Vostok Shelf is a large ice shelf housing two unnamed villages. Both villages are presided over by their own leader, who each lay claim to the shelf. Both leaders are known to be extremely egotistical, as well as fans of games and betting. Although both are sure of their own superiority, they are known to be fair players and agreed to a chess match to determine which village would be allowed to remain on the shelf. The game is moderated by the custom built Vostok Computational System, which allows players one legal move per day. Should one player be victorious, the appropriate missiles will be activated and the loser’s town will be destroyed.