The troubles, nonetheless, transcend the exit of 1 office-bearer.
IMAGE: Dharmendra Kumar, former treasurer, All India Chess Federation. {Photograph}: Variety courtesy Dharmendra Kumar@iadkumar/X
All India Chess Federation (AICF) Treasurer Dharmendra Kumar’s resignation has introduced into sharp focus the troubles confronting the nation’s apex chess physique — from a Delhi excessive court docket case and variations between its high officers to cost issues confronted by Indian gamers.
Kumar on October 1, 2026, resigned as AICF treasurer, apparently leaving the publish within the wake of the Delhi excessive court docket proceedings.
On the identical day, he additionally resigned as normal secretary of the All Bihar Chess Affiliation (ABCA).
The troubles, nonetheless, transcend the exit of 1 office-bearer.
Key Factors
- Variations between AICF President Nitin Narang and Secretary Dev Patel have surfaced in Delhi excessive court docket proceedings.
- AICF has not uploaded its audited annual accounts ranging from 2023-2024, elevating questions over transparency.
- The federation has additionally been concerned in a dispute regarding two Bihar chess associations bearing the identical identify.
- Regardless of the problems, FIDE not too long ago chosen AICF because the third-best Nationwide Chess Federation on the planet.
Variations between AICF President Nitin Narang and Secretary Dev Patel have surfaced in Delhi excessive court docket proceedings.
On the similar time, Indian gamers have confronted issues over funds for worldwide competitions.
As an example, the names of Indian gamers had been struck off the record of rivals for the Commonwealth Colleges Championship to be held in Malaysia for non-receipt of the required charges.
Indian gamers scheduled to take part in a world event in Russia are additionally stated to be dealing with related issues.
Then there’s the query of transparency. AICF has not uploaded its audited annual accounts ranging from 2023-2024.
All this comes even because the Worldwide Chess Federation, or FIDE, not too long ago chosen AICF because the third-best Nationwide Chess Federation on the planet.
Treasurer’s Exit After Delhi Excessive Court docket Proceedings
In keeping with the Delhi excessive court docket’s order of September 21, 2026, Kumar on October 1 resigned from the 2 posts — Treasurer, AICF, and Basic Secretary, ABCA.
“Dharmendra Kumar at present resigned from each the posts — as Treasurer of AICF and Secretary, ABCA,” Anuj Kumar Sinha, advocate, advised this correspondent.
Anuj Kumar Sinha is the advocate for former nationwide chess participant Arvind Kumar Sinha, who had filed the case towards Kumar.
“I’ve resigned from each the posts. On the present jucture, I’m not planning to file any enchantment,” Kumar advised this correspondent.
For former nationwide chess participant Arvind Kumar Sinha, who had filed the case, it was a kind of poetic justice.
“I really feel relieved. The irony is that my case was registered in October 2024. The resignation of Dharmendra Kumar occurred two years later that’s on 1.10.2026,” Arvind Kumar Sinha advised this correspondent.
Court docket Had Given Kumar Exit Possibility
On September 21, 2026, the Delhi excessive court docket gave Kumar an choice to demit his places of work as a substitute of issuing a direct order towards him.
In its order, the court docket had stated: ‘On the request of Mr. Rakesh Tiku, realized Senior Counsel representing Respondent No 5, record on 23.09.2026 to allow him to hunt directions whether or not Respondent No 5 will demit the workplace of Secretary of All Bihar Chess Affiliation and the Treasurer of All India Chess Federation.’
The case was first adjourned to September 23 after which to October 1.
Within the forenoon, the excessive court docket, upset after studying that Kumar had not put in his papers, adjourned the case to the afternoon. Dealing with the ire of the court docket, Kumar despatched his resignation letters.
Gamers Caught in Fee Issues
The instant concern now could be the affect of the uncertainty on the federation on Indian gamers.
Folks within the know stated that AICF ought to appoint an interim treasurer on the earliest, as gamers slated to take part in worldwide occasions are already dealing with issues.
For instance, the names of Indian gamers had been struck off the record for non-receipt of vital charges from AICF for the Commonwealth College Chess Championships-2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“When the problem got here to me, I personally assured the Malaysian organisers that the cost with regard to the Indian gamers might be made and requested them to incorporate the Indian gamers.
“This I used to be in a position to do since I’m the President, Commonwealth Chess Affiliation,” Bharat Singh Chauhan advised this correspondent.
The same drawback is confronted by Indian gamers who’re travelling to Russia to play a event there, Chauhan stated.
President-Secretary Variations Floor
The Dharmendra Kumar case has additionally introduced into the open variations between AICF’s two high office-bearers.
In its order dated July 18, 2025, the Delhi excessive court docket had stated: ‘Having regard to the contents of the appliance and in addition discovering throughout the course of listening to at present of this matter that some controversy/disputes have arisen between the Secretary and the President of All India Chess Federation, we direct the petitioner to implead the President of All India Chess Federation as social gathering respondent no 6.’
The core subject within the case is whether or not Kumar violated the Nationwide Sports activities Growth Code whereas contesting the AICF elections and getting elected as treasurer.
Two Bihar Chess Associations, Similar Identify
The case has additionally thrown up the curious story of two associations with the identical identify — All Bihar Chess Affiliation (ABCA) — one fashioned in 1969 and the opposite fashioned and registered in 2024.
The AICF in Might 2025 put out a public discover on its site which is as follows:
‘Pursuant to the instructions issued by the Hon’ble Excessive Court docket of Delhi vide Order dated 16.05.2025 within the matter of “Arvind Kumar Sinha vs Dharmendra Kumar”, the All India Chess Federation (“AICF”) hereby informs the Basic Public that the All Bihar Chess Affiliation (“ABCA”), integrated/registered within the yr 1969, is the real physique affiliated with the AICF and is solely accountable for managing the game of chess within the State of Bihar.
‘The Basic Public is hereby cautioned towards one other entity bearing the identical identify, i.e., All Bihar Chess Affiliation, which was integrated/registered within the yr 2024 and is falsely portraying itself as an AICF-affiliated physique accountable for chess actions in Bihar.
‘This 2024 entity is being operated by imposters who declare to be workplace bearers of ABCA/AICF.
‘The Public is strongly suggested to not enter into any authorized or monetary relationship with the stated 2024 physique or any people claiming to be its workplace bearers.
‘All stakeholders ought to confirm the credentials of any particular person or entity claiming to be related to ABCA (1969) or AICF within the State of Bihar.
‘Any particular person claiming to be a part of the 2024 entity, or unable to show affiliation with ABCA (1969) or AICF, must be instantly reported to AICF at: Cellphone: (+91) 11-23352983 Electronic mail: indianchessfed@gmail.com. All India Chess Federation Workplace Deal with: #101-102, A Block, First Ground, Naurang Home, 21 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110001.’
Court docket: ‘Very Disturbing Details’
The Delhi excessive Ccurt in its order on Might 16, 2025, stated: ‘If the submission made on the idea of affidavit filed by respondent no 3/All India Chess Federation, dated 06.05.2025 is right, the identical presents very disturbing information.
‘Let a duplicate of this affidavit filed by respondent no3/AICF be served upon realized counsel representing the respondent nos 4 and 5 throughout the course of the day.
‘Response to the stated affidavit, if any, shall be filed positively by 19.05.2025.’
It’s learnt that Sinha had filed a case towards the federal government searching for cancellation of AICF’s registration on the bottom that it had violated the Nationwide Sports activities Growth Code.
It’s also learnt that AICF Treasurer Kumar has been an workplace bearer of the All Bihar Chess Affiliation since 2014 with out the two-year cooling-off interval stipulated by the Nationwide Sports activities Growth Code.
Questions Over Transparency Stay
The Kumar episode is just one a part of the bigger questions confronting AICF.
The federation has not uploaded its audited annual accounts ranging from 2023-2024, elevating questions over transparency at a time when it’s dealing with the affairs of Indian chess and its gamers.
The cost points involving gamers, the variations between the President and Secretary and the controversy surrounding the 2 Bihar chess associations add to the questions over the functioning of the federation.
But, regardless of these points, FIDE not too long ago chosen AICF because the third-best Nationwide Chess Federation on the planet.
‘The Veil’ Over Bihar Chess Our bodies
Talking to this correspondent on situation of anonymity, a senior participant had earlier stated: “It will likely be fascinating if the veil is lifted off the 2 Bihar chess our bodies with similar names to see the individuals operating the present there.”
The veil appears to have been lifted.
Venkatachari Jagannathan will be reached at venkatacharijagannathan@gmail.com
Characteristic Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
