Indian Grandmaster Abhijeet Gupta has sought intervention from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports regarding the non-payment of ₹5.5 lakh (approximately $6,600 USD) in prize money from the Odisha Open 2026. Gupta, who won the tournament in January 2026, claims that the organizers assured him the payment would be made within a month, but communication ceased after he began following up. Reports indicate that the Odisha chess association is facing internal disputes, resulting in their bank account being frozen and preventing the payment of dues to players. Gupta expressed his frustration on social media, emphasizing that this issue reflects a lack of accountability in the sport. He also noted that despite reaching out to the All India Chess Federation (AICF), he has not received a response. An anonymous AICF official stated that the federation is aware of the situation and is working to resolve it. Gupta's situation raises concerns about the treatment of players, especially those at the grassroots level in India.