<p>Chess players have not been supported by the Indian government in this year’s Online Olympiad 2020, the world tournament conducted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), team captain Vidit Gujrathi <a href="https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/chess-olympiad-players-received-no-support-while-preparing-says-india-captain-11597943106913.html" target="_blank">told </a><em>Mint </em>in an interview. The Indian team has had to bear their own expenses which includes training. </p>.<p>“There’s no role of the government, sadly, in this preparation,” the captain of the chess team, Gujrathi (25) said.</p>.<p>“We’re trying to help each other as much as we can. It’s sad to see as a professional player, playing for the country, even the training expenses aren’t taken care of…All preparation done here is based on the players’ own individual skill and finances.”</p>.<p>According to him, 10 days of intense training costs 4,000 to 5,000 euros (Rs 4-5 lakhs). </p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-unlock-30-rules-india-maharashtra-karnataka-delhi-tamil-nadu-mumbai-bengaluru-chennai-ahmedabad-new-delhi-total-cases-deaths-recoveries-today-covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-covid-vaccine-updates-869265.html" target="_blank"><strong>For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>Bharath Singh Chauhan, secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), said that the player could not be helped as the Olympiad was announced at a short notice. The tournament was supposed to be held in Russia in August, however, it was cancelled due to the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus </a>pandemic. In June, FIDE announced that it will be hosting the event online. </p>.<p>There were three coaching camps for the players in 2018 Olympiad, they were given 5-star accommodation, a psychologist and a yoga teacher, Chauhan said. This year, however, it wasn’t “feasible” to meet for the camp due to Covid-19. </p>.<p>The negligence is aggravated by a rift in AICF, president of the Chess Players Forum, Varugeese Kochy said. Earlier in 2020, the federation split into two factions: one led by Chauhan, the other by president PR Venketrama Raja. In April, multiple reports stated that the federation’s bank accounts were frozen. </p>.<p>Despite this, Gujarathi is positive about his 10-member team which comprises big names such as former world champion Vishwanathan Anand, World number two in women’s chess, Koneru Humpy, grandmasters P Harikrishna, D Harika and two junior world champions Nihal Sarin and R Pragganananda. </p>.<p>“I’ll focus on what is in my control, I’m in touch with the team. We have private talks, training and analysis. We’re working hard. I’m sure our skill will speak.”</p>
<p>Chess players have not been supported by the Indian government in this year’s Online Olympiad 2020, the world tournament conducted by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), team captain Vidit Gujrathi <a href="https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/chess-olympiad-players-received-no-support-while-preparing-says-india-captain-11597943106913.html" target="_blank">told </a><em>Mint </em>in an interview. The Indian team has had to bear their own expenses which includes training. </p>.<p>“There’s no role of the government, sadly, in this preparation,” the captain of the chess team, Gujrathi (25) said.</p>.<p>“We’re trying to help each other as much as we can. It’s sad to see as a professional player, playing for the country, even the training expenses aren’t taken care of…All preparation done here is based on the players’ own individual skill and finances.”</p>.<p>According to him, 10 days of intense training costs 4,000 to 5,000 euros (Rs 4-5 lakhs). </p>.<p><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-news-live-updates-unlock-30-rules-india-maharashtra-karnataka-delhi-tamil-nadu-mumbai-bengaluru-chennai-ahmedabad-new-delhi-total-cases-deaths-recoveries-today-covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-covid-vaccine-updates-869265.html" target="_blank"><strong>For latest updates and live news on coronavirus, click here</strong></a></p>.<p>Bharath Singh Chauhan, secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), said that the player could not be helped as the Olympiad was announced at a short notice. The tournament was supposed to be held in Russia in August, however, it was cancelled due to the <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus </a>pandemic. In June, FIDE announced that it will be hosting the event online. </p>.<p>There were three coaching camps for the players in 2018 Olympiad, they were given 5-star accommodation, a psychologist and a yoga teacher, Chauhan said. This year, however, it wasn’t “feasible” to meet for the camp due to Covid-19. </p>.<p>The negligence is aggravated by a rift in AICF, president of the Chess Players Forum, Varugeese Kochy said. Earlier in 2020, the federation split into two factions: one led by Chauhan, the other by president PR Venketrama Raja. In April, multiple reports stated that the federation’s bank accounts were frozen. </p>.<p>Despite this, Gujarathi is positive about his 10-member team which comprises big names such as former world champion Vishwanathan Anand, World number two in women’s chess, Koneru Humpy, grandmasters P Harikrishna, D Harika and two junior world champions Nihal Sarin and R Pragganananda. </p>.<p>“I’ll focus on what is in my control, I’m in touch with the team. We have private talks, training and analysis. We’re working hard. I’m sure our skill will speak.”</p>
