2026 Australia and New Zealand - Chess Academy
What if your next chess move took you to Sydney to play the world champion?
The Chess Academy Australia and New Zealand is a one-of-a-kind program open to all students across Australia and New Zealand 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 qualify through an online Swiss-format tournament on Chess.com and, if you advance, travel to Sydney to compete in the championship finals against the best student players in the country.
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. These are the skills that define both great chess players and the people who thrive at the world's top trading firms.
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 Sydney to compete in the championship finals against the best student players in the country.
- Play Magnus Carlsen: All finalists take part in a showmatch experience with the
