FIDE restores rating of Gurpreet and Duggal

International chess body FIDE has restored the ratings of Gurpreet Pal Singh and Karun Duggal, who were banned by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) for participating in unrecognised tournaments.

The FIDE announcement came on Friday.

Singh, who used to figure in the top 100 players in India prior the ban, has a rating of 2,306 points while, Duggal has 1,990 points.

Both the players thanked FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Vice President Nigel Short but are aware that there is still a long fight against the AICF before they can again start playing in India.

"After nine years, I have got back my rating. However, there is not much of excitement. I will have to play overseas tournaments to improve my rating," said Singh.

Apart from Singh and Duggal, Hemant Sharma and Devendra Bajpai had filed a complaint against the AICF with the Competition Commission of India, alleging contravention of the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of the Competition Act.

The case is still pending despite ...