(CNN)A chess grandmaster is under investigation by the game's governing body in the US following accusations of sexual misconduct, according to the US Chess Federation.
Two formal complaints were received last September by the federation regarding conduct by Grandmaster Alejandro Ramirez and the investigation "is ongoing," the organization stated Thursday, adding that Ramirez's membership has been suspended.
The announcement comes after two-time US women's chess champion Jennifer Shahade posted on social media on February 15, "Time's up," accompanied by a two-page statement saying she was assaulted by Ramirez two times "9 and 10 years ago."
Shahade wrote that she was speaking out now after other women had approached her with their own accounts of abuse by Ramirez.
CNN has reached out to Ramirez for comment about the accusations through his lawyer Albert S. Watkins, who replied, "I have been directed to respect the confidentiality I was advised would purportedly attach to pending investigative undertakings."
