Nigel Short, a 61-year-old British grandmaster and former world title challenger, is set to travel to Antarctica for an upcoming chess tournament. The event is part of Short’s broader goal to secure tournament victories on every continent. Short, who currently serves as FIDE’s director for chess development, is looking to join the ranks of historical players who maintained high-level performance well into their later years, such as Viktor Korchnoi and Vasily Smyslov.

While the sporting achievement is the primary focus of the announcement, the event has drawn scrutiny from critics concerned about the environmental consequences of such a trip. The logistics required to host and attend a tournament in the Antarctic have raised questions regarding the carbon footprint associated with the travel. The Guardian reports that the event has been specifically criticized for its climate impact, though the article does not detail the specific organizers or the mitigation efforts, if any, being taken to address these concerns. Short, who has lived in Greece for many years, continues to be an active figure in the international chess circuit despite his age, and this expedition represents a unique milestone in his career.