BETBY Unveils Carlsen VS Nakamura blindfold exhibition match at ICE Barcelona
BETBY, the Tier-1 B2B sportsbook supplier, has unveiled further details of its landmark ICE Barcelona 2026 activation, building on what is set to become one of the most memorable activations at one of the world’s leading iGaming exhibitions.
Following December’s announcement that Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Levy Rozman (GothamChess) will appear together publicly in Europe for the first time, BETBY has now confirmed a series of exclusive on-stage events that elevate the activation into a true once-in-a-lifetime moment.
The highlight will be an unprecedented blindfold exhibition match between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, a historic encounter that has never before taken place. The spectacle will be brought to life by Levy Rozman, whose distinctive commentary style has made him the world’s most influential chess entertainer. His live play-by-play will guide the audience through the extraordinary challenge of seeing two of the greatest minds in chess compete without sight of the board.
Alongside the blindfold match, BETBY will also host a set of interactive exhibition games in which ICE delegates will have the rare chance to sit across the board from the global chess icons. These matches will blend high-level entertainment with genuine competitive insight, offering delegates a firsthand experience of elite decision-making under pressure.
The activation will further feature a fireside chat with Carlsen, Nakamura, and Rozman. In this informal, unscripted conversation, the trio will explore themes of strategic thinking, precision, mental discipline, and the evolution of chess as both a sport and a digital entertainment phenomenon. With Levy steering the discussion in his trademark energetic style, attendees can expect deep insights, unexpected moments, and plenty of personality.
These elements reinforce the significance of BETBY’s activation, which forms the centrepiece of the supplier’s global brand campaign with Magnus Carlsen, Leaders Choose Leaders. The campaign is built around the idea that true leaders seek out excellence, a message embodied in bringing together three of the most impactful figures in modern chess.
“We wanted to create something truly unforgettable for ICE Barcelona, and this lineup of events achieves exactly that,” said Pierre Pulis, Marketing Director at BETBY. “An exhibition blindfold match between Magnus and Hikaru is the kind of moment that you can hardly imagine seeing, and that’s exactly what we wanted to provide to ICE delegates. Coupled with Levy’s unmatched ability to bring emotion and clarity to the game, this will be a historic experience not just for chess fans, but for the entire iGaming community.”
BETBY invites all ICE delegates, chess enthusiasts, and industry professionals to witness this groundbreaking showcase, where elite talent, strategy, and entertainment converge.
