Abhijeet Gupta Calls for Accountability as AICF Fails to Pay Odisha Open Prize Money
Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Calls for Accountability Over Unpaid Prize Money
New Delhi, May 9, 2026 — Renowned Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, a five-time Commonwealth Chess Champion and Arjuna Award recipient, has publicly expressed his frustration over the non-payment of his prize money for winning the Odisha Open earlier this year. The tournament, held from January 16 to 24, saw Gupta dominate the competition with an impressive score of 8 out of 10.
In a heartfelt post on social media platform X, Gupta revealed that despite assurances from the tournament organizers that the prize money would be disbursed within a month, he has yet to receive any payment. His attempts to reach out to both the organizers and the All India Chess Federation (AICF) have gone unanswered.
“This is not just about my money; it’s about the dignity and trust of every chess player in India,” Gupta stated. He emphasized that the issue reflects a broader concern for the treatment of athletes, particularly those at the grassroots level. “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 added.
Gupta’s victory at the Odisha Open was a significant achievement, and he expected the prize money to follow suit. However, after multiple follow-ups, he found himself without a response from the tournament organizers or the AICF. “As a sportsperson, you learn to accept losses more often than victories — that is part of the journey. But what hurts even more is winning and still not receiving what you rightfully earned,” he lamented.
In light of the ongoing silence from the AICF, Gupta has called upon the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to intervene and ensure that athletes receive their rightful earnings with transparency and accountability. “This is not just about one unpaid prize. It is about protecting the dignity and trust of every chess player in India,” he urged.
The AICF has yet to respond to Gupta’s allegations, leaving many in the chess community concerned about the implications of this situation for the sport in India. As the story unfolds, the spotlight remains on the federation and its commitment to supporting its athletes.
Gupta, who was part of the Indian Chess Olympiad team that won an individual silver medal in 2012, continues to advocate for the rights of chess players, hoping to bring about a change that will benefit future generations of athletes.
First Published: May 09, 2026, 14:28 IST