2026 US Chess Academy

Presented by IMC and Team Liquid

What if your next chess move took you to Chicago to face the world champion?

The US Chess Academy is a one-of-a-kind program open to all students across US and Canadian colleges and universities — whether you're a seasoned competitor or just love the game. In partnership with Team Liquid, IMC is bringing together the brightest student chess players in the country for a chance to compete at the highest level — and come face-to-face with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen.

This is more than a chess tournament. It's an opportunity to step inside one of the world's leading trading firms, connect with IMC's traders, researchers and technologists, and experience what it's like to think fast, compete hard, and perform under pressure — skills that define both great chess players and great traders.

What You'll Do

• Compete at the highest level: Qualify through an online Swiss-format tournament on Chess.com and, if you advance, travel to IMC's Chicago office to compete in the championship finals against the best student players in the country.
• Face the greatest: Finalist competitors will take part in a showmatch experience with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen — one of the most exceptional competitive opportunities available to any student chess player.
• Go behind the scenes at IMC: Tour IMC's Chicago office and get a firsthand look at the environment where some of the world's fastest and most sophisticated trading takes place.
• Build your network: Connect directly with IMC traders, researchers, technologists, and recruiters. Whether or not a career in trading is on your radar, this is a rare chance to meet and learn from world-class professionals in a relaxed, competitive setting.

Key Dates

• Applications Close: Sunday, May 10, 2026
• Eligibility Notifications: Monday, May 11, 2026
• Virtual Qualifiers: Tuesday, May 19 or Wednesday, May 20, 2026
• Championship at IMC Chicago: Sunday, July 12-Monday, July 13, 2026

What You'll Need

• Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate student at a US or Canadian college or university
• 18 years of age or older
• A valid Chess.com account
• Available to compete in the virtual qualifier on May 19 or 20, 2026 (date assigned — cannot be changed once confirmed)
• Available to travel to Chicago for the finals on July 12–13, 2026
• Open to all majors and academic backgrounds — all skill levels welcome

Ready to Apply?

Applications are open to all enrolled students regardless of chess rating or experience level. If you love the game and want to test yourself against the best, we want to hear from you.

Apply by May 10, 2026.

For full eligibility requirements and competition rules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions. 

Questions? Reach out to USChessAcademy@imc.com.

About Us

IMC is a global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Since 1989, we’ve been a stabilizing force in financial markets, providing essential liquidity upon which market participants depend. Across our offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and India, our talented quant researchers, engineers, traders, and business operations professionals are united by our uniquely collaborative, high-performance culture, and our commitment to giving back. From entering dynamic new markets to embracing disruptive technologies, and from developing an innovative research environment to diversifying our trading strategies, we dare to continuously innovate and collaborate to succeed.