CNN
—
A chess grandmaster is underneath investigation by the sport’s governing physique within the US following accusations of sexual misconduct, in accordance with the US Chess Federation.
Two formal complaints had been acquired final September by the federation relating to conduct by Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez and the investigation “is ongoing,” the group acknowledged Thursday, including that Ramirez’s membership has been suspended.
The announcement comes after two-time US ladies’s chess champion Jennifer Shahade posted on social media on February 15, “Time’s up,” accompanied by a two-page assertion saying she was assaulted by Ramirez two instances “9 and 10 years in the past.”
Shahade wrote that she was talking out now after different ladies had approached her with their very own accounts of abuse by Ramirez.
CNN has reached out to Ramirez for remark concerning the accusations via his lawyer Albert S. Watkins, who replied, “I’ve been directed to respect the confidentiality I used to be suggested would purportedly connect to pending investigative undertakings.”
The Wall Avenue Journal, which first reported on the accusations, quoted Watkins as saying, “Sooner or later we’re all compelled to take pause and replicate on the truth that unsubstantiated, temporally aged, and concurrent use of social media to incite a ‘Me Too’ call-to-arms runs afoul of each constitutional safeguard we have now at all times held so expensive. Superimposing as we speak’s mores on inaccurate recitals of acts of yesteryear is a recipe for catastrophe for each the accused and the accuser.”
Shahade advised CNN she had notified the US Chess Federation and the distinguished Saint Louis Chess Membership – the place Ramirez served as a resident Grandmaster – of the alleged transgressions in 2020. She once more reported considerations about Ramirez in 2021 after studying of a separate allegation from a fellow chess participant, she mentioned.
Since her tweet final month, Shahade advised the Wall Avenue Journal and CNN that different ladies have advised her about alleged experiences of abuse by Ramirez.
US Chess mentioned it “strongly respects the suitable of alleged victims to regulate when and to whom they inform their story. Nonetheless, as a result of US Chess didn’t obtain complaints from, or ample data relating to, the allegations of the opposite ladies referenced within the WSJ article, we have now not had the chance to research and think about these further allegations. That course of is underway.”
The Wall Avenue Journal studies Ramirez has resigned from his put up on the Saint Louis Chess Membership.
Ramirez had been a chess coach with Saint Louis College because the inception of the varsity’s chess program in 2016. A college spokesperson advised CNN Thursday, “On February 16, at our request, the St. Louis Chess Membership eliminated Ramirez as SLU’s coach. They’ve since assigned an interim coach to steer the staff.”
Shahade advised CNN Thursday, “I’m relieved to listen to Alejandro Ramirez resigned from the chess membership and SLU. It’s excessive time for a brand new chess period the place we do all we are able to to make ladies, women and all youngsters really feel totally protected and welcome.”
CNN has reached out to the Saint Louis Chess Membership and the Worldwide Chess Federation (FIDE) for remark.
In line with the Saint Louis Chess Membership web site, Ramirez was a chess prodigy and a FIDE Grasp when he was 9 years outdated. Ramirez earned his Grandmaster title by the age of 15.