Concerns Raised Over Chess Prize Money Delays in India

Abhijeet Gupta's Disappointment

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has voiced significant concerns regarding the treatment of chess players in India, particularly highlighting his frustration over not receiving the prize money for his victory at the Odisha GM Open 2026, which concluded nearly four months ago. The 36-year-old, who has been honored with the Arjuna Award, expressed his discontent with the apparent lack of accountability from both the tournament organizers and the All India Chess Federation (AICF).

The tournament, which took place on January 24, featured numerous grandmasters and had a total prize pool of Rs 25 lakh, with the winner set to receive Rs 5.5 lakh. Gupta secured the championship by scoring 8 out of 10 points. Reflecting on his win, he mentioned that he was initially promised the payment would be processed within weeks. “I was told by the organizer, 'Your prize money will be transferred in a couple of weeks, so please don't hassle... we are very busy.' I didn’t press the issue because it’s common in India for prize money to be delayed,” Gupta stated.

What began as a minor delay turned into months of silence. Despite his follow-ups in March, Gupta reported that communication from the organizers ceased entirely. “After a couple of months, they stopped answering altogether,” he lamented.

Gupta, a five-time Commonwealth Chess Championship winner, then reached out to the AICF, emphasizing that the event was conducted under their affiliation. However, he claims that his repeated requests for intervention from the national body went unanswered. “I believe AICF is also accountable... if it’s under AICF, there should be some responsibility,” he remarked.

Despite the unpaid prize money being a pressing issue, Gupta emphasized that the implications extend beyond his personal financial situation. He highlighted the emotional toll such incidents can have on young and aspiring players nationwide. “At this point in my career, money isn’t my primary concern. But think about a 10-year-old who wins their first prize and doesn’t receive it; what kind of message are we sending? If this can happen to someone like me, who has received the Arjuna Award, it’s easy to imagine the challenges faced by grassroots players,” he explained.

His comments have ignited a broader discussion on social media about athlete welfare and the need for accountability in Indian sports. Gupta also called on the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to intervene, advocating for increased transparency and the protection of the “dignity and trust of every chess player in India.” Following the public response, AICF president Nitin Narang reached out to Gupta, assuring him that the situation was being addressed. Gupta confirmed this development on social media, stating: “The President of the All India Chess Federation, @narangnitin ji, called me and assured me that the necessary action has been initiated.”