Main content

Chess City

In 1998, a remote region of Russia hosted one of the biggest events in chess. The controversial president of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, spent millions of dollars on the venue.

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 (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 13 Apr 2016 01:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 11 Apr 2016 04:50GMT
  • Tue 12 Apr 2016 06:50GMT
  • Tue 12 Apr 2016 08:50GMT
  • Tue 12 Apr 2016 23:50GMT
  • Wed 13 Apr 2016 01:50GMT

Olympic history

Olympic history

The inside and personal story of the key moments from sporting history

Sporting Witness Films

Sporting Witness Films

Watch sporting heroes tell their stories of astonishing achievement

Podcast