Optiver Chess Championship 2025
Date: September 17, 2025
Start time: 5:15 pm CEST
End time: 10:00 pm CEST
Online qualifiers: June 23, 2025
Application deadline: June 18, 2025
Location: Amsterdam HQ
2025 Optiver Chess Championship
Make your move
Optiver is excited to present the third edition of the Optiver Chess Championship — a unique opportunity to combine your passion for chess with networking and career exploration!
- What’s at stake? Glory. Plus final winners get to challenge Grandmaster Anish Giri or International Master Eline Roebers
- Who’s invited? University students based in the UK or EU*
- Why join? Qualify for September’s live finals, network with Optiver employees, and meet some of Europe’s top chess talent.
*with valid travel documents to attend the finals in Amsterdam.
Virtual qualifiers
Date: Monday, 23 June 2025
Time: 19:00 – 21:30 CEST
Location: Online via Lichess.org
Play in one of three skill-level categories—or a new women’s-only bracket—for your chance to advance to the finals.
Live finals
Date: Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Time: 17:15 – 22:00 CEST
Location: Optiver Amsterdam HQ
The top two players from each virtual bracket will be invited to Amsterdam for the live finals, where they will compete to determine each bracket’s winner.
You’ll also:
- Network with Optiver employees and fellow chess enthusiasts
- Meet Anish Giri and Eline Roebers
- Experience Optiver’s Amsterdam HQ
Additionally, a select few others will be invited to watch the live event — giving even more players the opportunity to experience the finals, network, and meet top chess talent.
Grand finale
The winners of the live finals in each bracket will earn the opportunity to take on top chess players:
- Winners of Brackets A, B, and C will face Grandmaster Anish Giri in a simultaneous exhibition match.
- Winner of the women’s-only bracket will challenge International Master Eline Roebers in a one-on-one match.
Eligibility
- You are currently studying at a university in the UK or EU at the time of the online qualifiers (including those graduating in Summer 2025.)
- You are able to demonstrate at the time of application that you have the requisite visa or other travel arrangements or authorisations in place in order to allow you to attend the live event in person.
Watch last year’s video
Timeline
| Wednesday, 18 June | 23:59 CEST | Applications close. |
| Friday, 20 June | by end of day | You’ll hear back from us about your eligibility status. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an invitation to our chess rooms. |
| Monday, 23 June | 19:00 – 21:30 CEST | Virtual qualifiers on Lichess.org to determine finalists. |
| Tuesday, 1 July | by end of day | Our team reviews the games for fair play and finalists are announced via email. |
| Wednesday, 17 September | 17:15 – 22:00 CEST | Live finals with Anish Giri and Eline Roebers at Optiver’s Headquarters in Amsterdam. |
Competition categories
Bracket A:
Open to all, and with over 30 games played.
Bracket B:
For those with a Chess.com/Lichess account more than 6 months old and over 30 games played. Peak rating on Chess.com across rapid/blitz/bullet < 2000, and on Lichess < 2100.
Bracket C:
Tailored for emerging talents with a Chess.com/Lichess account over 6 months old and more than 30 games played. Peak rating on Chess.com across rapid/blitz/bullet < 1250, and on Lichess < 1600.
Women’s only bracket:
Open to women players of all skill levels. This bracket has no rating restrictions, and the winner will earn the chance to face International Master Eline Roebers in a one-on-one exhibition match at the live finals.
Questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Join us for a tournament that celebrates skill, strategy and the spirit of competition. The Optiver Chess Championship 2025 awaits your opening move.