In a surprising and embarrassing turn of events, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has found itself in a predicament. The Chess Olympiad trophy, awarded to the Indian team for their triumphant performance in the 2022 edition, has gone missing from their office. This incident has prompted the federation to file a police complaint and seek answers.
The missing trophy is the prestigious Gaprindashvili Trophy, given to the team with the best overall performance in both the open and women’s divisions. India, as the last holder of the trophy, was required to present it at the ongoing 45th edition of the Olympiad in Budapest. However, after receiving a request from the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the AICF discovered that the trophy had vanished. It has been missing for over a month, leading to a frantic search and ultimately, a police complaint.
AICF vice-president Anil Kumar Raizada confirmed the incident to PTI, stating, “After we had received a request from FIDE for the trophy to be brought, we have been unable to trace it for over 30 days. As a result, we have filed an official police complaint, and an investigation will follow.”
The AICF has taken swift action, putting a “contingency plan” into place. They have ordered a replacement trophy for the current Olympiad, although it won’t be as unique as the original. A senior AICF official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed the federation’s embarrassment and pledged their full cooperation with the investigation. “Yes, we tried to look for it all around following FIDE’s request. However, we have been unable to locate it so far. It is indeed an embarrassing situation, and these things require utter responsibility,” the official stated. “For now, a replacement trophy has been ordered. It won’t be as unique as the original, but still, it will be close to the original one. We apologise for the mess.”
The ongoing Chess Olympiad, featuring 197 teams representing 195 national federations, commenced on September 10th and will conclude on September 23rd. The Indian men’s team, currently vying for the gold medal, boasts a strong lineup of Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala. The women’s team, who secured bronze in the 2022 Olympiad, includes Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev.
As the investigation unfolds, the AICF faces the daunting task of resolving the missing trophy situation, ensuring the integrity of the tournament, and upholding the spirit of fair play. This unexpected turn of events has undoubtedly cast a shadow over the ongoing Olympiad and serves as a reminder of the importance of security and responsibility when handling such prestigious awards.
