IMC Chess
See the patterns. Gain the edge.
Chess runs across IMC – traders, quant researchers, engineers, all drawn to the same game for the same underlying reasons. The intellectual demands of chess and the work we do are closely related: anticipating your opponent, spotting the patterns others don't see, and understanding that small edges compound.
CHESS AND TRADING
It's not a coincidence that so many IMCers play chess. The skills that separate good from great are the same in both chess and trading
In chess, you play out how your opponent responds before you commit to a move. In trading, you do the same with how the market responds to events. Understanding the possible market responses is what gives you an edge.
Chess theory and trading models operate in the same way. Identify the recurring structures, prepare the response in advance, execute on recognition.
A slightly better position, a slightly better entry. Neither decides anything on its own. But over enough moves, or enough trades, the advantage tilts. It isn't symmetrical though. One blunder can undo a long run of good decisions.
THE PARTNERSHIP
In 2025, IMC backed Team Liquid's move into chess. The team immediately signed Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana – the highest and third-highest-rated players in history. In 2026, we extended our partnership through to 2030.
For the global IMC community, that commitment means having the opportunity to meet and play Magnus and Fabiano through internal tournaments and office events
CHESS ACADEMY
The IMC x Team Liquid Chess Academy is our global flagship chess competition for the next generation of chess players. University students compete through online and in-person qualifiers for a chance to play Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana at one of our global offices.
Australia and New Zealand
Chess Academy is launching in Australia and NZ on 5 October. To register your interest ahead of applications opening, fill in the expression of interest form.
Europe
Chess Academy will be launching in Europe in January 2027. Register your interest to be the first to hear when applications open.
US
Chess Academy in the US returns in April 2027. Register your interest to be first to know when applications open.
CHART THE PATH FORWARD
The market's toughest problems demand more than fast code and smart models; they require collective intelligence. IMC is a global quantitative trading firm driven by top researchers, engineers, and traders who relentlessly optimize across high-performance computing systems, deep learning models, and turn large amounts of data into trading strategies across asset classes.
