The new 5.000 sq. meter Chess-club building in Khanty-Mansiysk already hosted the 2010 Chess Olympics in September. Now in December it will officially open for the inhabitants. Erick van Egeraat worked closely with the municipality of Khanty-Mansiysk and its main benefactor Gazprom in realizing this extraordinary building. He compared the Chess Club’s sleek, but slightly distorted appearance with the physics of a chess player. Motionless on the outside, but with great internal struggle to beat the opponent. This contrast is emphasized by the “cool” zinc-clad façade and the “warm” predominantly wooden interior. “This tiny building is a little Icon but could soon become the first step in the redevelopment of this unique city in the centre of Eurasia”, says Erick van Egeraat.