BETBY sponsors new elite rapid chess tournament in Barcelona
The MOVE Cup will feature an eight-player field, a €300,000 prize pool and an equal donation to the MOVE Foundation.
BARCELONA — Sportsbook supplier BETBY has been announced as the powering sponsor of the newly launched MOVE Cup, an elite rapid chess tournament set for Barcelona in January 2027.
The rapid chess event will feature eight grandmasters, a €300,000 prize fund and an equal contribution to the MOVE Foundation.
The tournament was officially unveiled at a press conference in Barcelona.
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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.
“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,” said Leonid Pertsovskiy, CEO and co-founder of BETBY.
The remaining seven grandmasters will be announced individually in the coming weeks.
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 MOVE Foundation supports chess development, young talent, and research around chess and mental health.
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.
In 2026, 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 Jan. 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.
“Chess is a game of clear thinking, analysis, patience, and resilience,” Pertsovskiy said.
He added that the MOVE Cup is that ambitious step forward.
“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,” Pertsovskiy said.
The MOVE Cup tournament will take place on Jan. 19 and 20, 2027, during ICE Barcelona week, following the charity activation.