14 October 2017

Bibisara Assaubayeva’s case: Moscow Region Chess Federation President Sergey Nesterov Applies to RCF

RCF Executive Director Mark Glukhovsky replies.

President of the Chess Federation of Moscow Region Sergey Nesterov applied to the Russian Chess Federation on account of GM Evgeny Solozhenkin’s article in which the latter expressed his suspicions that Bibisara Assaubayeva, a chess player of Moscow Oblast, has been cheating at play. The article had sparked a massive public outcry. We are publishing Sergey Nesterov’s letter and the reply of the Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation Mark Glukhovsky. 

Dear Mark Vladimirovich,


On September 17-26, the World Youth Chess Championship among boys and girls under 14, 16 and 18 years old took place in Montevideo, Uruguay. From the 2nd to the 11th round, a member of the Russian national team Bibisara Assaubayeva was being thoroughly examined by the organizers of the event, without explanation of the reasons. This fact couldn’t but influence the athlete’s psychologic state and probably had a negative impact on her result (2nd place).  

As a result of examinations, no violations of the regulations by Bibisara Assaubayeva were revealed. As it became known after the tournament, the examinations had started because of the request made by a member of the Coaching Council of the RCF Evgeny Solozhenkin. The reason had been his suspicions of her cheating. The conflict is being actively discussed in social networks thus damaging the reputation of the Russian Chess Federation. 

You are kindly requested to express your position regarding this issue. 

Best regards,
President of the Chess Federation of Moscow Region Sergey Nesterov


Dear Sergey Anatolyevich,



The information given by E. Solozhenkin in his article is not proving that Bibisara Assaubayeva used outside help during her playing in the event, that is why the issue of her being accused of cheating is not considered at the moment. No official accusations were made against her, therefore she has no need to prove her innocence.

All Evgeny Solozhenkin’s actions were not adjusted with the RCF. The head of the Russian delegation at WYCC in Uruguay Mikhail Kobalia was informed about the actions (E. Solozhenkin’s application to the WYCC’s Chief Arbiter) a few days after.

The Russian Chess Federation considers the publication of the article about suspicions of cheating, unsupported by evidence, to be unethical. Nevertheless, E. Solozhenkin’s article is written in a correct form and its publication expresses his personal attitude.  

We reckon that the problem mentioned in the article (not sufficient control of using outside help during chess games) does exist nowadays and requires a more serious attitude on the part of organizers of chess event. The RCF is planning to take meaningful steps in this respect and raise the issue of assuming similar measures at FIDE tournaments.  

Best regards,
Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation Mark Glukhovsky