Magnus Carlsen backs one-second increment for new MOVE Cup rapid chess event in Barcelona

Magnus Carlsen is the first player confirmed for a new elite rapid chess event in Barcelona, and he has also helped design its unusual time control. The MOVE Cup will run on 19 and 20 January 2027 with eight players. Each player gets 10 minutes plus a one-second increment per move. Many top rapid events use a longer increment. Organisers announced the event at a press conference in Barcelona on 20 October. They say it will return to the city for the next three years.

Why only one second?

An increment adds a small amount of time to a player's clock after every move. In most elite rapid chess the increment is several seconds, so a player who moves quickly can save up time on the clock. Carlsen wants less of that. According to Chess.com, he said "one second is just about enough to physically make the moves".

He explained that with two seconds a player can still build up extra time by moving quickly. In his view, 1.5 seconds would be the ideal setting. The idea is to keep the pressure on until the very end of each game, with fewer long pauses. Carlsen has often said he wants chess to be more exciting for spectators. He has backed several events with new formats in recent years.

Format and prize money

The event starts with a one-day round-robin among the eight players. The top four go through to the semi-finals, which are played as best-of-three matches. The final is best of five. Chess.com reported that a charity hand-and-brain event is planned for 18 January, the day before the main tournament.

Players will share €300,000 in prize money. The MOVE Foundation, which organises the event, will give a further €300,000 to its own causes. Any extra money raised during the tournament is to be split equally between the prize fund and the foundation. The foundation says it supports chess development and young talent, and funds research into chess and mental health.

The other seven players have not been named yet. Organisers say they will announce them in the coming weeks. The Catalan newspaper Ara said they expect most of the field to come from the world's top 10.

Carlsen's day in Barcelona

Carlsen spent part of his visit at a chess-themed bar in the city, according to Ara. There, Spanish grandmaster Miguel Illescas played him in a casual game that used the "dragon", a new piece Illescas has invented. The game ended in a draw. Illescas also spoke at the launch press conference.

For fans in Malaysia and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, the event takes place in European daytime in January. Barcelona is seven hours behind Malaysia in winter, so an afternoon start in Spain would mean an evening start in Malaysia. Exact session times have not yet been published.

Key takeaways

• Magnus Carlsen is the first confirmed player for the MOVE Cup in Barcelona on 19 and 20 January 2027.
• Games use 10 minutes plus a one-second increment, a format Carlsen helped design.
• Eight players will play a round-robin, followed by best-of-three semi-finals and a best-of-five final.
• The prize fund is €300,000, with a matching €300,000 going to the MOVE Foundation.
• The other seven players will be announced in the coming weeks.

FAQ

What is the MOVE Cup chess tournament? It is a new eight-player rapid chess event in Barcelona, held on 19 and 20 January 2027. Magnus Carlsen is the first confirmed player, and organisers say the event will be held in the city for three years.

What time control does the MOVE Cup use? Each player has 10 minutes plus a one-second increment per move. Carlsen said one second is about enough to make the moves physically. He suggested 1.5 seconds would be ideal.

How much prize money is on offer at the MOVE Cup? Players share €300,000. The MOVE Foundation adds a matching €300,000 for its chess and mental health causes.

Sources: Chess.com, Ara, G3 Newswire