♟️ About Chess Max Academy

Chess Max Academy (CMA) is a chess school, training organization, and tournament organizer operating in New York City and Greenwich, Connecticut, United States. The academy was founded by GM Maxim Dlugy, a former World Junior Champion and former world-leading blitz player. CMA now operates four physical locations in New York and Connecticut, together with live online programs for students outside its local area.

The academy provides group classes, private coaching, online instruction, adaptive chess, school programs, camps, workshops, and competitive tournaments. Its curriculum serves players from preschool beginners through advanced tournament competitors. Moreover, CMA regularly organizes US Chess-rated events in Manhattan and Greenwich. Its tournament program includes scholastic championships, quads, Swiss events, blitz competitions, and larger festival-style events.

GM Maxim Dlugy remains the founder and principal public figure of Chess Max Academy. He also serves as the operational organizer for major CMA competitions. In 2026, the academy maintains a busy tournament schedule in both New York and Connecticut. Its largest announced event is the 3rd Annual CMA Chess Festival, presented with sponsor A|PRIORI and scheduled for November 7 at Christ Church Greenwich.

🎓 Chess Training and Player Development

Chess Max Academy uses a structured, level-based approach to chess instruction. Students are grouped according to age, experience, and playing strength. Therefore, beginners can progress gradually into more advanced competitive training. The academy’s programs cover tactics, strategy, openings, endgames, calculation, tournament preparation, and practical play. Weekly assignments and game review reinforce material taught during lessons.

Private coaching provides another pathway for players seeking individualized preparation. Meanwhile, live online classes allow students outside New York and Connecticut to participate in the CMA training system. Chess Max Academy also provides specialized programs for younger children and students who benefit from a more individualized learning environment. Its current offering includes Chess for Tots, Adaptive Chess, Chess for Lifelong Learners, camps, and school enrichment programs.

🌟 Student Development and Achievements

Chess Max Academy has worked with several players who later achieved major national and international results. The academy identifies GM Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest Grandmaster in chess history, among its notable students. It also highlights GM Hans Niemann, International Master Tanitoluwa Adewumi, IM Liam Putnam, WIM Ellen Wang, and World Cadets U12 champion Vincent Tsay among players connected with its training programs.

Maxim Dlugy’s official academy profile states that his students have won more than 25 National Scholastic titles, together with world and continental championship successes. However, CMA’s programs are not limited to elite juniors. The academy also emphasizes tournament readiness and long-term improvement for recreational and developing players.

🏆 Tournament Activity in 2026

Chess Max Academy maintains regular tournament activity at its Upper West Side location in Manhattan and its Greenwich academy in Connecticut. In New York, CMA hosts recurring US Chess-rated championships. The standard format includes three rounds at G/25; d5, with separate scholastic sections based on grade and rating. In Greenwich, the academy organizes regular Quads & Swiss tournaments. These events use three rounds at G/25 with a five-second increment and provide US Chess-rated competition throughout the school year.

CMA also organizes faster events. Its New York tournament program has included weekly Blitz competitions, while its larger Connecticut events combine strong prize funds with open participation and titled players.

⚡ CMA Bughouse Championship

Bughouse has become an important part of Chess Max Academy’s tournament identity. In 2024, CMA organized the A|PRIORI CMA Bughouse Championship in Greenwich. The event was sanctioned by the Connecticut State Chess Association and offered a guaranteed $12,500 prize fund. The tournament returned in 2025 with an expanded prize fund advertised above $15,000. Once again, A|PRIORI served as sponsor while Chess Max Academy handled tournament organization.

The competition includes overall prizes as well as rating, mixed-team, girls, junior, family, and other special categories. Consequently, it combines high-level competition with a distinctive team-chess format.

🌟 3rd Annual CMA Chess Festival 2026

The 3rd Annual CMA Chess Festival is scheduled for November 7, 2026 at Christ Church Greenwich – Parish Hall. The festival combines two major events. First, players compete in a FIDE-rated Blitz Championship at 3+2. The current US Chess listing advertises a guaranteed $10,000 Blitz prize fund and 150 US Chess Grand Prix points.

The second competition is the CMA Bughouse Championship. The current US Chess listing advertises $13,300 in guaranteed Bughouse prizes, including overall, rating, junior, mixed, girls, and GM-team awards. IA Harold Stenzel serves as International Arbiter. Meanwhile, GM Maxim Dlugy is listed by US Chess as the organizer.

A|PRIORI supports the festival as sponsor and co-presenter. However, Chess Max Academy remains the operational chess organizer and manages registration through its own tournament platform.

🏛️ Organization and Leadership

GM Maxim Dlugy founded Chess Max Academy and leads its educational and tournament programs. He is a former World Junior Champion and has extensive experience as a player, trainer, and chess organizer. The academy currently operates locations on the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, together with its Greenwich, Connecticut academy.

Its New York mailing base is at 110 West 79th Street. From there, CMA coordinates its instructional programs, online services, camps, workshops, and tournament activities. The academy also continues to expand its tournament schedule. Therefore, rated competition now forms a substantial part of CMA’s work alongside its original educational mission.