In an announcement posted on Facebook on 30/4, Le Quang Liem stated that his journey at Webster University had concluded. The university decided to terminate its chess program, which was affiliated with the Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE).

Webster University's chess program operated under the SPICE model, founded by Polgar. SPICE was established as an academy and high-performance chess training system, moving to Webster in 2012 and subsequently becoming the university's collegiate chess team. While the two terms were often used interchangeably, Webster's decision only ended the university's chess program, not the SPICE brand entirely. Some independent activities, such as the SPICE Cup tournament, will continue outside of Webster.

"After many meaningful years, my time at Webster University is coming to an end", Liem wrote. "I am proud of what we have built together".

Chess player Le Quang Liem (left) and Pham Tran Gia Phuc at the SPICE chess institute, Webster University, Missouri, US. Photo: Webster

Vietnam's top chess player served as the head coach of Webster's chess program since 2021, having previously been a key player for the team during his university studies there. Under Liem's tenure as both player and coach, Webster was a dominant force in US collegiate chess. However, since becoming Webster's chess coach, Liem had declined numerous invitations to elite tournaments due to scheduling conflicts, playing only a few tournaments each year.

From 2012 to 2026, Webster's chess teams secured two world championships, three Olympiad gold medals, and more than 90 national titles. In the US collegiate system, Webster consistently held the number 1 national ranking and regularly competed in the national championship.

The team also won or co-won 10 of 14 editions of the Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship, the most prestigious collegiate chess tournament in North America. They also claimed seven President’s Cups, a competition regarded as the "Final Four" of US collegiate chess.

Liem also expressed gratitude to those who laid the foundation for the program. He thanked former President Elizabeth Stroble, former Chairman Julian Schuster, the executive team, sponsors, and friends for contributing to Webster's success. The 35-year-old chess player did not mention the current Webster university leadership.

Liem also acknowledged female chess legend Susan Polgar and her husband Paul Truong, the founders of the SPICE program. "They have created a legacy in collegiate chess that will be difficult to replicate", he wrote.

Liem affirmed that he was most proud of the chess players themselves. More than 60 Webster alumni have graduated, including many grandmasters from around the world. According to him, their professionalism, work ethic, and ambition to reach the top defined the program's identity.

Despite his departure from Webster, Liem stated he remains eager for new opportunities, intending to continue coaching, competing, and contributing to chess.

Le Quang Liem in a game against Jobava in the second leg of the second round of the Chess World Cup in Goa, India on 5/11/2025. Photo: FIDE

Susan Polgar described this as a dramatic end to the most dominant program in history. She likened Webster's decision to leading US universities abruptly disbanding their traditional football or basketball teams. "That is almost unthinkable. Yet Webster did precisely that with the legendary SPICE chess program", Polgar wrote on social media platform X.

According to Polgar, just months before its termination, the Webster team had won its 10th Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship in 1/2026, competing against 86 other universities.

She emphasized that SPICE achieved more than all other US collegiate chess programs combined, despite operating on a significantly smaller budget than many rivals. Beyond its competitive titles, Webster was also the first US university to offer a chess minor program and maintained an average GPA of 3,5 among its students.

Polgar publicly criticized Webster's current leadership, headed by President Tim Keane, for handling the matter too abruptly. She stated that she was not contacted in advance, not offered the opportunity to fundraise to save the program, and only learned of the decision through Le Quang Liem on his final working day, 30/4/2026.

"If fully informed, we could have launched a national fundraising campaign to save the chess team", Polgar wrote. "This is a profound and unnecessary loss".

In her post, Polgar also praised Le Quang Liem, recalling that he helped Webster win four national championships as a student and two more titles as head coach.