Chessnut Meets Magnus Carlsen: An Unforgettable Night in Hong Kong

On June 16, 2026, the eve of the FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships, chess fans in Hong Kong were treated to something truly special — An Evening with Magnus Carlsen, an intimate meet-and-greet held at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel.Chessnut was proud to be a sponsor of this landmark event, and what unfolded that evening was beyond anything we could have imagined.

The Event

Organized by Anichess, the evening brought together chess enthusiasts from across Hong Kong and beyond for a rare chance to meet the five-time World Champion and undisputed World No. 1 in person. 

The atmosphere was electric. Fans of all ages lined up for photos, autographs, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sit across the board from the greatest player the game has ever seen. And at the heart of it all, Chessnut boards were there — connecting fans to the champion they admire.

The Chessnut Experience

Chessnut sponsored the event by providing 25 Chessnut boards — including the Chessnut Air and Air+ — for fans to play on throughout the evening. These boards became the centerpiece of the night, putting our technology directly into the hands of chess enthusiasts from around the world.Magnus Plays a Simultaneous Exhibition on 25 Chessnut Boards.

The real showstopper, however, was yet to come.
Magnus took on fans in a simultaneous exhibition, playing across all 25 Chessnut boards at once. Imagine sitting across from Magnus Carlsen, watching your pieces glide across the board as he makes his moves in real time. That's the experience our technology delivered — and it delivered it to the world's best.

Every move Magnus made was physically played on each board, piece gliding to its square, giving fans an experience that felt as real as a game in Magnus's own living room. This is what Chessnut is about: bridging the gap between digital convenience and the irreplaceable feel of a real chess board.

Magnus vs. AI on the Chessnut Move

As if playing 25 fans simultaneously wasn't enough, Magnus also took on the Chessnut Move itself — our robotic self-moving chessboard — in a human vs. AI showdown. One board, one champion, one machine. The Chessnut Move was built to bring online chess to life, to make every game feel real and tangible. And on this night, it stood across the board from the greatest player in history.

4 Signed Chessnut Boards Auctioned for Charity

To cap off the evening, 4 Chessnut boards — personally signed by Magnus Carlsen — were put up for auction, with all proceeds going to charity. These one-of-a-kind boards, featuring Magnus's, were bid on by fans eager to own a piece of chess history.

We're honored that Chessnut could play a part in something bigger than chess — using the game we love to make a positive impact. It's a reminder that chess has always been about connection — between players, between generations, and now, through technology, between anyone, anywhere in the world.

Chessnut × The Chess World

For Chessnut, sponsoring An Evening with Magnus Carlsen was more than a brand moment. It was a chance to be part of history — to stand alongside the game's greatest player, to let fans experience our boards in the most extraordinary setting, and to contribute to a cause that goes beyond the 64 squares. We believe the future of chess is smart, connected, and accessible.

June 2026 · Hong Kong