GM Magnus Carlsen wants more events that are exciting to watch. Now he has helped shape one. The world number-one will headline the inaugural MOVE Cup in Barcelona on January 19–20, 2027, an eight-player rapid tournament with €300,000 in prizes and a one-second increment intended to keep the pressure on.

The two-day event is backed by sportsbook technology supplier BETBY, which has sponsored Carlsen since 2024. A charity hand-and-brain event on January 18 will precede the main competition, which takes place alongside ICE Barcelona, a trade show for the gaming industry.

Organizers said the tournament is guaranteed to take place in Barcelona for the next three years. Carlsen is the only confirmed participant, but the remaining seven grandmasters, expected to be some of the top names in the world, will be announced in the coming weeks. 

“The fact that Magnus Carlsen is involved speaks for itself," eight-time Spanish chess champion GM Miguel Illescas said at a press conference in Barcelona on October 20.

Carlsen noted how chess has grown in recent years, but argued he wants events that can attract more fans. "I think we kind of lack events that bring chess to an audience that can have a better spectator experience that makes it more exciting," he said. 

We lack events that bring chess to an audience that can have a better spectator experience that makes it more exciting.
—Magnus Carlsen

At the MOVE Cup, spectators on site will be able to follow live commentary through headphones, with scores displayed on large screens, similar to Chess.com's Speed Chess Championship Finals and the Esports World Cup Final. 

Magnus Carlsen discussing the format of the Move Cup during yesterday’s press conference. https://t.co/jhXT4EkHe1

— David Llada ♞ ( @davidllada) October 21, 2026

"This will be a lot of fun and really exciting to follow," Carlsen said.

The world number-one has played a part in designing the tournament format. Games will be played with 10 minutes plus a one-second increment.

"One second is just about enough to physically make the moves," he explained. “Two seconds, the problem is that you can accumulate time," he said, suggesting a 1.5-second increment would be ideal.

One second is just about enough to physically make the moves. Two seconds, the problem is that you can accumulate time.
—Magnus Carlsen

The first day consists of a round-robin with the eight players, with the top four players advancing to semifinals. The knockout phase will be played as best of three games, while the final will have a best of five games.

The launch also introduces the MOVE Foundation, which will receive a €300,000 contribution matching the players’ prize fund. Organizers say any additional money raised during the tournament will be divided equally between the prize fund and the foundation.

The foundation’s stated priorities include chess development, support for young talent, and research into chess and mental health. Board member Inese Dabola said it would work with existing projects as well as develop its own programs, with information about donations and activities published online.

"We believe chess has a lot to offer today," Dabola said.

It's worth noting that the MOVE Cup overlaps with Tata Steel Chess, a tournament that has been on the chess calendar for decades. In 2027, it runs from January 15-31 in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. Carlsen has won the Dutch tournament eight times, but has not played there since 2023. 

Asked by Chess.com about the clash, he smiled: "It means that I’m not playing next year," adding that he has a great relationship with the Dutch organizers.

"On a more general point, it would of course be good if there was more coordination in the chess world and that it were less fragmented. But it is what it is."

For Carlsen, the MOVE Cup marks yet another speed chess tournament on his calendar. A highlight of the press conference was Illescas, who worked with former world champion GM Vladimir Kramnik, asking whether Carlsen would consider returning to the World Championship cycle for $20 million. 

"Most people have a price, obviously," Carlsen said. "But I am not going to speculate what that price is. From a sporting perspective, there are a lot of things in chess that interest me more than a classical match."

Would Magnus Carlsen play in the World Championship cycle for $20M? 👀 https://t.co/2Tsix2fjPN

— Chess.com ( @chesscom) October 20, 2026