India’s impressive performance at the Budapest 45th Chess Olympiad has been overshadowed by an unexpected incident. The prestigious Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy, awarded to the best-performing team in the Chess Olympiad, has reportedly gone missing from the Chennai office of the All India Chess Federation (AICF). In response, the AICF has officially lodged a complaint with the local police, launching an investigation into the disappearance of this significant sports trophy.
The Disappearance of the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy
The Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy is not just any award; it symbolizes excellence in chess, honoring the best performing team every two years. India clinched the trophy in the last Chess Olympiad, which was held in Chennai in 2022. Anil Kumar Raizada, Vice President of AICF, spoke about the ongoing search for the trophy, stating, “We have been looking for the cup for the last few days. The police have been informed, and we are hopeful for its recovery as this trophy represents the prestige of our country. This situation is serious and quite embarrassing for all of us. Unfortunately, previous administration responses have not been very helpful in tracking down the trophy.”
Urgent Need for the Trophy Ahead of New Tournament
The situation has become even more pressing as FIDE, the international chess federation, has requested the AICF to return the trophy ahead of the upcoming award ceremony for the victors of the current Chess Olympiad in Budapest. A senior AICF official commented, “Upon receiving FIDE’s request, we searched thoroughly but unfortunately could not locate the trophy.” The Chess Olympiad is set to conclude on September 23, with India poised to secure another victory.
Replacement Plans and Future Precautions
In light of this unfortunate event, the AICF has placed an order for a replacement trophy. While this new trophy will not hold the same legacy as the original, the federation aims to ensure it resembles the esteemed award as closely as possible. Officials have expressed their sincere apologies for this incident, acknowledging the significance of the trophy not just to the players, but to the nation as a whole.
The disappearance of such an important emblem has raised concerns about security and management within the federation. Moving forward, the AICF will likely implement stricter protocols to safeguard trophies and other valuable assets to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
