Middle school chess team facing allegations of cheating

The coach for a middle school chess team is facing accusations of cheating.

Saul Ramirez has been very successful as the head of the Henderson Middle School chess team.

The team has won three straight national titles, but now the team could be banned from competing at national events and Ramirez could have his U.S. Chess membership revoked.

An ethics committee with the U.S. Chess Federation determined that there was enough evidence to strip the team of last year’s title.

The committee also recommended that the team be put on probation for 2 years.

During last year’s national competition in Atlanta, Georgia, accusations were made against Henderson that the team had purposely been losing at local tournaments in order for Henderson players to compete at a lower level at national competitions.

ABC-7 spoke with Daniel Lucas, Senior Director of Strategic Communication for the U.S. Chess Federation, Lucas explained that every chess player is given a number from 300 to 2800.

A 300 level player are typically beginners and a 2,800 level player are championship level players with the most experience.

Henderson players were competing at level below 1,000 and Henderson players are accused of losing matches on purpose that way they could stay below the 1,000 threshold.

“So for example if you’re rated 1,200, you wouldn’t be able to play in the under 1,000 section,” Lucas said. “So if you lose enough games you could get your rating that’s 1,100 or 1,200 down below 1,000.”

Henderson now has 30 days to appeal the committee’s recommendation and if they do the case will then be heard by the executive board of the U.S. Chess Federation

The El Paso School District says it’s reviewing the allegations against the Henderson chess team to determine the next step.

An EPISD spokesman saying in a statement that it supports the Henderson team and their coach.

“The district is in full support of the students and coach of Henderson chess team,” EPISD spokesman Gustavo Reveles said in a statement to ABC-7.

Lucas says the team can issue an appeal to the executive board of the U.S. Chess Federation in person or over the phone.

“The reason that we have such a lengthy formal appeals process is because U.S. Chess is committed to fair play and the integrity of the game of the chess,” Lucas said. “We work to ensure that these ethical accusations are handled properly and with sensitivity, especially with respect to accusations against minors.”

While the case is under review the Henderson chess team will still be allowed to compete and coach Ramirez will still be allowed to coach the team.