Abhijeet Gupta Calls for Accountability in Indian Chess After Unpaid Prize Money: A Conversation on Athlete Treatment and Transparency
Title: Arjuna Awardee Abhijeet Gupta Sparks Outcry Over Unpaid Prize Money in Indian Chess
NEW DELHI: In a striking revelation that has ignited discussions about the treatment of athletes in India, Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, the first Indian to clinch five Commonwealth Chess Championship titles, has publicly voiced his frustration over unpaid prize money. The 36-year-old chess prodigy took to X (formerly Twitter) to highlight his plight after winning the Odisha GM Open in January 2026, where he was promised a prize of Rs 5.5 lakh.
The tournament, which concluded on January 24, 2026, featured a total prize pool of Rs 25 lakh, with Gupta emerging victorious after scoring an impressive 8/10. Initially assured that his winnings would be transferred within weeks, Gupta soon found himself in a frustrating limbo as weeks turned into months without any communication from the tournament organizers.
“I was told, ‘Your prize money will be transferred in a couple of weeks, so please don’t hassle… we are very busy,'” Gupta recounted in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com. “I didn’t bother much because it’s a normal practice in India that they don’t give the prize money in cash.”
However, after several follow-ups, Gupta’s attempts to reach the organizers fell silent. “After a couple of months, they stopped answering altogether,” he lamented.
Concerned about the implications of this situation for the future of Indian chess, Gupta reached out to the All India Chess Federation (AICF), emphasizing that the tournament was officially affiliated with the national body. “I felt that AICF is also responsible… if it’s under AICF, there has to be some accountability,” he asserted.
Despite sending multiple emails to AICF’s President and Secretary since March, Gupta has yet to receive a response. “I’m already at that stage of my career where money doesn’t matter much. But imagine if some 10-year-old wins his first prize and doesn’t get it, what kind of precedent are we setting?” he questioned, highlighting the potential impact on young athletes.
Gupta’s post on X has called for intervention from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, demanding transparency and the protection of the “dignity and trust of every chess player in India.”
In a recent development following Gupta’s social media outcry, AICF President Nitin Narang reached out to him, assuring that necessary actions have been initiated. Gupta shared this update on X, expressing cautious optimism about the situation.
As the conversation around athlete treatment in India gains momentum, Gupta’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by sports professionals, particularly at the grassroots level. The chess community and sports enthusiasts alike are now watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and what measures will be taken to ensure accountability and support for athletes in the future.
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