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Indian Chess Chaos: Monkeys & Power Cuts at Nationals Spark FIDE World Cup Fears

Shivansh Rana | 3 min read | 1 month ago | Oct 15, 2025 04:29 am IST
Indian Chess Chaos: Monkeys & Power Cuts at Nationals Spark FIDE World Cup Fears

Imagine trying to checkmate your opponent while a monkey is on the roof, the lights are flickering, and rainwater is dripping onto the board. That’s exactly what happened at India’s 62nd National Chess Championship in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, raising serious questions about the country’s readiness to host the massive FIDE World Cup in Goa this month.

Key Takeaways

  • Monkeys invaded the playing venue, a makeshift tent, at the National Chess Championship.
  • Players faced multiple power cuts, some during critical time-trouble phases.
  • Leaking tents led to rainwater dripping onto chessboards during games.
  • Two-time national champion GM Sethuraman SP called it a “survival challenge.”
  • The chaos has sparked concerns over India’s ability to host the upcoming FIDE World Cup in Goa.

‘More of a Survival Challenge’

Look, this wasn’t your typical chess tournament. Grandmaster Sethuraman SP, a two-time national champ, didn’t hold back. On October 5, he took to social media and called the event in Guntur a “survival challenge,” not a chess competition. And when you hear the details, you’ll understand why.

Players reported monkeys literally on the shamiana roof. One player even said a monkey got inside the tent at Vignan University where they were playing. As if that wasn’t enough, rainwater started dripping onto the boards. Can you even focus on your next move with that going on?

Then came the power cuts. On the first day alone, the power went out three or four times. This happened during crucial moments when players were in time trouble, completely disrupting their concentration. Organizers reportedly fixed most of the issues after day one, but the damage was done.

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AICF President Steps In

The outcry from the chess community was loud and clear. So loud, in fact, that it reached the top. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) President, Nitin Narang, personally responded to GM Sethuraman.

Narang assured him that the federation would “take the matter seriously.” He promised to ensure “better standards… in future events.” It’s a good step, but with the World Cup just weeks away, many are wondering if it’s too little, too late.

A Dark Cloud Over the World Cup?

Here’s the thing. This isn’t just about one poorly organized tournament. This chaos has “cast an uncomfortable spotlight” on India’s capability to host major international events. The prestigious FIDE World Cup is set to kick off in Goa on October 30.

India’s own D. Gukesh is the top seed. The entire world will be watching. The question on everyone’s mind is simple: If we can’t manage our own National Championship properly, how can we guarantee a world-class experience for the planet’s best players?

The AICF has promised improvements, and all eyes are now on Goa. Will they pull off a flawless FIDE World Cup and erase the memory of Guntur, or will these organizational cracks reappear on the world stage? Let us know what you think in the comments.