2026 Chess Academy Australia & New Zealand - Expression of Interest
IMC TradingAbout the Role
The Chess Academy Australia and New Zealand is a program presented by IMC in partnership with Team Liquid, open to all students across Australian and New Zealand colleges and universities, whether seasoned competitors or casual players. Students qualify through an online Swiss-format tournament on Chess.com and, if they advance, travel to Sydney to compete in the championship finals against the best student players in the country.
It is 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.
- Compete in an online Swiss-format qualifying tournament on Chess.com and play for one of the spots that advance to the championship finals in Sydney.
- All finalists take part in a showmatch experience with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen.
- Finalists take part in an exclusive masterclass led by Magnus Carlsen and Grandmaster Robert Hess.
- Tour IMC's Sydney office and get a firsthand look at the environment where some of the world's fastest and most sophisticated trading takes place.
- Connect directly with IMC traders, researchers, technologists and recruiters.
Responsibilities
- Compete in an online Swiss-format qualifying tournament on Chess.com and play for one of the spots that advance to the championship finals in Sydney
- Take part in a showmatch experience with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen as a finalist
- Take part in an exclusive masterclass led by Magnus Carlsen and Grandmaster Robert Hess as a finalist
- Tour IMC's Sydney office and get a firsthand look at the environment where some of the world's fastest and most sophisticated trading takes place
- Connect directly with IMC traders, researchers, technologists, and recruiters
Requirements
- Currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate student at an Australian or New Zealand college or university
- Participants enrolled at a university in New Zealand must also hold New Zealand citizenship
- 18 years of age or older
- A valid Chess.com account
- Available to compete in the virtual qualifiers during the week of the 9, 10 or 11th November 2026
- Available to travel to Sydney for the finals on 9th December 2026
- Open to all majors and academic backgrounds — all skill levels welcome
What You'll Get
- Chance to qualify for the championship finals in Sydney through an online qualifying tournament on Chess.com
- Showmatch experience with World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen for all finalists
- Exclusive masterclass led by Magnus Carlsen and Grandmaster Robert Hess for finalists
- Tour of IMC's Sydney office
- Networking with IMC traders, researchers, technologists and recruiters