Shadows on the Chessboard - The Great Game, 1837

Throughout the 19th century, the Central Asian arena became the focal point of a silent war, a cold war, based on geopolitical rivalry and regional dominance. Across the mountains and deserts of the region, the Russian and British empires were quietly playing chess. As the Russian Empire pursued regional hegemony, often through the conquest of Central Asian khanates, the British Empire feared the loss of its colonial crown jewel, India. Considering both Empires feared major war, delegates will take on the role of the intelligence apparatus for each empire, focusing on espionage, mapping, and diplomacy to achieve their respective Empire’s goals. The question now remains: will one empire quietly checkmate the other? Or will the analogies and shadows break, bringing both empires to the brink of a direct conflict neither can control?