The World Chess Federation (FIDE) turned down the request for the disqualification of Bulgarian master Vesselin Topalov.

Disqualification was requested because of Topalov's disparaging statements concerning world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik.

The issue did not figure among the topics of discussion for the upcoming FIDE summit on January 29 2007, Focus Sport agency reported.

FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said that Topalov and Kramnik had to be thanked for their decision to play a match for the world champion title. In April, the two chess masters signed an agreement for the carrying out of the match.

Ilyumzhinov said that he hoped the 'conflict' between Kramnik and Topalov would continue on the chess board.

The scandal around the world champion title served the role of chess PR, Ilyumzhinov said. Even people who were not interested in the game learned more about it, said he.