Arjuna AwardGrandmaster Abhijeet GuptaOdisha GM OpenAll India Chess FederationMinistry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Arjuna Awardee Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta Alleges Non-Payment of Prize Money
Published: May 9, 2026
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Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta, who won the Odisha GM Open tournament in January 2026, has alleged that the organizers have not paid his prize money of Rs 5.5 lakh. Gupta, who is the first Indian to win five Commonwealth Chess Championship titles, expressed his frustration over the lack of accountability from both the tournament organizers and the All India Chess Federation.
The tournament, which included several grandmasters, concluded on January 24, 2026, and Gupta was initially told that his winnings would be transferred within a couple of weeks. However, weeks turned into months, and after a follow-up in March, communication from the organizers went silent.
Gupta has reached out to the All India Chess Federation, noting that the tournament was officially affiliated with the national body, but has received no response despite sending multiple emails to the federation's President and Secretary since March.
The issue has sparked a conversation about the treatment of athletes in India, with Gupta calling upon the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to intervene and demanding transparency and protection of the dignity and trust of every chess player in India. The next steps in the case are unclear, but Gupta has stated that he will wait to see how the situation develops before deciding on further action. The All India Chess Federation has not responded to requests for comment, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has not announced any official response to Gupta's allegations.