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Sunday, July 3, 2011
French cheating case: sanctions suspended, Feller and Hauchard can play again
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Remember the French chess cheating scandal? Here is the latest via www.chessvibes.com: A Versailles court has suspended the French Chess Federation’s disciplinary sanctions against Sebastien Feller and Arnaud Hauchard, due to a formal defect. The two grandmasters are allowed to play official chess games again, pending a ruling in a trial court on the merits of the case.
The French cheating case seemed to have reached a ‘case closed’ status, but last Wednesday another chapter was added. The Court of Appeal in Versailles ruled that the disciplinary sanctions against Feller and Hauchard should be suspended until a trial court has ruled on the validity of the case. At the end of May, the players had decided to appeal against the decision of the court in Versailles to dismiss their emergency procedure. According to Europe-Echecs they argued that their suspension exposed them to substantial damage to their careers (and therefore created a prejudice), and that the procedure contained errors. As it turned out, they won this appeal, and regained their ‘licence to play’.
You can read more details at this link. You can also read a previous www.chessblog.com post about the incident at this link with lots of readers´views -
French team chess event begins without the cheating accused
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
We found a nice report on the French Teach chess event at www.chessvibes.com. According to them, the French Team Chess Championship begins without Feller, Hauchard and Marzolo - The three French players who were accused of cheating by the French Chess Federation saw their appeal rejected and their penalties increased.
The French Team Championship has started in Mulhouse and there are some strong GMs participating, e.g. David Navara, Pavel Eljanov, Le Quang Liem, Etienne Bacrot, Arkadij Naiditsch, Anish Giri and Loek van Wely.
The Top 12 of the French Team Championship takes place May 26th – June 5th, 2011 in Mulhouse, a city and commune in eastern France, close to the Swiss and German borders. In a round-robin, the strongest 12 teams fight for the French club title, with Chalons en Champagne defending their title.
After four rounds, four teams have won all their matches: Clichy, Evry Grand Roque, Marseille and host club Mulhouse Philidor. Also four players still have a 100% score: Alexander Riazantsev (one of Alexander Grischuk’s seconds in Kazan), Andrey Sokolov, Almira Skripchenko and Adrien Demuth. Among the players with 3.5/4 are Giri, Navara and Le Quang Liem.
A number of strong grandmasters are participating in Mulhouse. To name a few: Laurent Fressinet, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, Alexei Dreev, David Navara, Pavel Eljanov, Le Quang Liem, Arkadij Naiditsch, Etienne Bacrot, Anish Giri, Loek van Wely and Mikhail Krasenkow. Three French players are notably absent: Sebastien Feller, Arnaud Hauchard and Cyril Marzolo.
These three names dominated the news in the French and international chess scene in February and March of this year, in an ongoing story about cheating during the Olympiad last year.
Marzolo was sentenced to a 5-year suspension from play. Feller received a 3-year ban followed by 2 years of community service with the federation or another association. If he refused, the 2 years would be added to the suspension period. Hauchard was condemned to a lifetime ban from the duties of captain. Immediately after the verdict Feller’s lawyer, Charles Morel, announced that he would address the Appeals Committee; the lawyers of the other two players joined him.
You can refresh your memory about the French chess cheating scandal via our www.chessblog.com reports from this link.
Europe Echecs videos on French chess cheating scandal
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
Here are excellent videos from Europe Echecs on the reactions and views relating to the French chess cheating scandal that rocked our world recently. Sad overall.
French players IM Bellaiche, IM Wirig and GM Sebastien Mazé comment on the case (french)
Interview with GM Vallejo-Pons and GM Nepomniachtchi(English)
Interview with Jean-Claude Moingt, president of the French chess federation (French)
You can follow the thread of all www.chessblog.com posts on the French chess cheating scandal here.
French chess cheating scandal: Disciplinary Committee suspends 'guilty' players!
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
On Saturday the Disciplinary Committee of the French Chess Federation suspended GMs Sebastien Feller and Arnaud Hauchard and IM Cyril Marzolo, saying they were "guilty of a violation of sporting ethics”. The Committee concluded that there was enough proof that the three players cheated during the Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, in September last year.
19-year-old Sebastien Feller played an excellent Olympiad. Rated 2649, he won the gold medal on board 5 with a score of 6/9 and a TPR of 2708. Arnaud Hauchard was French team captain in Khanty-Mansiysk. The federation at this stage didn’t reveal any details about their accusations that Feller’s success was a result of cheating.
Not long after the publication of the communiqué, Sebastien Feller completely denied the accusations of cheating. However, in a communiqué published on the French website Europe-Echecs, the other team members in Khanty-Mansiysk – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Laurent Fressinet, Vladislav Tkachiev and Romain Edouard – gave their full support to the federation in investigating the case seriously. More details can be read here.
The meeting of the Disciplinary Committee took place on Saturday, March 19th in a hotel in Paris. Europe-Echecs has published an extensive report. You can also read more here.
Chess blog for latest chess news and chess trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hi everyone,
The French Chess Federation has put up the following letter on its website regarding the cheating scandal involving top French players at the Olympiad last year. Previous www.chessblog.com posts on the cheating scandal are as follows:
Décision du Juge des Référés La FFE a engagé, le 22 décembre 2010, une action disciplinaire à l'encontre de MM Sébastien FELLER, Arnaud HAUCHARD et Cyril MARZOLO, pour des faits de « triche organisée » pendant les Olympiades d'Echecs, qui se sont déroulées du 21 septembre au 3 octobre dernier à Khanty‐Mansyik (Russie). Cette plainte a été déclarée recevable par la Commission d'Appel et d'Ethique fédérale (CADE), qui a désigné un instructeur ; le dossier est désormais entre les mains de la Commission de Discipline de la FFE. Parallèlement, lors de l'audience du 24 février 2011, le Juge des Référés de Nanterre a examiné la demande de la FFE visant à obtenir « la désignation d'un huissier » pour « transcrire les messages entrants et sortants » depuis la ligne téléphonique de M. Cyril Marzolo vers les lignes téléphoniques de MM Sébastien Feller et Arnaud Hauchard, pendant la période des Olympiades de Khanty‐ Mansyik. Cette demande de la FFE était motivée par le fait que « Mme Joanna Pomian, vice‐présidente de la fédération, [s'était] rendue compte que cette ligne téléphonique, dont elle avait laissé l'usage à M Marzolo, était utilisée par ce dernier pour communiquer par mini‐messages avec M Hauchard qui (…) apportait ainsi une assistance illicite à M Feller, lequel participait à la compétition ». Il s'agissait pour la fédération, dans le plus strict respect de la législation et de la jurisprudence régissant le secret des correspondances, d'obtenir des pièces complémentaires à verser au dossier qui sera présenté à la Commission de Discipline de la FFE. Le Juge des Référés a considéré: - d'une part, que « bien qu'il ne soit pas lui‐même le souscripteur de la ligne téléphonique [en question], M Marzolo bénéficie du droit au secret des correspondances échangées par l'intermédiaire de cette ligne, dès lors que son usage permanent lui a été conféré par le titulaire de cette ligne, Mme Pomian », - d'autre part qu'« aucune disposition légale ne [lui] conférait le pouvoir de lever ce secret », dans la mesure où il ne peut y être porté atteinte « qu'en matière pénale ou de sécurité ». - enfin, le magistrat a jugé qu'« il serait inéquitable que MM Marzolo, Hauchard et Feller (…) supportent l'intégralité de leurs frais de procédure », et a condamné la FFE à leur en rembourser une partie. Ainsi qu'elle l'avait annoncé par un communiqué le 27 janvier dernier, la FFE se réserve donc le droit de saisir le juge pénal, qui pourra lever le secret des correspondances. Quoiqu'il en soit et compte tenu de la décision du Juge des Référés, la FFE, qui prend acte du refus catégorique des défendeurs de voir ces pièces remises à un huissier de justice, renonce à solliciter leur communication, qui n'auraient, en toute hypothèse, qu'ajouté aux différents éléments à charge du dossier disciplinaire. En tout état de cause, l'ordonnance du Juge des Référés s'est uniquement prononcée sur la possibilité d'obtenir communication du contenu des sms échangés, sans s'intéresser au fond du litige. C'est en effet à la seule Commission de Discipline qu'il appartiendra de se prononcer sur la réalité des faits de triche allégués, lors de son audience du samedi 19 mars 2011 à 10h30, à Paris. La FFE tient également à souligner qu'elle avait l'obligation absolue de diligenter cette procédure, afin : - d'une part, de dégager toute éventuelle responsabilité de Mme Pomian en tant que titulaire de la ligne téléphonique incriminée, - d'autre part, de respecter, conformément aux engagements pris devant les autorités de tutelle, les valeurs du sport et de l'éthique, qui sont au fondement même de son existence. Le Bureau Fédéral de la FFE Source: French Chess Federation
Translation
« ORGANIZED CHEATING » CASE
Decision of Judge in Chambers On December 22, 2010, the FFE initiated disciplinary action against Mr. Sébastien FELLER, Arnaud HAUCHARD, and Cyril MARZOLO, for acts of “organized cheating” during the Chess Olympiads, which took place from September 21st to October 3rd, 2010, at Khanty-Mansiysk (Russia). The complaint was declared admissible by the Federal Commission of Appeal and Ethics (CADE), which has appointed an instructor. The case is now in the hands of the Disciplinary Committee of the FFE. In the meantime, during the hearing on February 24, 2011, the Judge in Chambers in Nanterre considered the request of the FFE to obtain "the appointment of a bailiff" to "transcribe incoming and outgoing messages" from the telephone line Mr Cyril Marzolo to the telephone lines of Mr. Sébastien Feller and Arnaud Hauchard, during the Olympics of Khanty-Mansiysk. This request by the FFE came about after “Mrs. Joanna Pomian, vice-president of the federation, noticed that the phone which she had lent to Mr. Marzolo, had been used by him to send mini-messages to Mr. Hauchard who (…) thus procured illicit assistance to Mr. Feller, who partook in the competition.” The federation’s aim, in strict compliance with the legislation and case law governing the confidentiality of correspondence, was to obtain further documentation for the files to be submitted to the Disciplinary Committee of the FFE. The judge hearing determined: - Firstly, that "although he is not the personal subscriber of the telephone line [in question], M Marzolo has the right to secrecy of correspondence exchanged through this line, since its permanent was granted by the line’s owner, Mrs. Pomian. " - Furthermore that "no legal provision gave him the power to waive the confidentiality”, since it could be done “only in a criminal case or one of security." - Finally, the magistrate ruled that "it would be unfair for Mr Marzolo, Hauchard and Feller (...) to bear the full cost of the procedure", and ordered the FFE reimburse them part of the fees. As it had announced in a press release on January 27, the FFE therefore reserves the right to take the case to a criminal court, where the secrecy of correspondence could be lifted. Nevertheless , and given the decision of the Judge, the FFE, which notes the absolute refusal by the defendants to have these documents handed to a bailiff, will not seek their communication, which in any case would merely have added to the different elements regarding the disciplinary case. In any event, the Judge’s ruling only concerned the availability of the contents of the SMS exchanged, without addressing the case’s merits. It is entirely up to the Disciplinary Committee to rule on the reality of the alleged acts of cheating, at its hearing on Saturday, March 19, 2011, at 10:30 AM, at Paris. The FFE also wishes to emphasize that it had an absolute obligation to expedite this procedure in order to: * Clear Mrs. Pomian of any eventual responsibility as owner of the incriminated phone line,
* Secondly , to respect, in accordance with commitments made ??to regulators, the sporting values ??and ethics that are the foundation of its existence. Federal Bureau of FFE
But here are the latest updates from www.chessvibes.com in English. You can also keep track of updates at the Europe-Echecs website in French. The video first then the contents.
Laurent Fressinet and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave were interviewed on video by Europe-Echecs.
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.
A statement from GM Arnaud Hauchard appeared on the Europe-Echecs website
The declaration of the Human rights says that each person is innocent till proven guilty.
The European Human rights convention, says itself, in its 6th article, 2nd paragraph that “each individual accused of an offense is presumed innocent till his culpability is legally pronounced”.
Finally the article 9-1 of the Civil Code from the law number 2511 of June the 15th 2000, stipulates that everyone has a right to the respect of the presumption of innocence.
It is then forbidden to hold somebody publicly, before any conviction, as guilty of acts, under investigation or procedure.
To attribute to somebody an offense hurt social values which the presumption of innocence intends to protect.
One of these values is the right for each individual to dignity and respect, the other one is the authority and the serenity of justice. It seems obvious that the Federation didn’t take into account these articles publishing my name on its official site before the end of the investigation.
I’m waiting for the disciplinary hearing in order to say more about this case and I deny the facts attributed to me on the site. Arnaud Hauchard, International Grand Master You can read more here.
French chess cheating scandal - Grandmasters urge quick 'quest for truth'
Chess blog for latest news and trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011
Hello everyone,
Four grandmasters Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Laurent Fressinet, Vladislav Tkachiev and Romain Edouard have expressed their dismay at the charges brought against three of their colleagues who are accused of cheating. "If the allegations are found to be true, we will condemn them firmly," they write, in this public statement in Europe Echecs.
Our previous news break and blog post on www.chessblog.com can be read at
La Fédération Française des Echecs (FFE) a annoncé, le 21 janvier 2011, qu'elle a engagé, le 22 décembre dernier, une action disciplinaire contre deux Grand-Maîtres Internationaux membres de l’équipe de France, ainsi que contre un Maître International français, à la suite «de soupçons de triche organisée, manquement grave à l'éthique sportive, atteinte portée à l'image de l'équipe nationale olympique, dans le cadre des Olympiades d'échecs qui se sont déroulées à Khanty-Mansyik (Russie), du 21 septembre au 3 octobre 2010». En qualité de membres de l’équipe de France d’échecs engagés dans cette compétition, nous souhaitons exprimer notre profonde stupéfaction à la lecture de la gravité des accusations portées, et notre plus ferme détermination à ce que toute la lumière soit établie sur cette affaire. Les griefs invoqués sont graves, car ils peuvent être de nature à jeter le discrédit sur le jeu d’échecs, en tant que sport de haut niveau, mais également comme loisir ouvert au plus grand nombre de pratiquants, qu’ils soient licenciés assidus d’un club ou bien simples amateurs. C’est pourquoi, sans préjuger de l’issue des procédures en cours ou qui pourraient être déclenchées ultérieurement, nous manifestons notre entier soutien à la FFE dans les démarches de recherche de vérité qu’elle a entreprises, ainsi que dans la volonté qu’elle affiche de tout mettre en œuvre pour lutter contre la tricherie. Nous faisons ainsi entière confiance à la Commission de Discipline fédérale pour se prononcer sur la véracité des faits allégués, dans le respect des nécessaires exigences d’indépendance et d’impartialité, et nous nous tenons à son entière disposition. Si les faits étaient avérés, nous les condamnerions fermement. Enfin, nous souhaitons rappeler l’importance que nous attachons aux valeurs de fair-play, de respect de l’adversaire et d’exemplarité par le dépassement de soi, qui constituent les principes éthiques universels de l’esprit olympique, mais également de la singularité de notre sport, fondé sur les capacités d’analyse et de créativité propres à la réflexion humaine.
Maxime VACHIER-LAGRAVE
Laurent FRESSINET
Vladislav TKACHIEV
Romain EDOUARD
The French Chess Federation (FFE) has announced, on January 21st 2011, that it had taken, on December 22nd 2010, a disciplinary action against 2 International Grand Masters members of the French Team, as well as against a French International Master, suspecting them of “organized fraud, serious breach of sport ethics, damage caused on the image of the French Team, during the World Chess Olympiad which took place in Khanty-Mansyik (Russia), from September 21st to October 3rd 2010”.
As members of the French Chess Team playing in the above-mentioned competition, we wish to express our deepest amazement on reading the seriousness of the charges brought, and our firmest determination for light to be brought on this case.
The charges referred to are grave, because they can bring discredit on the game of chess as a high level sport, but also as a leisure game, open to a large number of chess lovers, whether they be members of a chess club or simple “woodpusher” playing with friends.
This is why, without prejudging the outcome of current or forthcoming proceedings, we express our full support to the FFE in the quest to find truth it has undertaken, and and in the will that it shows to undertake a fight against cheating. We fully trust the FFE Disciplinary Commission to decide on the veracity of the allegations, while respecting the necessary requirements of independence and impartiality. We remain entirely at its disposition. If the allegations are found to be true, we will condemn them firmly.
To conclude, we wish to reiterate the importance we attach to the values of fair play, respect of the opponent, and exemplarity role of those who surpass themselves; all this forms the universal ethic principle of the Olympic spirit, but also of the uniqueness of our sport, based on analysis and creativity talents, specific to human thinking.
Maxime VACHIER-LAGRAVE
Laurent FRESSINET
Vladislav TKACHIEV
Romain EDOUARD Members of the French Chess Team
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