Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta Accuses Chess Federation of Withholding Prize Money
Grandmaster and Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta has publicly criticized the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and tournament organizers for failing to pay his winner’s prize of Rs 5.5 lakh from the Odisha GM Open. The chess event, which featured a total prize pool of Rs 45 lakh, took place in January 2026. Gupta alleged that despite repeated attempts to contact the authorities via email, he received no response or resolution regarding the unpaid funds. The grandmaster emphasized the urgent need for accountability within Indian chess administration, stating that such negligence undermines the dignity and trust of professional players in the country. By bringing this issue to light, Gupta aims to highlight systemic failures in prize distribution and organizational responsibility. The incident has drawn attention to the financial vulnerabilities faced by athletes even at high levels of competition. As a respected figure in Indian chess, Gupta’s outspoken stance serves as a significant call for reform, urging governing bodies to ensure timely payments and maintain professional standards to protect the interests and morale of the chess community in India.
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Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta Accuses Chess Federation of Withholding Prize Money
Grandmaster and Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta has publicly criticized the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and tournament organizers for failing to pay his winner’s prize of Rs 5.5 lakh from the Odisha GM Open. The chess event, which featured a total prize pool of Rs 45 lakh, took place in January 2026. Gupta alleged that despite repeated attempts to contact the authorities via email, he received no response or resolution regarding the unpaid funds. The grandmaster emphasized the urgent need for accountability within Indian chess administration, stating that such negligence undermines the dignity and trust of professional players in the country. By bringing this issue to light, Gupta aims to highlight systemic failures in prize distribution and organizational responsibility. The incident has drawn attention to the financial vulnerabilities faced by athletes even at high levels of competition. As a respected figure in Indian chess, Gupta’s outspoken stance serves as a significant call for reform, urging governing bodies to ensure timely payments and maintain professional standards to protect the interests and morale of the chess community in India.
Times of India