Chess Star's Prize Money Fight: Ministry Intervention

Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, a Chess Olympiad medallist, sought intervention from the Sports Ministry regarding unpaid prize money from the Odisha Open held earlier in 2026. The tournament's organizers reportedly owe him Rs 5.5 lakh, with payments stalled for four months. Gupta revealed that the Odisha chess association's bank account was frozen due to internal disputes, preventing him from receiving his rightful winnings.

After repeated attempts to contact the All India Chess Federation (AICF) proved fruitless, Gupta publicly appealed for help on social media and to the Sports Ministry. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in player payments, stating that such delays undermine the dignity of chess players in India. He expressed that while accepting losses is part of a sportsperson's journey, not receiving earned prize money is particularly disheartening.

Subsequently, AICF president Nitin Narang contacted Gupta, assuring him that "necessary action has been initiated" to resolve the matter. A source within the AICF confirmed that the federation is working to address the situation stemming from the internal conflict within the Odisha association. Gupta also highlighted that the national federation bears some responsibility, as the state association is affiliated with the AICF, and such issues could be more severe for grassroots players.