Sportsbook solutions firm BETBY has announced a challenging new element for its chess match at the ICE gaming trade show in Barcelona in just over a week.

The company will host a blindfolded exhibition match between Grand Masters Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, who are first and second ranked in the world, respectively.

Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Champion, while Nakamura is a five-time US Chess Champion. Levy Rozman, the world’s most followed chess streamer, will provide commentary for the game.

“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.”

In addition to the blindfold match, BETBY is preparing interactive exhibition games where ICE attendees will be able play against any of the three high-ranked chess players.

There will also be a fireside chat with Carlsen, Nakamura and Rozman discussing strategic thinking, prediction, mental discipline and chess’s evolution as a sport and form of digital entertainment.

Chess has been a key part of BETBY’s approach to both product development and marketing over the past few years. The firm has been working with Carlsen as a brand ambassador for some time, exclusively revealing the ICE event to SBC News in late 2025.