Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Frustrated Over Delayed Prize Money; AICF Promises Resolution

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta’s Prize Money Saga: A Call for Accountability in Indian Chess

New Delhi – Renowned Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, a celebrated figure in the chess community, has expressed his frustration over the delayed payment of his prize money from the Odisha Open, where he claimed victory earlier this year. After months of unanswered letters and appeals, Gupta has finally received assurances from the All India Chess Federation (AICF) that the issue will be addressed and necessary actions initiated to clear his dues.

Gupta, a Chess Olympiad medallist and five-time Commonwealth champion, has been left exasperated as he awaits Rs 5.5 lakh in prize money, four months after his triumph in January. The delay has compelled him to seek intervention from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency and accountability in the management of chess tournaments in India.

In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Gupta urged the Ministry to ensure that players receive their rightful earnings. “This is not just about one unpaid prize. It is about protecting the dignity and trust of every chess player in India,” he wrote, emphasizing the broader implications of his situation.

Sources indicate that the Odisha Chess Association, which organized the tournament, is currently embroiled in internal disputes, leading to a frozen bank account and an inability to disburse payments. Gupta’s attempts to reach out to the AICF for assistance were met with silence, further deepening his frustration.

“The President of All India Chess Federation @narangnitin ji called me and assured me that the necessary action has been initiated!” Gupta later shared, expressing cautious optimism about the resolution of his payment issue. However, he noted that previous assurances had not materialized, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.

In a candid conversation with PTI, Gupta reflected on the emotional toll of the situation. “As a sportsperson, you learn to accept losses more often than victories. But what hurts even more is winning and still not receiving what you rightfully earned,” he lamented.

A source within the AICF confirmed the ongoing issues with the Odisha association, attributing the payment delays to infighting among rival factions. “There is infighting within the association, with rival factions locked in a dispute, because of which the account has been frozen and players are not getting their dues,” the source explained.

Gupta’s plight raises critical questions about the governance of chess in India, particularly regarding the responsibilities of national federations in ensuring fair play and timely payments. “If this can happen to someone honoured with the Arjuna Award, one can only imagine the struggles faced by players at the grassroots level of chess in India,” he remarked.

A senior AICF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, assured that the federation is committed to resolving the issue. “I am 100 percent certain that the issue will be resolved soon. The idea is to work for the players,” the official stated.

As Gupta awaits resolution, his situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in India, particularly in sports like chess, where financial stability is often precarious. The hope remains that this incident will prompt a reevaluation of practices within the AICF and lead to greater accountability for the welfare of all players.

Published on May 09, 2026