It’s only natural to expect the chess ecosystem in India to improve after the recent successes of grandmasters Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Dommaraju Gukesh, so the decision of the All-India Chess Federation (AICF) to roll out a Rs 65 crore budget to provide financial and institutional support for pro as well as grassroots level players, comes at just about the right time.
Much of the credit for the budget allocation goes to Nitin Narang, the recently-elected president of AICF, whose mission Ghar Ghar Chess - Har Ghar Chess, aims to promote the game in every Indian household.
Key initiatives were discussed on Saturday at the AICF general body meeting to strengthen the Indian chess ecosystem, including launch of AICF-Pro for national-level players and AISF Popular for Har Ghar Chess.
A chess development fund will be set up, introducing strong financial backing with player contracts and coaching at all levels, financially supporting district and state associations, setting up a state-of-the-art national chess arena (NCA) for elite-level training and an AICF Rating system specifically for India.
AICF is the central administrative body for chess in India, which was founded in 1951 and is affiliated with the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), the world body for chess.
“Players are at the heart of chess and many have to compromise on their passion due to the lack of funds, institutional support, and opportunities. I am committed to making every player’s dream a reality through myriad initiatives rolled out today, in our Rs 65 cr budget,” Narang said at the meeting.
A chess development fund was being set to empower the grassroots level players and bring them to a global level of excellence, he added.
Giving credit to the ICF as the first federation to directly support district associations, the AICF president said, state associations will also be supported for three years with aid of around Rs 15 lakh.
National-level player contracts for 42 players will also be initiated with a budget outlay of Rs 2 crore across age groups under AICF Pro while ushering in an India-specific player ranking system.
Top 20 FIDE-rated players will get annual contracts of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 12.50 lakh per annum with a total outlay of Rs 4 crore.
“We want chess to be played in every household across generations, from the youth to senior citizens, with a big focus on women. I aspire to see India emerge as a nation of grandmasters," Narang said.
Key initiatives of the AICF being rolled out include:
One nation, one registration: An innovative online platform for easy registration of players, with unique login credentials to State Associations at no cost to enhance participation. A transparent proprietary rating system will also be introduced for school and grassroots-level tournaments to bring in more revenues for stakeholders.
Two-year contracts: There will be two-year contracts for national-level players in the U-7 to U-19 age groups, with Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000 disbursed to players via Direct Benefit Transfer, under relevant categories. The players will promote chess through grassroots initiatives such as Meet the Champions in educational institutions.
Cash Rewards for top 20 chess players: Top 10 male and female Indian players will get cash rewards based on their FIDE rankings, with males and females ranked among top five each receiving Rs 25 lakh. Players ranked 6 to 10 will each be awarded Rs 12.50 lakh.
Financial support for state associations: Financial assistance will be provided by AICF for three years, with Rs 12.50 lakh each to be given in the first and second year and Rs 15 lakh to be given to state associations, with assistance allocated for prize money, chess development activities, and setting up of offices. Quarterly seminars will be conducted for capacity building, covering topics like sponsorships and governance.
Opportunities for women: Inclusivity and opportunity in chess for women will be encouraged, expanding the Smart Girl Programme with a minimum of 50 annual events, each supported by a ₹1 lakh grant. Women will also get 33% reservation in several key areas such as certification for coaches and arbiters, participation of female arbiters in AICF-recognised events, and inclusion in the Campus Ambassador Programme.
Encouraging and incentivising chess content creators: Collaboration with YouTubers, influencers and streamers to foster new creators through mentorship from established content creators to nurture a thriving community of chess content creators.
National chess awards and development conference: Strategic workshops and discussions will be planned to honour exceptional coaches and players and bring together industry leaders and universities to advance chess, recognising significant contributions to both the game and societal development.
Corporate chess league: AICF to allow corporates to host AICF-rated tournaments by becoming members. Minimum prize money to be set aside for AICF-rated events. Bilateral competitions to be organised with other nations to enhance chess diplomacy and elevate its brand profile.
AICF's social initiatives: To be launched to drive social agendas using chess, including programmes for women, persons with disabilities (wheelchair chess programme) in collaboration with NGOs; senior citizens (checkmate dementia, a community-level chess initiative), and at-risk youth, besides the chess in prison initiative and chess for tribal India.
Chess development fund: To support initiatives such as trainer training programmes, coach certification, and outreach efforts, including workshops and conferences. It aims to integrate chess into school curriculum and provide resources tailored to female players and various social segments.
Management board: Appointed by the AICF President, it will have experienced corporate professionals from various sectors. Federation will also collaborate with strategic partners to finance its programmes and initiatives, aiming for governance excellence and long-term sustainability.
The AICF has pinpointed four significant challenges that need addressing: the integration of chess into school curricula, introduction of chess e-learning in syllabus (chess in education), the identification and nurturing of talent, the strengthening of grassroots academies and training institutions, and the sustainability of AICF.
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