The world chess body, FIDE, has decided to restore the Elo ratings of dozens of Indian players, whose ratings were banned by the All-India Chess Federation, AICF, nearly a decade ago. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich in a statement posted on Twitter said all those players whose name were expunged from the records, at the behest of the AICF, will be back with immediate effect.

Former world number three and FIDE vice-president Nigel Short in a tweet termed it a hugely positive statement by FIDE President. He said Chess must be for the players & lovers of the game and not for the administrators.

The country’s national chess body had banned several players for taking part in tournaments conducted by rival chess association and in un-recognised events. The banned players had challenged the AICF move with the Competition Commission of India, which imposed a fine on the chess body for violating provision of the Competition Act, 2002. A PTI report said AICF officials could not be reached for comment.