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 youre a seasoned competitor or just love the 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 play face-to-face with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen.

This is more than a chess tournament. Its an opportunity to step inside one of the worlds leading trading firms connect with IMCs traders researchers and technologists and experience what its like to think fast compete hard and perform under pressure skills that define both great chess players and the people who thrive at the worlds top trading firms.

What Youll Do

• Compete at the highest level: Qualify through an online Swiss-format tournament on and if you advance travel to IMCs 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 IMCs Chicago office and get a firsthand look at the environment where some of the worlds 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.

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 Youll 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 account
• Available to compete in the virtual qualifier on May 19 or 20 2026 (date assigned and cannot be changed once confirmed)
• Available to travel to Chicago for the finals on July
• 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.

About Us

IMC is a global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Since 1989 weve 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.