The Indian government’s decision to stop cash awards for players who make the titles of Grand Master or International before being 20 years old were not well received by the best chess players. Eminent players, including Arjun Erigaisi, believe that this decision could have a negative impact on emerging talents.
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In a hard blow for Indian failures, the government would have decided to withdraw cash awards for players who earn titles from Grandmaster and International Master. According to the press agency PtiThe award system was interrupted from February 2025.
Earlier, the Ministry of Sports awarded RS 4 Lakh to a player for reaching the title of the Grand Master and RS 1.5 Lakh for having reached an International Master or International Women Master (IWM) title. The cash price was only awarded to players reaching the titles before it is 20 years old.
The Ministry of Sports will now reward the prize only for winning world level competitions.
The recent development has been a major shock for the main Indian chess players who believe that such a decision will “negatively” have an impact on future talent. Surprisingly, the abolition of the cash reward came only for months after the Indian chess players won some of the world’s largest titles.
In 2024, the Indians men and women won the Olympiad gold medals respectively for the first time. In December of last year, D Gukesh beat Dingn to become the youngest world chess champion of all time while Koneru Humpy won the title of the rapid world championship.
The Grand Master Indian Arjun Erigaisi, who recently became the second Indian to cross 2800 rating points Elo, said that the abolition of the cash reward would discourage parents and increase their financial charge.
Erigaisi: “It may be demotivating for parents”
“If this is really the case that he is arrested now, then it is certainly not something that would demotize many young children because they do not care about the aspect of money,” said Erigaisi Pti. “But it may be (demotivating) for the parents. When they have to make financial calls, what would happen after having become a great master would be a question.
“And if there is a motivation like this, then there is more chance that they encourage their children if they must make an appeal between failures and studies. It is not something ideal.
GM Srinath Narayanan, who was the captain of the Indian team winning gold medals at Olympiad 2024, said that cash rewards are “rescue buoy” for many young players and withdraw them will have an impact negative.
“It is a sad development. Prices and funds are the life buoy for many promising players under the age of 20. In practice, I can imagine this decision impacting negatively of many talents to come. I have been informed that some of the existing awards obtained under this achievement have not yet been disbursed, “he wrote on X.
It is a sad development. Prices and funds are the life buoy for many promising players under the age of 20. In practice, I can imagine this decision impacting negatively of many talents to come. I was informed that some of the existing awards obtained under this achievement also have it … pic.twitter.com/hswvldij5m
– Srinath Narayanan (@srinathchess) February 13, 2025
International Master Venkat Saravanan questioned the decision of the decision by considering the recent monuments that Indian chess players have achieved in recent months.
Indian #Chess Va Great Guns & Govt decides to stop cash Awards to obtain GM / IM titles (only given for U-20). Explanation: to “simplify the incentive”, “the diagram has been changed”! @Aicfchess even noticed? Excellent vision @media_sai @indiasports @yasministry!
Indian #Chess Does Great Guns & Govt decide to stop the cash Awards to obtain GM / IM titles (only given for U-20).
Explanation: to “simplify … incentive”, “the diagram has been changed”! Did @Aicfchess Even an opinion?
Excellent vision @Media_sai @Indiasports @Yasmistry!– Venkat Saravanan (@reachvsara) February 12, 2025
Vice-president of the India Federation of Chess, DiByendu Barua, said that the decision had been taken without consulting the chess.
“No, we didn’t know. AICF has not been consulted. They made the decision absolutely without consulting the Federation of Chess All India. Certainly, this is not a good sign. As a player, I would say that I do not agree with this, “he told Hindustan time.
