Govt of India stops incentive for chess titles 2 months after Gukesh, Humpy become World Champions
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Less than two months since India got back-to-back world champions in chess, the union government has discontinued giving cash awards for attaining titles in the board game.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports revised its Scheme of Cash Awards for medal winners in international sports events and their coaches. The revised scheme is devoid of the incentives for attaining titles such as Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM) and Women International Masters (WIM), which were offered earlier.
Under the previous scheme, the Centre gave Rs. 4 lakh for a player attaining the GM title and Rs. 1.5 lakh to the IM and WIM title achievers.
The Ministry said in a circular that the amendment "aims to streamline the eligibility criteria and improve the disbursement process". It further says, "the objective is to ... encourage and motivate them for higher achievements".
India No. 2 Arjun Erigaisi told PTI that the decision was not ideal. "... it's definitely not something that would demotivate a lot of young children as they don't care about the money aspect, 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," Erigaisi said.
"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," the GM said.
Titles in chess reflect a player's level, and attaining them requires a set of conditions to be met. The GM title is the highest in chess, followed by IM. To attain a GM title, the player must reach an Elo rating of 2500 and gain three norms, which would require competing at higher level tournaments. Players often wait for years to meet the requisite conditions to attain the respective titles. India has 85 GMs and close to 200 IMs and WIMs.
In mid-December last year, GM D Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion at 18 after his victory over Ding Liren of China in a 14-game match in Singapore. Three days before New Year, GM Koneru Humpy became the World Rapid Chess Champion in New York.