French cheating case: latest updates

Because of the sensitivity of the subject, so far almost no details have emerged about the French cheating case. However, the French news website Europe-Echecs keeps on adding bits and pieces, and some of these were kindly translated into English by two of our readers.

We’ll start with a small recap, summarizing what it is all about. On January 24th we first reported about the cheating scandal in France: the French Chess Federation (FFE) accuses GMs Sébastien Feller and Arnaud Hauchard and IM Cyril Marzolo of organized cheating during the Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk last year. The French Chess Federation didn’t provide details, but it’s safe to say that the case is about computer assistance during play.

Not long after the publication of this communiqué, Sebastién Feller completely denied the accusations of cheating. Strangely enough, the 19-year-old French grandmaster immediately added that the accusations must be related to his open support for Kirsan Ilyumzhinov during the FIDE presidential elections (while the French federation supported Anatoly Karpov). French Chess Federation’s Vice President Leo Battesti called Feller’s remark “pathetic” and “insulting to our president and his federation”.

A few days later a communiqué was published on the French website Europe-Echecs, signed by the other team members in Khanty-Mansiysk: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Laurent Fressinet, Vladislav Tkachiev and Romain Edouard. The four grandmasters gave their full support to the federation in investing the case seriously.

During the Tata Steel Chess Tournament we spoke to one of the members of the French Olympic team. The player told us that the Olympic team members were preparing this joint statement. Because of the senstitivity of the subject, the player refrained from commenting any further.

Later, Laurent Fressinet and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave were interviewed on video by Europe-Echecs. Our reader Test left a translation in the comments:

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave says he learned about the affair shortly before Tata Wijk aan Zee when the federation informed him there would be an open letter about the investigation so that he would be prepared and not have to face some kind of news “bombshell”.

Laurent Fressinet says he was surprised and even shocked that their team could be under suspicion.

Both say they didn’t suspect anything during the Olympiad or noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Arnaud Hauchard was going to be mentioned in the open letter about the investigation and he is also the trainer and second of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. He didn’t accompany Maxime Vachier-Lagrave to Wijk aan Zee.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave: I talked to Arnaud Hauchard and my sponsor and we decided that under the current circumstances and at least until the investigation has finished it would be impossible that Arnaud Hauchard could accompany me to a tournament.

Have other players (in Wijk aan Zee) talked to you about the affair?
Laurent Fressinet: (in short) Yes, they wanted to know what really happened.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave: (in short) Yes, amongst others Anand & Carlsen. We try to cope as best as possible.
Laurent Fressinet: (paraphrasing) Considering the gravity of the situation and the accusations we understand all the concerns and that it takes time and have published our open letter to explain our position.

Then, click here to read full article.