♟️ About International Chess Academy

International Chess Academy (ICA) is a privately owned chess school and tournament organizer serving Bergen County, New Jersey, USA, with permanent locations in Glen Rock and Teaneck. The academy was founded in 1996 by Diana Tulman and WGM Irina Levitina, initially operating as the Chess School of Teaneck before adopting its present name as the program expanded. ICA provides structured chess education from beginner through master level while also organizing US Chess- and FIDE-rated competitions.

ICA combines weekly instruction with Future Masters and Masters programs, private coaching, after-school chess, online classes, scholastic camps, Grandmaster camps, and a large tournament program. Its recurring competitions include the ICA FIDE Championship, ICA Open Championship, Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championships, and frequent Glen Rock Quads. The academy serves hundreds of students each season and also offers virtual programs, allowing players outside New Jersey to join its training system.

Diana Tulman remains Co-Founder and Director of International Chess Academy and is the principal operational contact for the organization. Co-founder WGM Irina Levitina, a former Women’s World Championship challenger and three-time U.S. Women’s Champion, continues to teach advanced students, while GM Alexander Stripunsky leads important master-level programs. ICA remained extremely active throughout 2026, with weekly tournaments, FIDE Championships in April and July, Open Championships, summer camps, and new in-person and virtual classes scheduled for the fall 2026 semester.

📜 History and Development

ICA began in 1996, when Diana Tulman and Irina Levitina started chess programs in Teaneck after arriving in the United States from the former Soviet Union. The original program began with a small group of students. Levitina developed its advanced Future Masters and Masters instruction, while Tulman managed the academy’s broader educational program. As enrollment and the coaching staff expanded, the Chess School of Teaneck evolved into the International Chess Academy. The organization subsequently added another permanent location in Glen Rock, along with online teaching, camps, mathematics programs, and a substantially larger tournament calendar.

The academy marked roughly 30 years of activity in 2026, while continuing the educational model established by its founders.

🎓 Chess Training and Development

ICA offers training for players ranging from complete beginners to nationally ranked juniors and advanced tournament competitors. Its teaching staff includes titled players and experienced coaches. WGM Irina Levitina remains closely connected with the Masters program, while GM Alexander Stripunsky is a leading instructor for advanced players. The 2026 GM Summer Camp, headed by Stripunsky, was designed for strong juniors with established US Chess or FIDE ratings. Seven training weeks were scheduled between late June and mid-August, combining intensive chess instruction with practical competition and physical activities.

Alongside advanced training, ICA operates scholastic camps for children aged approximately 6–16, in-person courses in Glen Rock and Teaneck, private instruction, and virtual semesters.

🏆 ICA Tournament Program

Tournament chess is a major part of the academy’s year-round activity. ICA organizes competitions for beginners, juniors, adult club players, masters, and FIDE-rated competitors. The Glen Rock Quads are among its most frequent events and were staged repeatedly throughout the first eight months of 2026. ICA also runs its Open Championships on a recurring basis, generally alternating stronger open competition with rating-restricted events.

Another established series is the Dr. David Ostfeld Memorial ICA Championships, which provides several rating sections and opportunities for younger players to transition into longer tournament formats. This regular competition schedule allows students to combine lessons with practical tournament experience rather than treating training and competitive chess as separate activities.

🌟 ICA FIDE Championship

The ICA FIDE Championship is the academy’s principal tournament for advanced competitors. In 2026, entry was aimed at players rated approximately 1800+ FIDE or 1900+ US Chess, making it the strongest regular event on ICA’s calendar. The first 2026 edition took place on April 18–19 in Glen Rock. The four-round tournament attracted a field led by GM Bryce Tiglon, who shared first place with Mark Leo Kogan on 3.5/4. FM Aditeya Das was among the players finishing on three points.

A second ICA FIDE Championship followed on July 18–19, 2026. Five players — Priyansh Garg, Aaryan Mummidi, Yefim Treger, Anvith Reddy Marri, and Melanie Liang — finished level on 3/4. Both events demonstrate ICA’s ability to provide serious FIDE-rated classical competition alongside its larger scholastic program.

🌟 Irina Levitina and Advanced Chess

ICA’s coaching identity is closely connected with co-founder WGM Irina Levitina. Before establishing the academy, Levitina was one of the strongest women players in the world, challenged for the Women’s World Championship, and won the U.S. Women’s Championship in 1991, 1992, and 1993. She later concentrated much of her chess work on teaching the next generation through ICA’s advanced programs.

In 2024, Levitina was inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame. She continues to appear on ICA’s current coaching team, linking the academy’s educational program with a distinguished international competitive career.

🏆 ICA FIDE Championship — March 20–21, 2027

International Chess Academy hosts a two-day FIDE- and US Chess-rated classical tournament on March 20–21, 2027, at its Glen Rock location inside the Community Church of Glen Rock Education Building, 354 Rock Road. The event is a four-round Swiss tournament at G/110 with a 10-second delay and forms part of the US Chess Grand Prix program, with 20 points advertised.

The championship is for established players with a published rating of at least 1900 US Chess or 1800 FIDE. The event has a single Open section and uses FIDE ratings for pairings. All participants must hold a valid FIDE ID. Although the event is FIDE rated, FIDE title norms are not available.

The official announcement lists $2,300 in awards based on 30 entries, with a floor of 80% of the advertised prize amount. The prizes include overall places, FIDE rating-class awards and recognition for the top female player, an under-13 player and an over-55 player. Two half-point byes are available under the published notice requirements. Entry is available through ICA's Jumbula tournament registration service, while the academy's dedicated Glen Rock chess director handles inquiries.

🏆 ICA FIDE Championship — May 15–16, 2027

International Chess Academy hosts a separate May 15–16, 2027 ICA FIDE Championship at its Glen Rock site in the Community Church Education Building. The tournament is a four-round Swiss, using G/110 with a 10-second delay, with two rounds on each day. It is both FIDE Standard and US Chess rated; players must have a valid FIDE ID and a monthly published rating of at least 1900 US Chess or 1800 FIDE.

The event advertises $2,300 in prizes based on 30 entries, with a minimum 80% payout. It belongs to the US Chess Grand Prix series, awarding 20 Grand Prix points, but FIDE title norms are not available. Entry fees, bye deadlines and the official registration service are listed in the event's own regulations. This May competition is a distinct edition from ICA's January and March FIDE championships.

♟️ ICA U1900 Championship — March 21, 2027

The International Chess Academy will host a separate ICA U1900 Championship on Sunday, March 21, 2027, at its Glen Rock tournament venue in the Community Church Education Building, 354 Rock Road, New Jersey. This one-day competition offers a four-round Swiss format at G/30 with a five-second delay for players with a monthly published US Chess rating below 1900.

The organizer advertises $1,275 in cash prizes based on 40 entries, covering the top three positions, five rating classes, female players, juniors under 13 and players over 55. The March U1900 competition is distinct from the March 20–21 ICA FIDE Championship: it is US Chess rated, not FIDE rated, has a different time control and has separate entry conditions.