Igors Rausis Chess player Date of Birth: 07.04.1961

1. Early Life and Career
2. Move to Latvia and Success as a Coach
3. International Training and Representation
4. Scandals and Disqualification
5. Post-Disqualification and Legacy

Early Life and Career

Konstantin Kondylev, born in the Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, was a talented chess player who began playing at a young age. By 1981, he had become the Black Sea Fleet Champion. In the same year, he embarked on a coaching career at the Black Sea Fleet Sports Club and the Simferopol Palace of Pioneers.

Move to Latvia and Success as a Coach

In 1984, Kondylev relocated to Latvia, where he would achieve significant success as a coach. He won the Riga Championship in 1985, worked at the Riga Chess School, and guided the Latvian Junior National Team. Among his students were future grandmasters Alexei Shirov and Olita Rauze (who later became his wife, prompting him to adopt her surname as per Latvian tradition).

International Training and Representation

Kondylev's knowledge and expertise were not confined to Latvia. He became a sought-after coach, working in various countries including Germany, France, Egypt, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Tunisia, and Algeria. He led Latvia's women's team at the 1994 Chess Olympiad in Moscow.

Scandals and Disqualification

In 2019, Kondylev faced controversy after allegations of cheating. He was charged with using a smartphone in the toilet during a match in Strasbourg. This violation of ethical principles led to a FIDE Ethics Commission ruling in December 2019, which disqualified him from FIDE-organized tournaments for six years and stripped him of his grandmaster title.

Post-Disqualification and Legacy

Following his disqualification, Kondylev adopted the name Isa Kasimi after marrying his second wife, Aigul Kasimova. He attempted to participate in a small, non-FIDE tournament in Latvia in 2020 but withdrew after facing negative reactions from other players who recognized him. Konstantin Kondylev, a once-renowned chess figure, passed away in March 2024. Despite his later controversies, his contributions to the game as a coach and mentor continue to be remembered.