FIDE Master Nelson Mariano III has been banned by chess portal Lichess.org for alleged computer assistance.
The penalty was handed down after Mariano ruled topped the qualifying tournament for the Battle of Grandmasters last Sunday.
Chess portal Lichess.org sanctioned Mariano for alleged computer assistance.
Mariano got another sanction from the National Chess Federation of the Philippines, which handed him a three-month ban.
The punishment from the NCFP is for Mariano joining NCFP-sanctioned events.
The ban can, however, be lifted if Mariano manages to appeal his case with Lichess.org.
The 40-year-old Mariano finished ahead of Zulfikar Sali, Arden Reyes, veteran Angelo Young, Gio Mejia, Sander Severino, Chito Garma, and Joseph Galindo in the online chess tourney.
"The Lichess account of Nelson Mariano III has been tagged for using computer assistance. He has appealed and the NCFP requested a second review of his games," an NCFP statement said.
The result of the appeal will be known Wednesday.
Two others were also banned before — David Elorta, known as the Philippines' speed chess king, and Rizalyn Tejada, who won the first stage of eliminations of the Asian Juniors.
