastian Wolff, MarylandJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:17 AM

    Fide has too much work these days - women's open letter, Feller issue, candidates matches, european women's event - i think i should apply for a job with them to speed up things. i am a good manager.

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  28. Tina David, New DelhiJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:20 AM

    I suggest Fide run a 'Voice of the Players' Forum on their official website and appoint one person to monitor it round the clock. At least they will know what is happening in the world with each discussion thread started. Everyone speaks from Alexandra Kosteniuk to Elizabeth Paehtz to New York Times, from super news websites like chessbase and chessvibes even ACP and players but FIDE keeps mum in all issues.

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  29. Yawn. I have to study Najdorf now so no time to comment.

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  30. Herbert Clayton, Jr. NevadaJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    My recommendations for setting up the commission to look into the accusations - 1. All American five member panel of chess organizers and/or players - nominated or volunteered. One French Fed, one Fide and one representative nominated by Feller. 2. Only Americans know how to handle this properly 3. A public debate on the findings that should be disclosed and posted on Fide website.

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  31. Why doesn't Feller write a blog? His side of the story.

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  32. Take off all chess databases from computers and the Internet. Hold tournaments with wireless protection that prevents communication of electronic signals. Players should not be allowed to chat with others in the hall during the tournament. They can roam around though. Particularly at the Olympiad we should have 'sentinels' to watch if people who get up are giving signals etc. Like we have ballboys and girls in tennis - watching the baseline.

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  33. I am sponsoring a match between Chess Queen and all the accused. Then Chess Queen can assess and tell us if their level of game is up to the GM level. That would be a valid contribution to the inquiry as we would know if Feller's performance was genuine or not at the Olympiad.

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  34. @jason But don't hold the match in Antakya.

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  35. Feller is 19 and was rated 2649 at the time of the Olympiad at which he scored 6/9 (+5=2-2) performing at 2708. Thus his performance was not that much stronger than his rating but it happened that he was one of the strongest regularly fielded board fives.

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  36. William (Vilim) Feller born Vilibald Srećko Feller (July 7, 1906 – January 14, 1970), was a Croatian-American mathematician specializing in probability theory.

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  37. This fella Feller ain't cheatin' in me humble opinion. Wink. Or maybe he dah. Shrug.

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  38. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umakant_Sharma the Indian guy who was banned.

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  39. Does he have a girlfriend? What does she have to say? Even if he's cheating in chess it's ok. Hope he doesn't cheat on her. Folks there is life beyond chess. Chess is my life, but not my whole life... now who said that?

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  40. Chess is my life, but my life is not chess.
    Anatoly Karpov

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  41. Larry Solomon, ColomboJanuary 24, 2011 at 4:55 AM

    Urgent. I say if no thing proved now then French Federation who issue this statement try to frame Feller. So if that true that Federation try to frame Feller then how fair commission report is possible so first we have to go for independent fair committee. MOST IMPORTANT. Alert to lawyer of Feller.

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  42. Overall sad for chess either way - guess both sides cannot be innocent. So either way sad for chess. God help us.

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  43. Asheema Thapa, Aniruddha Thapa, Vishnu, Holi, Sheema and all your fans from Kathmandu, NepalJanuary 24, 2011 at 5:03 AM

    Love your posts Chess Queen. Chessblog.com is #1

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  44. I doubt if they'd cheat at the Olympiad that also for gold on board 5 - but then really i don't know how to react. Just very difficult to see the whole situation. It's sad for chess overall.

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  45. Pourquoi tricher quand vous pouvez jouer et gagner?

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  46. Breaking news - Carlsen cheated yesterday when he beat Nakamura. Come on just because someone is playing great we have to say they cheated or just because someone is playing bad we say they are not working hard. Leave the Carlsens and Fellers alone. They have a life they know what they're doing. Let's just enjoy the chess all around.

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  47. Il ne faut pas discuter plus. Je me sens triste.

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  48. There is no peace anywhere. I might as well sit at home and play by myself. What is the world coming to - cheating online, cheating at local tournaments and now possibly the Olympiad as well. Hopefully it is all untrue and the phase would pass. Bad day for chess though.

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  49. What I don't like is that the French Federation put up the news and possibly a press release without clear details. Maybe it would have been better that the inquiry had first been conducted and then they had put up the news about whether such a thing had happened or not. Not liking the whole thing though. Hope Feller is innocent but if he is not then everyone who loves chess actually gets punished with him. Not good for our sport.

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  50. Life will go on. But the hesitation and the fear that your results could depend upon the dishonesty of your opponent will remain. Sad.

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  51. Now wait for three months for the decision to decide by the commission to decide who was the joker at the circus. Meanwhile we keep playing chess ha.

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  52. French, Feller and the fishy connection. Forgive our sins O' Lord.

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  53. Sentinel of the MountainsJanuary 24, 2011 at 8:13 AM

    Hope all comes out well for chess. Thanks for keeping us updated Alexandra. Nice to know your views. Sensible gal. Sensible Chess Queen.

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  54. It feels very sad.

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  55. What I am not liking in this situation is that all the pressure seems to be upon the players to prove themselves not-guilty while I think the pressure should be upon the Federation to prove the charges. Let's hope the truth prevails.

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  56. What do Feller's colleagues say? Will their opinion matter?

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  57. Wie werden sie leiten die Anfrage?

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  58. We love you too Alexandra for a balanced post. Thanks.

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  59. I think the players would already know the truth. If you are mean or a cheater then the streak continues no matter how many times you are pulled up and no many how many times you defend yourself. So in essential it's the French players in the national circuit who would already know the truth. Point is will we get to know the truth or is this going to be one chess politics story with the innocent hanged? (Meanwhile as my friend said I love you too Chess Queen. When do you play in Paris next? Not sure as your calendar seems quite hectic.)

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  60. Hounding a 19-year-old for chess politics. I don't like it. Hope he wins but he would have to fight this to the end which is kind of difficult. Will the players support him?

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  61. Why does Fide have to be keep mum every time something happens concerning players? They should be the first to speak up. Also I fully support the suggestion that there should be a players' forum at the Fide website. I hope Feller finds support if he is on the side of the truth. Though I doubt very much that such a kid would bother to cheat. He has really nothing much to gain. At 19 and as a grandmaster you have way too many tournaments to play and if you don't perform your rating would plummet and show your real strength.

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  62. Unfortunately it's a Catch-22 for Chess - Either the Federation is lying or a grandmaster is lying. How are we in this mess?

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  63. Gerade gesehen, diesen Bericht. Sie wissen nicht wie sie reagieren. It's all quite shocking really.

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  64. Good publicity for Feller particularly if he comes out clean. He can then write a bestseller on the entire subject. In any case his opponents would be more than nervous playing him now. But on the serious side - all this very sad for chess. Bad it's in my country.

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  65. Though we must withhold judgement it is very unlikely that the French Federation would make public such accusations unless it had very strong evidence and corroboration by at least one person. Feller's absurd response that the accusations were invented because he supported lyumzhinov and because he unearthed financial irregularities within the Federation smacks of desperation.

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  66. Here's a link
    http://www.yonne-echecs.org/articles/Feller_ChptParis2011-eng.html
    Steve.

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  67. alexandra ce site est vraiment magnifique continue comme ça ...

    la fédération française n'a presque plu aucune crédibilité pour beaucoup de joueurs français et je pense que cette histoire va la discréditer encore plus ... le problème c'est que maintenant ça va retentir sur les joueurs et c'est bien dommage


    alexandra this site is really wonderful as it continues ...

    The French federation has rained almost no credibility for many French players and I think this story will further discredit the Federation ... the problem is that now it will sound on the players and that's a shame

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