The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has filed a police complaint after the Gaprindashvili Trophy, a rolling trophy awarded to the team with the best overall performance in the Chess Olympiad, went missing from its office. The incident has forced the AICF to arrange for a replica of the prized possession and tender an apology.
The trophy went missing over a month ago, after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) requested its return for the ongoing 45th edition of the Olympiad in Budapest. Despite extensive searches, the AICF has been unable to locate the trophy.
AICF vice-president Anil Kumar Raizada expressed embarrassment over the situation, stating that the trophy had been missing for over 30 days. He confirmed that an official police complaint had been filed and an investigation would follow.
A senior AICF official revealed that a contingency plan was in place and a replacement trophy had been ordered. The official acknowledged the embarrassing nature of the situation and apologized for the inconvenience caused.
The current edition of the Olympiad, which began on September 10 and concludes on September 23, features 197 teams representing 195 national federations. India is fielding strong teams in both the open and women’s categories, with the open team consisting of Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala. The women’s team includes Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev.
The AICF’s failure to safeguard the Gaprindashvili Trophy has raised concerns about the organization’s handling of valuable assets. The incident has also cast a shadow over the ongoing Olympiad, where India is a strong contender for the gold medal.
