'No recognition by Delhi govt', laments Woman Chess Grandmaster as nation lauds Gukesh; Atishi reacts

One of the most prominent names among India's chess stars, Delhi-based Tania Sachdev has lashed out at the state government for not recognising her achievements in any manner whatsoever.

In an X post on Monday, the 38-year-old said that she is saddened by Delhi government's lack of acknowledgement of players from its jurisdiction who have represented the country and won major awards in chess

She said in her post "Having played for India since 2008 It’s disheartening to see a lack of recognition from the Delhi government for achievements in chess. States that support and celebrate their champions, directly inspire excellence and motivate talent. Sadly, Delhi has yet to take this step."

Sachdev lamented that despite her 2022 Chess Olympiad bronze and 2024 Chess Olympic gold, there has been no recognition of her efforts by the Delhi government.

She went on to tag Delhi's ruling Aam Admi Party, Chief Minister Atishi, and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal in her post.

"As someone who proudly represents Delhi and India, I hope @AamAadmiParty @AtishiAAP ma’am @ArvindKejriwal sir see value in supporting their chess athlete,." Sachdev added.

Soon after Sachdev's post, Atishi replied on X that her government has been supporting Delhi's sportspersons, especially those who are from schools in the region. She also said that her office would be reaching out to Sachdev to understand what more can be done for chess players.

On the other hand, her fellow chess player D Gukesh was awarded Rs 5 crore by the M K Stalin government in Tamil Nadu after he defeated China's Ding Liren to win the world chess championship.

Stalin, upon Gukesh's triumphant return, also promised to set up a Home of Chess Academy to encourage young chess players of the state.

Delhi-born Sachdev is the eighth Indian to be awarded the Woman Grandmaster title. Sachdev was part of the team that also comprised D Harika, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal that claimed the top honours in the women's event of the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. It was the first time that the country had won the top award.

Vaishali, who hails from Tamil Nadu, and the Telangana-based Harika were awarded Rs 25 lakh each by their respective state governments.

Deshmukh was presented with a cash prize of Rs one crore by her home state of Maharashtra.

Sachdev's other achievements include winning the team bronze as well as an individual bronze on board 4 at the 2022 chess Olympiad.

In 2005, Sachdev had become the eighth Indian to earn the woman grandmaster title. In the following two years, she won the Indian Women's Championship title.

(With PTI inputs)