Chess king to decorate Kazan downtown
According to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov’s words, FIDE General Assembly passed a program on construction of chess palaces in all capitals of national chess federations.
“Such a project seemed to be unreal last year, but at present it is being brought into life,” chief of FIDE said. “Agreements on construction of chess palaces have been signed with 36 chess capitals of the world.” We have agreements with Seoul, Riga, Tallinn. Chess palaces might appear in such Russian cities as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, and Astrakhan.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov informed that exception would be made for the large cities where chess are widely promoted. “During the visit to Ashkhabad with Mintimer Shaimiev, he made a proposal to construct a chess palace in Kazan,” Kalmykia’s President said. “Architects build palaces in a form of chess figures. We have come to the decision that a chess king will decorate Kazan downtown.”
FIDE chief also informed that Chess Club of Kazan will celebrate the 115th anniversary next year. “That was the ground for FIDE council’s decision to build a chess palace in Tatarstan capital,” Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said.
20-25 storied chess palace will include an international chess academy for working with chess players, coaches and arbiters. The palace will also consist of 24-hour tournament internet-rooms, library, hotel. “The palace will be included in the system of chess palaces all over the world,” FIDE chief said. “Chess palace will decorate Kazan on the threshold of the Universiade-2013.”
“Construction of chess palaces is an investment project. The only request to hosting cities is to provide a place new a parks zone. The cost of each project is 50 mln dollars and more. Now experts and architects are choosing the most appropriate place for the palace.”
In opinion of Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, the chess palace must become decoration of the city. “We have already seen the projects of other cities. It will be one of the most beautiful buildings in Kazan.”
Tatar-inform, Kristina Ivanova