“Currently there are multiple investigations underway on Alejandro Ramirez and sexual misconduct“, reveals the two-time US Women’s Chess Champion, poker player, and commentator of the elite chess events held at the Saint Louis Chess Club – WGM Jennifer Shahade. Shahade claims that she was assaulted by Ramirez twice and that she saw alarming evidence from other victims, including texts that admitted abuse of a minor.
Shahade posted the statement on her official Twitter account saying “Time’s up”:
“Currently there are multiple investigations underway on Alejandro Ramirez and sexual misconduct, including a series of alleged incidents involving a minor. I was assaulted by him twice, 9 and 10 years ago. I’d moved on until the past couple years, when multiple women, independent of each other and with no knowledge of my own experience – approached me with their own stories of alleged abuse. These accounts were from much younger alleged victims. I saw alarming evidence, including texts that admitted abuse of a minor while he was coaching her, as well as a text to an alleged victim about being an underage “temptress.”
The road to investigation and potential consequences has been a very stressful process. You may have noticed I’ve taken a major step back from commentary as this plays out. I’ve filled the time with poker, writing and promoting girls in chess. And yet a lot of that work to make chess more inclusive is futile if we cannot make crystal clear that the safety of women, girls, children is of the highest priority. And that’s why I’m speaking out now. Thanks for your support and patience for more details“, reads the statement.
