NAME: International Chess City
TOWERS: 32 towers in the shape of chess pieces (either black or white)
EXPECTED TOTAL INVESTMENT: AED 9.6 billion (~USD 2.62 billion)!!

Article from www.ameinfo.com (http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/43640.html):

Innovative International Chess City soon to grace Dubai skyline

HE Kirsan Ilumjinov, the current President of the Russian internally self-governing republic of Kalmykia has announced his intention to establish an international chess city in Dubai, with total investment expected to reach AED 9.6 billion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dubai will become the center for the game worldwide.

The announcement was revealed during the Kalmykia's President's recent private visit to Dubai, where he discussed prospects for future cooperation with leading UAE businessmen.

During his meeting with both Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Chief Executive of Dubai Projects and Dr. Mohammed Raheef Hakmy, Chairman of Armada Group, HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov announced plans to establish the Dubai-based International Chess City.

The project will include 32 buildings, with the two King towers standing at an altitude of 64 floors, in the design of the traditional black and white chess board. The new development will have three to seven star hotels and hotel apartments where the King and Minister towers will be categorized as seven-star. The whole facility will cover an estimated 64,000 sq meters.

"After much deliberation," HE President Ilumjinov, who is also Head of the International Chess Association, said "we chose the Emirate of Dubai to host this gigantic undertaking, precisely because of Dubai's international reputation as a place where imaginative projects such as the International Chess City can come to life."

"It is Dubai's destiny to become the centre of such a magnificent game," HE President Ilumjinov added. "Dubai will play host to over 60 million amateur and professional chess followers from around the globe annually. They will have a permanent venue where they can congregate and play 24 hour championships throughout the year, while some other 500 million lovers of the game will have the chance to follow the excitement via interactive electronic screens. Chess lovers from around the world will also have the chance to take part in the first Dubai World Chess Cup."

"All the buildings that will make up the International Chess City," HE President Kirsan Ilumijinov clarified, "will be shaped like chess pieces and have the traditional black and white colors of the game. The "King" buildings will be the highest," he continued. "Work is now underway to collect all building plans, as well as deciding the location of the project. This has been made possible by the cooperation of Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim," HE the President added, "who, from its inception, has played an important role in supporting this innovative initiative and whose untiring efforts have made the project possible."

Commenting on the new innovative initiative, Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed HE the President to Dubai and praised the close cooperation between the two sides. "In the past, we have had prolonged discussions with HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov, on issues relating to the possibilities of future economic cooperation between our two nations," Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim said. "This has culminated in the historical announcement we are making today. This is the beginning of a massive real estate project to add to the existing, marvelous high standards of architecture in Dubai."

"We intend to make the International Chess City," Mr. Al Fahim said, "a center for all chess lovers, whether they are beginners, masters of the game, or amateurs. And through its unique design, we will have in place massive interactive screens, where international contests can be held."

HE President Ilumjinov also revealed intentions to reallocate the headquarters of the International Chess Association from Lausanne in Switzerland to the new International Chess City in Dubai.

During his special visit to Dubai, HE the President of Kalmikya also met with Dr. Mohammed Raheef Hakmy, Chairman of Armada Group, which is one of the major investors in the project. Both parties discussed the required steps needed to bring the development to fruition and finalizing details of the project.

"HE President Kirsan has been an invaluable asset to the project, because of his enthusiasm to invest in innovative real estate projects in Dubai," said Dr. Hakmy. "We are now finalizing plans for the International Chess City and are convinced that Dubai is the perfect location for it," he added.

Further details concerning the project are expected to be announced when HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov is scheduled to visit Dubai at a later date.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dubai is turning into one crazy Fantasy Land! I cant believe they're actually going to spend 2.5 billion dollars to build 32 supertall towers in the shape of chess pieces just in order to attract the audience of a game which is played using a board and 32 tiny, cheap plastic pieces. It sounds even wierder considering Dubai (and the whole Arab World) hasnt produced any GrandMasters or even someone close to becoming a GrandMaster. I hope at least it wont turn out looking tacky and that all sixteen pawns or whatever they're called dont end up looking the same.

HE Kirsan Ilumjinov, the current President of the Russian internally self-governing republic of Kalmykia has announced his intention to establish an international chess city in Dubai, with total investment expected to reach AED 9.6 billion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


HE Kirsan Ilumjinov (centre) during this meeting with Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Chief Executive of Dubai Projects and Dr. Mohammed Raheef Hakmy, Chairman of Armada Group (left). Also in the picture, members of the official presidential delegation.

Dubai will become the center for the game worldwide.

The announcement was revealed during the Kalmykia's President's recent private visit to Dubai, where he discussed prospects for future cooperation with leading UAE businessmen.

During his meeting with both Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Chief Executive of Dubai Projects and Dr. Mohammed Raheef Hakmy, Chairman of Armada Group, HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov announced plans to establish the Dubai-based International Chess City.

The project will include 32 buildings, with the two King towers standing at an altitude of 64 floors, in the design of the traditional black and white chess board. The new development will have three to seven star hotels and hotel apartments where the King and Minister towers will be categorized as seven-star. The whole facility will cover an estimated 64,000 sq meters.

"After much deliberation," HE President Ilumjinov, who is also Head of the International Chess Association, said "we chose the Emirate of Dubai to host this gigantic undertaking, precisely because of Dubai's international reputation as a place where imaginative projects such as the International Chess City can come to life."

"It is Dubai's destiny to become the centre of such a magnificent game," HE President Ilumjinov added. "Dubai will play host to over 60 million amateur and professional chess followers from around the globe annually. They will have a permanent venue where they can congregate and play 24 hour championships throughout the year, while some other 500 million lovers of the game will have the chance to follow the excitement via interactive electronic screens. Chess lovers from around the world will also have the chance to take part in the first Dubai World Chess Cup."

"All the buildings that will make up the International Chess City," HE President Kirsan Ilumijinov clarified, "will be shaped like chess pieces and have the traditional black and white colors of the game. The "King" buildings will be the highest," he continued. "Work is now underway to collect all building plans, as well as deciding the location of the project. This has been made possible by the cooperation of Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim," HE the President added, "who, from its inception, has played an important role in supporting this innovative initiative and whose untiring efforts have made the project possible."

Commenting on the new innovative initiative, Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim welcomed HE the President to Dubai and praised the close cooperation between the two sides. "In the past, we have had prolonged discussions with HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov, on issues relating to the possibilities of future economic cooperation between our two nations," Mr. Sulaiman Al Fahim said. "This has culminated in the historical announcement we are making today. This is the beginning of a massive real estate project to add to the existing, marvelous high standards of architecture in Dubai."

"We intend to make the International Chess City," Mr. Al Fahim said, "a center for all chess lovers, whether they are beginners, masters of the game, or amateurs. And through its unique design, we will have in place massive interactive screens, where international contests can be held."

HE President Ilumjinov also revealed intentions to reallocate the headquarters of the International Chess Association from Lausanne in Switzerland to the new International Chess City in Dubai.

During his special visit to Dubai, HE the President of Kalmikya also met with Dr. Mohammed Raheef Hakmy, Chairman of Armada Group, which is one of the major investors in the project. Both parties discussed the required steps needed to bring the development to fruition and finalizing details of the project.

"HE President Kirsan has been an invaluable asset to the project, because of his enthusiasm to invest in innovative real estate projects in Dubai," said Dr. Hakmy. "We are now finalizing plans for the International Chess City and are convinced that Dubai is the perfect location for it," he added.

Further details concerning the project are expected to be announced when HE President Kirsan Ilumjinov is scheduled to visit Dubai at a later date.

International center for chess? hmmm... I think I'll pass

The project will include 32 buildings, with the two King towers standing at an altitude of 64 floors, in the design of the traditional black and white chess board. The new development will have three to seven star hotels and hotel apartments where the King and Minister towers will be categorized as seven-star. The whole facility will cover an estimated 64,000 sq meters.


i'd like to see these towers. and who the hell gets the idea of building such things. if you hear it for the first time it's totally senseless, but if you think about it, it comes to your mind that this is just pure imagination!! great!!

although i don't know what it will look like, it will be one of my favorite projects!!!

this is why we love dubai, isn't it??? :)

This is far too big for a "chess city". One low rise is enough for them. 32 buildings and 9.6 billion dirhams for what? That's almost half of what it's costing to build Dubailand.

I smell a stinking fish.

Me too... and isnt chess haram in Islam? Or is it just frowned upon? Hmmm.... 9.6 billion dirhams for such a project... think about it people.

first when i read this article in skyscrapercity i was :eek2: . i mean it really looks nonsence project then i found it in Alittihad, Al Bayan and even asharqalawsat in its first page. so i think it might happen although am not really convinced about it.

btw.. As i know chess isnt haram in islam, gambling and lottery is haram and as for wasting money and time.

I've never heard of the Russian "internally governed republic of Kalmykia".

And what kind of organisation is called "Dubai Projects" whose CEO is Mr. Suleiman al-Fahim.

This is probably another "Bubble City" ad in the newspapers (fake article).

it is very kitch and I dont belive this will fly at all, sooms like a fantasy

Bubble City was a fake project as the news paper had said on the same day and page that the article was printed on but I dont think that this is a fake project because it was also printed in the Gulf News and Khaleej Times. I read in both news papers that the King and Minister buildings would be 64 stories and I didnt read any thing about 2 King buildings.
R

yep agree to much
Its a fine game but it would be lucky to get a floor leased for him self with this idea
let alone 32 towers
Outof intrest would the pieces be in play or home ?

sorryclicked on post quick reply twice

Honstly some projects in dubai are going from really amazing to really stupid!! I really hope to see this money invested in a better idea!!

There's another thread for this project: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=124319.
Trances, could you somehow merge them like you did with the DMCC threads?

maybe it should be vision and not project
do you think an idea like this could sell at all ?

i think the idea itself is great. hey there's some more work for us if these get built. but i have no clue why they chose chess as the main theme. does chess deserve a whole themed city?

If these get built, the 2 king towers will range from 300-400 meters tall at 64 stories., plus these arent just thin towers they would have incredible detail if they were to make a building for every chess piece

Another article about this project in Gulf News today but it says the same stuff all confused about this one

I think it's already approved because the article says that sheikh 'whats his name' has been after this for a long time which means its been a proposal in the past and now they're moving on to the next step.

if this is true, it is good news. you can read an article about chess city in the newspapers and on many dubai construction and news homepages. so, it seems to be real!!! :)

Hmm. It's possible I'm just on crack, but something seems wrong with the math on this one.

It's claimed the area will be 64,000 sq.m. Now distributed over 64 squares on a chessboard, that leaves 1000 sq.m. per, uh, square. Am I the only one for whom that seems a little on the small side? Especially given that the buildings themselves won't take up the entire square on which they sit; rather more like 1/2 to 2/3 of it (most likely).

So... 60+ storey buildings with a footprint of 500 - 700 square metres? As I said, this seems a bit wrong to me... especially given the projected cost for this thing.

I think it said there will be 32 buildings only.... and not 64. Maybe then it fits right?

so that means its 2000 sqm per building which i think is ok. can we compare the sizes to any othe plots of buildings that will be built or that are?
R

I'm terrible at chess (frequently lose against humans and computers in less than 2 minutes), but I think mrputter is saying that there are 64 squares on a chess board.

The article says that the area this "city" will be built on will be 64,000 sq m. But they plan on making a replica of a chess board with 32 towers on it, so the towers won't be filling all the space, just as a chess board is not entirely full of pieces. Each tower should sit on a square, and 32 towers means 32 squares out of the 64 will be used. The rest should be open space.

Anyway, this project looks fake. I don't know how it got published in all these newspapers. HE the president of Kalmykia might be the father of the princess from The Princess Diaries.

I googled "Kamykia" and apparently it does exist. Here's their official site:

http://www.kalmykiaembassy.ru/html/eindex.html

It's next to Daghestan. If you've ever watched Ch. 33 sometimes they show a king of dance, the men dance with drums and the women wear long white dresses and they walk in a way which appears they're on roller skates or floating. That's a traditional Daghestani dance. Funny name they have since "dagh" in Farsi means "hot", and their country has snow almost 24/7.

The Princess Diaries' imaginary state was Genovia.

What a dumb idea.

Like 65% of people do not like chess (because they cant play it), and the whole city would make them bored, because the city reminds them of chess.

INVEST IN SOMETHING BETTER!!

With all that oil money, you can buildi another world's tallest.

so it is a real place !
like a web site begins to justifly existance !!

I just heard something quite unbelievable, Dubai Chess city. Included in this project is a 7 star hotel, 50 stories in the shape of a Bishop and a 70 story residential in the shape of the King. The project will be in black and white, i mean....how weird is that! I'm not sure but something like this sounds like it'll be in Dubai Land. Anyways, so far it is just a rumour, if anybody has the facts...let us know. :eek:

Oh, Delete this......i just found the project thread.

Oh, Delete this......i just found the project thread.
:)

Hi everybody. I'm new to this thread.
I don't think that the whole project is for chess. It will take the shape of chess board with all pieces ( 32 towers). At most, one tower will be reserved for chess. while the others will be built as hotels, residetial towers and offices. But it will still have the spirit of chess. This is what I think and I hope it will be for such purposes. Otherwise, it is a crazy idea.

dubai also intends with this project to have a new world center for chess right here in dubai!

don't know where it is situated right now?!

oh man this project is a waste, they should have made this project part of the dubai sports city, then it would have been better, i dont know what are they thinking, i mean how will they make money of this project.

well there are theme cities coming up in Dubai but nothing this size
I dont think this one was very well though out but I may eat my words

International Chess city to start in 6 months :

The United Arab Emirates(UAE) will start to build an International Chess City in Dubai in six month, with total investment expected to reach 2.62 billion US dollars, the local Gulf News daily reported Sunday.

for full article:
http://content.sina.com/news/86/47/6864756_1_gb.html?skin=englishCenter

(same one but slight changes)

Maybe it's a new center to house East European prostitutes. What else could they do to fill up 32 towers?

Lol

i know, why is there so much prostitution in dubai, it is so against islam, but they still do it

Alcohol consumption is also "so against islam", but they also still do it.

Speaking of alcohol, I have heard many people complaining that the price of alcoholic drinks is too high in Dubai...

Well, what can I say.. the price of everything else like water, food, heating, air-conditioning, fuel, cars..etc are all much more expensive in countries where the drinks are supposedly cheaper.

But perhaps the price will be lowered for them. Everything should be done to please those who like to intoxicate themselves.. after all, that's one of the reasons why Dubai has so many hotels.

:|

Alchohal and prostitution will be bad for dubai, in the long run, they should really be conservertive is this matter, after all it is a muslim country

well i consider it to high when compared to drinking at home !
Starting in 6 months hmmm

6 months to go! can't wait! i'm already excited about the design!

Alchohal and prostitution will be bad for dubai, in the long run, they should really be conservertive is this matter, after all it is a muslim country

Dubai might be a muslim country but most of population is not. Alcohol is not sold openly and only to 21+ of age. Muslim are not allowed to by alcohol in Duty Free. As long as alcohol is served only on licenced bars inside hotels there should be no problem with it. You just have not to go there. Don't forget that without tolerance toward other cultures, Dubai would have not become what it is, but it would have been like Saudi Arabia. Conservative, represive with filthy reach roulers and poor citizens.

As far as prostitution is concern: There is a noticable disproportion between male and female residents in the country, mostly becouse of young expatriates comming here to work, often still bachelors or that can't afford to bring their families with them, or simply they choose not to. Male-female disproportion IS A HUGE AND VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM for societies. Portugal in middle ages had that problem and they send their surplus of frustrated and angry mans to fight around the world. That's why Portugal had so many colonies and they were notorious for their animalesk nature. Closing an eye on prostitution is just a way to keep mans quiet in their frustration. Afterall it is the oldest profesion in the world. :bash:

...Well, what can I say.. the price of everything else like water, food, heating, air-conditioning, fuel, cars..etc are all much more expensive in countries where the drinks are supposedly cheaper...

Fuel and cars are cheaper compared to Europe, but not so compared to US.

As for the rest mentioned IT IS WRONG.

When I first came here my weekly (Choitram) supermarket bill was at least 20% more then what I was paying in Austria (Billa).

Fuel and cars are cheaper compared to Europe, but not so compared to US.

As for the rest mentioned IT IS WRONG.

When I first came here my weekly (Choitram) supermarket bill was at least 20% more then what I was paying in Austria (Billa).


am sure that fuel is cheaper than US... its not for the other gulf countries

Dubai might be a muslim country but most of population is not. Alcohol is not sold openly and only to 21+ of age. Muslim are not allowed to by alcohol in Duty Free. As long as alcohol is served only on licenced bars inside hotels there should be no problem with it. You just have not to go there. Don't forget that without tolerance toward other cultures, Dubai would have not become what it is, but it would have been like Saudi Arabia. Conservative, represive with filthy reach roulers and poor citizens.


the majority are muslims and beside selling drinks is supposed to be prohibited in islam so its not ok both ways.

wat does fuel and alcohol have to do with anything? lol

I'm guessing the site will be beside Dubailand or hopefully near DIFC

it shud be in the sports city

Krazy, hey i said that, look at my post earlier.

Now This (http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1845) I find extremely interesting.

Most of the info regarding the upcoming Chess City in Dubai is just a rehashing of stuff that's been posted all over SSC already. However what is interesting, is that this has apparently already been done before (albeit on a smaller scale) and by the same guy that's trying to bring this to Dubai.

Check out the pictures on that page of the existing -- but smaller -- Chess City in "Elista, the capital of Kalmykia." The fact that he's brought one such project to completion already slightly reduces this Ilyumzhinov guy's ranking on my "total nutjob" scale :).



Also:
dubai also intends with this project to have a new world center for chess right here in dubai!

don't know where it is situated right now?!

From the page I just linked: "President Ilyumzhinov also revealed intentions to reallocate the headquarters of the International Chess Association from Lausanne in Switzerland to the new International Chess City in Dubai."

For some reason this project just doesnt excite me... even though it involves construction of two 7-star hotels....

i never expected such a high reputation for chess. but i believe dubai doesn't have interest in chess itself. they just see the huge reputation and with opening such a tremendous new chess headquarter, it would attract even more people to dubai. at the moment dubai doesn't have any fascinating sports facilities or any kind of sports that impress the masses. the english have left these old commonwealth games, cricket, polo, golf,.... but that's all.

you can say that sport in general is a bit underdeveloped, except golf. but with the new sports city to come this will be the key to major sport events. if the olympic games can take place in the heat of athens, they could also take place in dubai.

i think chess city and sports city are just the beginning! at the moment dubai doesn't need a sports city. it will not be used all the time, but i'm sure one day some major sport events will be held there! :)

bump

any news about this one ?

i wish there were
takes time

noting but it might come back from
just wait

Three-billion-dollar Chess City planned for Dubai
(dpa)

14 October 2004



MOSCOW — Clusters of hotels built in the shape of giant chess pieces will rise on the skyline of Dubai, according to a three-billion-dollar project outlined in Moscow yesterday by World Chess Federation (Fide) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.


Up to 16 black and 16 white hotels will sit on a 64-hectare plot of land resembling a chessboard, depending on which game configuration is chosen as a blueprint, said Ilyumzhinov, who is also president of the Russian republic of Kalmykia.

Pawn-shaped hotels
“So far we plan either to copy a Bobby Fischer game or possibly one of (Russian chess master Garry) Kasparov’s,” he told journalists.

According to the plans, 50-storey pawn-shaped hotels will offer 3- to 4-star class accommodation; rooks, knights and bishops will be 60- storey with five stars, while four super-luxury hotels representing kings and queens will tower 70 storeys high. The complex will also house the headquarters of the International Chess Association.

The cornerstone is due to be laid in January when Kasparov and Uzbek chess master Rustam Kasimdzhanov hold a world championship match in Dubai.

Ilyumzhinov, who spent huge resources building a “Chess City” complex in his impoverished republic in the 1990s, said a “mini Chess City” is also planned in Australia.

it's turning to a real project more and more
please build this dubai

maybe there will also be a release in the local press tomorrow?

“mini Chess City” is also planned in Australia.
really

Cool, this project is for real! and sounds like there will be at least 4 60-70 storey towers in it!

dubai needs some more 300+ towers

To my understanding, there will be a few 50 fl buildings, 4 60 fl buildings and 2 70 fl buildings... THIS IS A HUGE DEVELOPMENT!

What's your guess's to where this huge project will be situated?

To my understanding, there will be a few 50 fl buildings, 4 60 fl buildings and 2 70 fl buildings... THIS IS A HUGE DEVELOPMENT!

What's your guess's to where this huge project will be situated?

Maybe as part of DUBAILAND

sounds very likely
can't imagine any better locations for this project

still need some more buzz to confirm this one

DSC seems to be the perfect location for this project don't u think that guys ?

Sport city !
This project is to large and would over power DSC if it was part of it

maybe they plan an extension of sports city or they'll put it right next to it
extension is possible, some other projects are delayed because of this, eg gardens mall

wow! what a consept!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=2602715#post2602715

was here
Now explain
orgainal the King was to be highest at 64 Floors
Quote "two King towers standing at an altitude of 64 floors" How did it change to 70.


Now its is 70 Floors well let it be
So that is
16 Pawns each 50 Floors High ( meters ) 3- to 4-star class accommodation
4 Rooks each 60- floors with a five stars Hotel
4 Kinghts each 60- floors with a five stars Hotel
4 Bishops each 60- floors with a five stars Hotel
2 Queens each 70- floors with a super-luxury Hotel
2 Kings each 70- floors with a super-luxury Hotel

How many Floors and rooms is that !

The Chess City in Elista. Built by Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, President of the Russian internally self-governing Republic of Kalmykia, and President of the World Chess Federation
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1845

http://www.chessbase.com/images2/2004/chesscity11.jpg
The central building where the events are staged
its just one of many buildings in the city, check the site

So info and its impessive to know the people behind this sporject have some history and experiance

so about 36 towers over 200m? if this is built

not sure, but the 16 60-floor+ will definitely tower above 200

once again hope this one comes off
but still waiting for offical news when the topic heats up early next year when the offical lauch is. I think that major Developers that have a strong foot hold in Dubia may be required to get this kick started.

waiting for Dubai projects group the builder of Chess city to lunch the project . i believe this project is in the planning stage

Can anyone find any renders? Or a website for the project?

no info yet
only the press release from august

it's always hard to get many detailed renders for a project
everything's going slow render-wise

i tink the reasin for this are the frequent changes :dunno:

Any initial rendering of the projecT?

Any initial rendering of the projecT?

not at all :(
as i've said: renders are hard to get, if there are some
just one press release so far

May be check on the contractor or the Architect's name and then visit there website, they might have it??

developer is the same as for the armada towers in jumeirah lake towers and the salam tower in sharjah
armada group, no homepage yet
no hints on www.armadatowers.com or www.salamtower.com

Someone posted this pic in the Chess City thread at SSP. But I don't think it's a correct rendering.

http://jimmy.bistromatics.com/gallery/thumbnail.php?GalleryImageID=91&w=420

not sure what that even is ?

I really wish this is it, I really like that kind of architecture.

Project looks Dead.

This is great news, 32 towers for 9 Billion Dhs.

mah no news

Project looks Dead.

And what do you care.

Project looks Dead.

thank you for your incredible input. took a lot of thought to come up with that didnt it. perhaps one day you could rise up to the next leval and have an opinion on a project other than
a] it wont happen
b] dubai has too many projects
c] dubai will fail

why bother posting somthing as dumb as that. i mean its almost as pointless as you registering for this site just to cause trouble.
go back to achnowleging your ignorance and save us from your diseducation.

Where is this Chess city supposed to be located?

They never mentioned the location.

I really want to see a rendering,just cause i have a bad image of what it would look like
when i first heard about this,it sounded like a joke
i mean it could work, if they gave it a unique architecture that resembeled chess pieces,not building that look exactly like them.
renders Krishnoff renders!

I think the design will only be "inspired" by the different chess pieces not exactly like them.

I am sure penthouses in the crown of the king would have an...impressive... price! :lol:

Was searching for half an hour in the whole net but no news on this one...
mhmmm :sleepy:

http://www.chessbase.com/images2/2004/chesscity02.jpg

and the developers are talking about a project looking like a chess board :sly:

does anybody see chessboard similarities here?

whats that....
can we find out location?perhaps red lines are current street,and we can see it in projects pdf due the shape?

http://www.chessbase.com/images2/2004/chesscity02.jpg

OMG! They are actually building a small town to house the workers first!

I mean, it is clearly a square, and you can see the initial markings of the square the top left corner. And the contruction of the King, Queen and Bishop are starting. The little buildings must be living quarters or something.

I am impressed!

want to have more information...
could be near festival city...
dubailand...could be everywhere..
why are there no releases.....gradually i think it is a fake project...

hmm, i was thinking of starting my own fake project... monopoly city. citys around the world could each have a 'street' like international city, but with the fun of being able to use it to play a real game!

anyhow, is that an official release? its strange that noone has botherd to release anything official in a while.

i guess it isn't.
monopoly city sound quite funny...dubai would win it has the most money ;)

hmm, i was thinking of starting my own fake project... monopoly city. citys around the world could each have a 'street' like international city, but with the fun of being able to use it to play a real game!

anyhow, is that an official release? its strange that noone has botherd to release anything official in a while.

That actually sounds more realistic than Chess City.:D

Each country would be given a plot of land, and they can build their houses and hotels.

^ you could actualy play the game!

people would drive around 'the board' with their friends in other cars, all comunicating via mobile, and buying properties as they go!

any recent news or pics on that hydropolis project?! last heard it was cancelled.

well i havent heard anything,

??? any news ??

any newssssssssss

I think it's not realistic!!

come on! let it go

It hasnt been in the news for ages! :(

But today, the Chess City made it to the news!!!!!! :cheers: I like the Dubai being 'too busy' part. :lol:

Here, look at the article and the pic from 7DAYS:

http://i1.tinypic.com/nqdyu0.jpg

http://i1.tinypic.com/nqdz7q.jpg

Sorry the quality isnt the best... I used the cam on my mob...

Do you think it will ever be built?


Here is the article:
Chess City project moves emirate
Tuesday, 14 February 2006
7DAYS

Dubai International Chess City has been moved from Dubai to another, UN-named, emirate, the project’s developers, told 7DAYS yesterday.

Despite being announced in August 2003 the project has yet to break ground, but it is still going ahead, said Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim, principle of the Sulaiman Al Fahim Group.

“We cannot reveal confidential details at this time but the project is being moved from Dubai,” said Dr Sulaiman. The project was originally to include 32 towers in the shape of traditional chess pieces. The two king towers were to stand at an altitude of 64 floors.

The project was moved from Dubai according to Al Fahim because of the crush of other projects currently ongoing in the city of Dubai. “We want this project to be special therefore we have negotiated a deal to move it to a prime location in another emirate,” he said.

The project was officially announced by then President Kirsan Ilumjinov of the tiny independent republic of Kalmykia. He was, at the time, head of the International Chess Association and a well-known Russian entrepreneur.

http://www.7days.ae/images/stories/Business/20060213-123505-b3.jpg

“Ilumjinov is no longer a part of the project, we now have different investors involved,” said Al Fahim yesterday. The project was supposed to cost a total of $2.6 billion dollars. However that is now changed also.

“It will be a much bigger project. Bigger in size and bigger in budget. We are ready to go. The contracts have been sorted, and we are just waiting on approval of the master plan,” he said.

The project’s delay has been down to the complexity of developing the masterplans, and gaining approval by the authorities.

Let's hope not

Oh my god it looks horrible !

why, where is the problem?
i don't like it either but.. well .. the plan is good, it is just a bit tooooooo huge maybe.

Oh my god it looks horrible !
So they don't build it :D

Is that official ? They won't build it ?

Well, according to the article they've moved it from Dubai.
Which Emirate would actually build this though?

Abu Dhabi or Shj. :D

Abu Dhabi or Shj. :D

I say AD. They have the cash! :D

What do u think?

is it build it ?? in dubai or uae or ???

is it build it ?? in dubai or uae or ???

it WILL be built in the U.A.E, but apparently not in Dubai.

I think they ran away from Dubai due to cost issues. That's why I don't think they would consider Abu Dhabi.

build it in a deep deep deep hole between fujairah and ras al khaimah :D

then put all the excavation material back into the hole!

build it in a deep deep deep hole between fujairah and ras al khaimah :D

then put all the excavation material back into the hole!

PMSL!

I am sure with some redesigning it could look good. They could even build a giant MONOPOLY city near it. Now that would really be a fun project! :D

monopoly city...LOL! Dont give any1 any ideas pls...but on the otherhand...

r

monopoly city...LOL! Dont give any1 any ideas pls...but on the otherhand...

r

me: will someone please build a MONOPOLY City????

Dubai: I thought thats what Dubai was??????!!!!!!!


:hilarious

LOLOLOL

in alain lol

hmmm, just looked at this project, what a horrendous idea!

The good thing is, once built and after a few years, this project will look cool, kind of like a collosally dead and ugly landscape to remind us of the titans or some scene from a Speilberg movie, like that in A.I.
So dead and dark and huge and awful it would be kind of, beautiful :D

Well, other than that, it pretty much sucks, tasteless, pointless, and just plain silly...

And isnt that plan rendering posted by Krazy that of the Chess city in Russia?

On the other hand, building one tower in the shape of a chesspiece in the middle of an urban towers landscape, could be a good idea, and would give the skyline a beautiful experimental touch, and a taste of diversity, like in Rotterdam, with a highrise in the shape of church spire amidst the blocks, or Amsterdam's The Rock or something... But I guess who wants to be experimental in Dubai. Experimental is for starving artists... :D

Wonder when these crazy Dubai planners would stop getting too tasteless... Think there should be a thread for the more tasteless projects in Dubai. Falcon City of Wonders, skyscraper replicas, Palm Deira, Chess City, need i go on? :D

cheerz...

Umm, it's cancelled

darn, was kindof lookin forward to that tastelessness... :D

Cheers man...