GM Alejandro Ramirez announced his resignation on Monday from the Saint Louis Chess Club and will no longer coach the Saint Louis University chess team.

On February 15, WGM Jennifer Shahade reported on Twitter that Ramirez assaulted her twice and that other victims told her their own stories of alleged abuse. She also alluded to ongoing investigations by US Chess and the Saint Louis Chess Club into alleged sexual misconduct. This tweet remains pinned at the top of her profile.

Time’s up. pic.twitter.com/ItOv73lTX7

— Jennifer Shahade (@JenShahade) February 15, 2023

In a letter to the Saint Louis Chess Club, Ramirez wrote:

It is clear the investigations into allegations of inappropriate behavior have proven to be a negative distraction for the Club. My cooperation with investigative efforts notwithstanding, I must acknowledge my continued affiliation with the Club is not presently in the best interests of the Club. With this in mind, I hereby resign my affiliation in all respects with the St. Louis Chess Club. I sincerely wish the Club all the best as it moves forward.

His attorney, Albert S. Watkins, expressed concern with the effect social media has had on the case:

At some point we are all compelled to take pause and reflect on the reality that unsubstantiated, temporally aged, and concurrent use of social media to incite a ‘Me Too’ call-to-arms runs afoul of every constitutional safeguard we have always held so dear. Superimposing today’s mores on erroneous recitals of acts of yesteryear is a recipe for disaster for both the accused and the accuser.

Below is the statement by the Saint Louis Chess Club:

Mr. Ramirez resigned his affiliation with the Saint Louis Chess Club in all respects on March 6, 2023. The Saint Louis Chess Club accepted his resignation on March 6, 2023. This action effectively ends his role as coach of the Chess Team at Saint Louis University. The Saint Louis Chess Club has no further comment regarding this employment matter.

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