Magnus Carlsen presents a new tournament in Barcelona: “Chess lacks events that bring the game closer to the public”

In April 1989, Barcelona brought together some of the best chess players in the world in a tournament marked by excitement until the last game. The Yugoslavian Ljubomir Ljubojević had dominated a good part of the competition, but the then world champion, Garry Kasparov, staged a comeback that left both tied on points. 37 years have passed since that historic competition and Barcelona is preparing to reunite the elite of world chess. This time with the great star of the moment, Magnus Carlsen, as the protagonist.

The Norwegian, 35 years old and five-time world champion of classical chess, will be one of the eight figures who will compete in the MOVE Cup on January 19 and 20, 2027. “Chess lacks events that bring the game closer to the public,” Carlsen declared during the presentation of the championship, held this Tuesday in Barcelona. The organization keeps the location of the tournament a secret, and has only announced that it will be “an emblematic place in the city.” Carlsen is the first confirmed participant; The other seven grandmasters will be announced progressively.

"Spain has a great chess tradition and I am happy to return. Chess has been part of the culture for a long time," the chess player recalled to EL PAÍS. The 1989 World Cup was one of the great chess events held in Barcelona and also served as a sporting showcase for a city that was preparing for the 1992 Olympic Games. Since then, the hobby has remained alive: Catalonia closed 2025 with a record of 8,640 federation licenses. Chess, meanwhile, has changed considerably. Digital platforms, internet broadcasts and the popularity of quick games have expanded their audience. “What chess has experienced in recent years has been incredible,” said Carlsen during the presentation. However, he considers that there is still a lack of competitions that offer a more attractive experience to the viewer.

The MOVE Cup will continue this commitment to quick games. The eight participants will first face each other to decide the four semi-finalists, who will compete in the qualifiers before the final. Each player will have ten minutes and an additional second per move, with a total prize pool of 300,000 euros. “It is a little less comfortable for the players, but also more demanding,” acknowledged the world number one.

The Norwegian believes that chess already has appeal among younger people and that its presence in popular culture continues to grow. “There are more and more people who come into contact with him and this is very good.” He also welcomes its incorporation into schools as an optional subject. “Analytical thinking, decision making and the ability to sit down and solve a problem are very useful,” he defended this newspaper. The educational aspect is also one of the objectives of the foundation that promotes the tournament, which will allocate an amount equivalent to the prizes to charitable activities. The organization aims to keep the tournament in Barcelona for at least three editions, coinciding with the ICE Barcelona fair.