Chess City
In 1998, the world's most expensive chess centre opened in a remote region of Russia.
Sporting Witness · BBC World Service
April 9, 201642m 20s
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Show Notes
In 1998, a remote and impoverished region of Russia hosted the Chess Olympiad - one of the biggest events in the sport. The controversial president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, spent millions of dollars on the venue, which he named Chess City. British Grandmaster Nigel Short played at the Olympiad.
PICTURE: The plans for Chess City (BBC)