Dear organisers of the European Women’s Chess Championship 2015,
I am writing in response to the attack I have been submitted to in the past few days in the European Women’s Chess Championship in Georgia.
First of all I would like to know what is the official reason of the interruption of the transmission of my game in round 6 against Nino Batsiashvili? That was a critical point in the tournament for me, I was leading the tournament and that interruption started to generate suspicions about my play.
I somehow managed to pull myself together after this incident and my 6th round loss, and win another game in round 7, but after this I was submitted to a very strong attack from several women chessplayers in a written letter.
In this letter they were expressing “concerns about the situation with M. Sandu’s performance” and asked to stop the live transrnissions of my garnes. The letter was signed by 15 chessplayers, the first signature on the list was of my next round opponent, N. Zhukova.
So I am writing this letter to file a complaint about their behaviour. What they did was a very dirty attack, permanently damaging my name in the chess world. Also want to mention Zhukova’s paltry behaviour is standing out as she was the main benefactor of the defamation campaign, making psychological attacks right before our game.
I play chess for a long time now and I have never cheated in my life. My life revolves around chess, I am both a chess teacher and a professional chess player so my name in chess is very important to me. I have come to this cornpetition after serious chess preparation, with great hopes of a good result and confidence in myself. But some people seem to think that if you have a good result, you have to be punished.
I have tried to stay calm and play as usual after this attack, but I have learned it’s impossible. There is an enormous psychological pressure and it’s difficult to find the energy to play normal chess. I even thought about withdrawing from the tournament, but my family and my dear ones support me and tell me to continue in spite of everything.
I also want to inform all 15 chessplayers who have signed the above mentioned letter that what they did is a very serious crime, smearing my name, and that together with my Federation we’re seeking legal counseling to make justice.
I hope this case is sent to FIDE and that they will take measures to prevent such situations in the future. I am looking forward to your official answer,
Mihaela Sandu
Source: Chess-News.ru
Chakvi EWICC 2015 organizers:
Yesterday, May 26, 2015, organisers received two letters from the participants. The first letter was signed by 32 players, the second by 15 players.
Regarding to the first letter, organisers agree with 32 players to delay 15 minutes transmission of all games on the internet from the round 8 to 11. We are sure, that such solution is a right way to avoid any suspicion of cheating, in general. But we don’t share concerns of “rising suspicions of cheating” in this tournament.
Regarding to the second letter, which is a serious accusation of Mrs. Sandu, organisers do not agree with 15 players. After consultation with arbiters and also with grandmasters, organisers are sure, that there is not any particular reason not to transmit games of Mrs. Sandu. Grandmasters have checked her games with different programs and did not find any use of computer help during the game.
We consider this accusation as unfair, insulting and creating some psychological pressure. We think that both letters should be seriously discussed in ECU to find the right way to protect players from advanced technology, so that not a single chessplayer is put under psychological pressure or undeserved insult.
Organisers ask those 15 players to show their respect to their colleague and to withdraw their signatures.
Organisers, in cooperation with arbiters, follows all rules included in FIDE Law of Chess according to cheating, which was announced during the Technical Meeting of EWICC 2015 in Chakvi:
During play, a player is forbidden to have a mobile phone and/or other electronic means of communication in the playing venue. If it is evident that a player brought such a device into the playing venue, he shall lose the game. The opponent shall win.
The arbiter may require the player to allow his clothes, bags or other items to be inspected, in private. The arbiter or a person authorised by the arbiter shall inspect the player and shall be of the same gender as the player. (11.3 FIDE Law of Chess)
So If you suspect, during the play, that your opponent is cheating you may announce this to the arbiter. Arbiter should observe your opponent and may decide to control him. But in case of a false accusation you may be penalized by the arbiter according to the Article 12.2 and 12.9 of the Laws of Chess (from warning to expulsion from the competition).
May 27, 2015
Tournament Director
Giorgi Giorgadze
Dear Mihaela Sandu,
The behavior of your opponents was shameful and was obviously motivated by their desire to throw you off your game. Suspecting someone is one thing, but making accusations without any evidence is, to my mind, bordering on the criminal, especially in a contest as important as the one you were competing in.
This was an awful thing to have happened to you, and I hope it doesn’t cloud your outlook on the beautiful game of chess you obviously love very much.
I’ll be thinking of you and hope to see you compete again soon.
Sincerely, Jim
Dear Grandmaster.
I have great difficulty that one can suspect you of such infamy. Believe me, many of us, have no credit given to this type of non event.
But there is some time, I had already listened to such problems for other players, and I thought that the acceleration opportunities programs to play and curiosity about the evolution of technology, or work for fast parts, attracted more and more suspicions and it is painful for many players at all levels … and a pity.
Especially for a historic Champion like you! On the other hand it is not a fair way to disrupt your concentration during the game.
I’m just a modest fan of your exceptional career and your righteousness …
With all my consideration and respect I wish you a long career , health, and happiness.
Since testing of Mihaela Sandu’s games against computer programmes apparently proved that there was no correlation, and since she won some games due to opponents making serious blunders, it seems that the accusers have no evidence of cheating. An accusation without evidence is itself cheating, and hopefully against FIDE rules.
I suggest the following sanctions:
For the signatories of the second letter (which specifically named Mihaela Sandu): a 1 year ban from all FIDE-sanctioned events
For those who only signed the first letter: an official warning not to repeat this cheating behaviour (with a ban for those who decide to do it again).
It would also be nice if the list of signatories was spread around so that organisers could make a choice about whether or not they want people like that in their tournaments.
And Mihaela, your name is safe – people know who the cheats are, and it’s not you 🙂
A shame the 15 chess players (cry babies) received so much attention with the puling and whining. Each and every chess player who signed the letter should be required to explain themselves before a board and tell why they felt there was cheating. If they have no facts they should be fined and or suspended from chess for a certain time.
Hello Susan, we were together in Madrid – chesshelpsyouthink.com. I met Mihaela in Chakvi, she was very, very friendly. I support Mihaela, that is why I cried on the closing ceremony: Sandu, Sandu.
Hello Susan
In future, why not show live games as now, but with a standard 30 minute delay?
It would make no real difference to the online spectators and ought
to be technically easy to arrange.
“…what is the official reason of the interruption of the transmission of my game in round 6 against Nino Batsiashvili?’ Was WGM Sandu playing her games in the same room as the other competitors, or was she off site and playing “online”?
What is the evidence that the player was cheating? I have seen no mention of what information or evidence the signers were relying on in bringing forth their despicable allegations?
There was no evidence. That is why a counter claim has been made against the players who signed the petition.
This is shameful and unprofessional behaviour on behalf of WGM Sandu’s opponents what next chess is a well run institution hope this is dealt with swiftly and professionaly
I am sympathetic with the offended player, and there is no way a game can be interrupted. Any search of forbidden devices must be done BEFORE or AFTER the game, absolutely not during the game. I suspect these accusations are spread to influence the games and to get unfair advantage.