Former world chess champion Ruslan Ponomariov was kicked out of a tournament because his cell phone rang during the course of a match.

According to The Daily Telegraph, the 20 year-old Ukrainian Grandmaster, who was playing GM Evgeny Agrest of Sweden in a European Team Championship match in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv on Saturday, was taken by surprise when his cell phone rang.

As per article 13.4 of the laws of chess, he was promptly disqualified.

FIDE, the world body, has banned players from carrying cell phones during chess matches as they can be used to receive advice on moves and help access computer databases of moves online.

But Ponomariov is the first player to be penalised under this law at a major event.

Just before the game started, the Ukrainian was presented with gifts by the tournament organisers on turning 20. The call in all probability came from a friend wanting to wish him.

Ponomariov protested against his disqualification, refused to sign the score sheet, and dashed away.

The Ukraine and Sweden drew the match 2-2.