New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has criticised the Sports Ministry’s decision to stop cash rewards for the chess players attaining GM and International Master titles. Erigaisi believes the decision will not affect the budding youngsters much but it might discourage their parents from allowing their children to pursue chess as a career due to lack of financial security.
The decision to not give cash rewards to chess players attaining Grandmaster and International Master titles came after the Sports Ministry decided to do away with cash incentives for junior and sub-junior athletes. The move is aimed at tackling doping cases and age fraud cases in Indian sports while keeping the hunger in youngsters alive.
The chess players earlier used to get Rs 4 lakh from the government for attaining the Grandmaster title and Rs 1.5 lakh as cash reward for attaining the International Master or International Master Women title. The Sports Ministry will now give cash rewards to chess players only for winning international-level competitions.
“If it is actually the case that it is stopped now, then it’s definitely not something that would demotivate a lot of young children as they don’t care about the money aspect,” Erigaisi was quoted as saying PTI as he shared his thoughts on the decision.
“But it is maybe (demotivating) for the parents. When they have to make some financial calls, then what would happen after becoming a Grandmaster would be a question. And if there is some motivation like this, then there are more chances that they would encourage their children if they have to make a call between chess and studies. It’s not something ideal,” he added.
Erigaisi is one of the 85 Grandmasters in Indian chess and is one of India’s best chess players at present. The 21-year-old recently became only the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to achieve a 2800 ELO rating and win the men’s Olympiad gold. However, he had an average campaign in Tata Steel Chess tournament earlier this year as he finished 10th.
Erigaisi’s victory over world champion Gukesh
While he had a disappointing campaign in Tata Steel Chess 2025, he did sign off from the tournament on a high after beating the reigning world champion D Gukesh. Erigaisi lost his India no.1 title to Gukesh last year after the 18-year-old’s triumph in the World Championship.
R Praggnanandhaa capitalised on Erigaisi’s victory against Gukesh in Tata Steel Chess as he beat the world champion in a tie-breaker in the final to win the tournament. Praggnanandhaa became only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the prestigious title.
Indian chess Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi has said the Sports Ministry’s decision to stop cash rewards for chess players attaining Grandmaster and International Master titles is not ideal as it will discourage parents from allowing their children to pursue chess as a career. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
