BETBY to power new elite Move Cup chess tournament in Barcelona
The rapid chess event will feature eight grandmasters, a €300,000 prize fund and an equal contribution to the MOVE Foundation.
Key takeaways:
- BETBY has been announced as the powering sponsor of the MOVE Cup, a new elite rapid chess tournament to be held in Barcelona on January 19 and 20, 2027.
- The tournament will bring together eight leading grandmasters, with Magnus Carlsen, BETBY’s global brand ambassador, confirmed as the first participant.
- The MOVE Cup will have a €300,000 prize fund, matched by an equal €300,000 contribution to the MOVE Foundation.
- The MOVE Foundation supports chess development, young talent and research around chess and mental health.
- The event will begin with a charity activation at BETBY’s ICE Barcelona stand, 5K20, on January 18, ahead of the tournament on January 19 and 20.
Press release.- BETBY has been announced as the powering sponsor of the newly launched MOVE Cup, an elite rapid chess tournament set to bring eight of the world’s leading grandmasters to Barcelona on January 19 and 20, 2027.
Officially unveiled at a press conference in Barcelona, the MOVE Cup aims to establish itself as a regular fixture on the international chess calendar, combining elite competition with a strong charitable purpose.
The tournament will feature a €300,000 prize fund, matched by an equal €300,000 contribution to the MOVE Foundation, which supports chess development, young talent, and research around chess and mental health.
Magnus Carlsen, BETBY’s global brand ambassador and widely regarded as the chess GOAT, has been confirmed as the first player in the line-up. The remaining seven grandmasters will be announced individually in the coming weeks.
BETBY’s support of the MOVE Cup builds on its growing connection with the global chess community. Carlsen first joined BETBY at ICE Barcelona in 2025, before returning for a second consecutive year in 2026, when the supplier brought together Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Levy Rozman for one of its most ambitious brand activations to date.
The MOVE Cup represents the next step in that journey. Its programme will begin on January 18 with a charity activation at the BETBY stand (5K20) during ICE Barcelona, bringing together leading players, donors, and partners in a special hand-and-brain format.
Leonid Pertsovskiy, CEO and co-founder of BETBY, said: “Chess is a game of clear thinking, analysis, patience, and resilience. After the successful chess event during ICE Barcelona 2026, we wanted to bring the world’s best players back to this city for something bigger and more ambitious. The MOVE Cup is that step. The ambition of the MOVE Cup is to become a regular event on the global chess calendar, and we at BETBY are proud to support that.”
The MOVE Cup tournament will take place on January 19 and 20, 2027, during ICE Barcelona week, following the charity activation at BETBY’s stand 5K20 on January 18.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- How is the MOVE Cup funded? The tournament has a €300,000 prize fund, which will be matched by an equal €300,000 contribution to the MOVE Foundation. The foundation supports chess development, young talent and research around chess and mental health.
- When and where will the MOVE Cup take place? The MOVE Cup will take place in Barcelona on January 19 and 20, 2027, during ICE Barcelona week. A charity activation will be held at BETBY’s stand 5K20 on January 18.
- Who will play in the MOVE Cup? Eight leading grandmasters are expected to take part. Magnus Carlsen has been confirmed as the first player, while the remaining seven participants are due to be announced in the coming weeks.
