Dubai: A chess player from Iran, who cheated using his mobile phone to try and win a game, was chucked out of the Dubai Open Chess tournament.

M. Sadatnajafi, with an Elo rating of 2301, while playing against Chinese Grandmaster Li Chao, made his moves based on the text messages he received on his mobile phone.

Chief arbiter Casto Abundo, confirming the incident, said: "As per the International Chess Federation (FIDE) laws, no player is supposed to use the mobile phone while playing. The matter is still being investigated and a report is being forwarded to the FIDE for further action," said Abundo.

Sadatnajafi is alleged to have followed instructions from some top player in Iran while playing against Chao. This match was relayed live on the internet and his friend, closely following his moves on the web, guided Sadatnajafi accordingly.

Sadatnajafi had made only 10 moves when he was caught looking into his mobile handset. When confronted, he immediately dropped his cellphone.

On examining the handset, it was found that he had received SMS instructions in Farsi. The identity of the friend who had sent the text messages is still to be known.

Losing the title

Chao went on to tie for the top position, but lost the title owing to Wesley So's better technical count.

In December 2006, Indian chess player Umakant Sharma was banned for 10 years by the All Indian Chess Federation for using a bluetooth headset sewn into a cap to get help from a computer.

Sharma's friends relayed moves made by a computer programme to him through the bluetooth set.

Sadatnajafi may also face a ban or may even lose his rating.