A mobile phone discovered in a toilet stall during the 2019 Strasbourg Open ended the competitive career of Isa Kasimi, a player formerly known as Igors Rausis. This incident confirmed long-standing suspicions regarding his conduct and resulted in a six-year ban from FIDE-rated tournaments, alongside the removal of his Grandmaster title previously awarded in 1992.
Early Career and National Representation
Born Igor Kondylev on April 7, 1961, in Alchevsk, the player later adopted the name Igors Rausis following his marriage to Latvian Woman Grandmaster Olita Rause. He established his standing in the chess community by winning the Latvian Chess Championship in 1995. During his career, he represented Latvia in three separate Chess Olympiads: the 32nd in Yerevan in 1996, the 33rd in Elista in 1998, and the 35th in Bled in 2002. He also participated in the 1993 World Team Chess Championship held in Lucerne.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Coaching and International Tenure
Beyond his personal play, Rausis served as a coach for various national teams. He guided the Latvian women's team at the 1994 Olympiad and held coaching roles for Bangladesh in 2000, 2002, 2008, and 2018. Additional assignments included leading the Algerian team at the 2010 Olympiad and the team from Jersey during the 2012 and 2014 Olympiads. In 2018, he received the official title of FIDE Trainer. Throughout his career, he represented multiple nations, including Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, and his native Latvia.
Cheating Allegations and Retirement
FIDE's Fair Play Commission had monitored Rausis for months prior to the Strasbourg incident, relying on statistical analysis provided by Ken Regan. Following his admission of cheating in July 2019, he announced his retirement. The FIDE Ethics Commission subsequently imposed a six-year suspension in December 2019. Despite the ban, he attempted to compete in an unrated tournament in Latvia in 2020 under the name Kasimi, but withdrew after being recognized by fellow player Arturs Neikšāns.
Personal Life and Final Years
Kasimi was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and underwent continuous medical treatment, including chemotherapy starting in 2018. His personal life saw several changes, including a surname transition to Kasimi following his marriage to his second wife, Ajgul Kasimova. He died in Alchevsk on March 28, 2024, at the age of 62. His life and career are examined in the 2024 novel Shakkimestari by Juhani Seppovaara.
Fast facts
- Born: 7 April 1961, Alchevsk
- Died: 28 March 2024, Alchevsk
- Grandmaster Title Awarded: 1992
- Latvian Chess Champion: 1995
- Languages: English, Russian
- Citizenship: Latvia, Czech Republic, Bangladesh, Soviet Union
Questions readers ask
Why was the Grandmaster title revoked?
FIDE stripped him of the title following his admitted use of a mobile phone to cheat during a tournament in 2019.
What name did he use during his final years?
After using the name Igors Rausis for many years, he changed his surname to Kasimi following his second marriage.
