Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Alex McFarlane · King Joined: 13 Mar 2007 Posts: 413

Some chess 'organisers' in Laos have hit on a great way to get titled players. Simply fake a series of tournaments and have them rated by FIDE.

By doing this they created 3 fictitious English FMs and an Australian FM and WFM.

These organisers have already emailed the Australian Federation asking how they will proceed with their title applications.

----- Original Message -----
From: Patrick Levinston
To: Phil Viner; Gregory Canfell; Gary Wastell
Sent: Friday, January 01, 2010 1:14 PM
Subject: Chess Title ?

Dear Chess friend,

Happy New year 2010.

We had play a tournament in Lao, where we are working actually.
We contact you to ask "how to get our title ?"

Patrick Levinston --> Fide Master

Anna Levinston --> Woman Fide Master

New in chess competition we are very motivated with my wife.
Thank you for your information, see you soon

Best regards,
Family Levisnton

A brilliant command of English is shown.

FIDE have already wiped the tournaments from the January list. It is not known if other action will be taken.

There is no truth in the rumour that the ECF in these cash strapped times have emailed Laos asking for the three players ECF membership fee.

It is probably worth confirming that this is not a wind up, truth is indeed stranger than Chandler.

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 10:45 pm Post subject:

Hi Alex,

Yup The Corner has had a few fakes tournament reports in the past.

The last was the Paisley Open - won by Huigh Brechin.
(that's a laugh for a kick off) Wink

And even though in the final placings I had.

H.Potter, R.Starr and J.Lennon...etc. People believed it.

http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chandlerarticle.php?ChandID=263