Cops called to Cork chess ruckus

SHOCKING front page headline on this week's Limerick Chronicle - is nothing sacred?

(Picture: Limerick Leader via Twitter)

Nefarious doings at the Cork Congress Chess Open, according to one competitor who accused his 16-year-old opponent of cheating.

"After each move he went to the toilet at least 20 times," Gabriel Mirza told the Chronicle.

"I found him in the toilet with an android, checking the moves on a chess engine."

(That's an Android phone, tech fans, not an actual robot in the toilets. Although that would be well cool).

"I tried to get over the cubicle wall to grab the tablet from his hands and firstly, I was thinking to jump over that cubicle. The organisers followed me inside where I forced the cubicle door and I pulled this guy out from the toilet.'

"Tensions rocketed" as Mr Mirza confronted his schoolboy opponent for cheating, and gardaí were eventually called to the competition venue.

It all calmed down eventually, but not before Mr Mirza was booted out of the tournament, losing his shot at the €400 prize pot.

He eventually apologised for over-reacting. It is not known if further action will follow against either individual.

(HAT TIP: Alan English)