What is Rasberry Chess Academy?
The Rasberry Chess Academy (RCA) was founded in 2021 by Jonathan Rasberry in Montgomery, Alabama. The RCA is a chess education organization that primarily offers after-school classes at local elementary and middle schools but also hosts camps, directs scholastic tournaments, and teaches evening classes and private lessons.
Currently, the RCA teaches at over a dozen schools and other locations and has taught over 1,000 kids in their new-to-chess and intro-to-competition classes. Advanced students from all over the United States have been trained through the RCA’s online coaching platform by experienced coaches who have led many of these prodigies to state and national championships.
The RCA believes that chess enhances children’s problem-solving, decision-making, retention of complex concepts, and even socializing skills, among many other tangible benefits. It’s for this reason the RCA partners with the Montgomery City-County Public Library system to bring a free chess club to kids across the city, many of whom don’t have access to a school chess club. The RCA’s mission is to bolster these kids’ confidence and capabilities by training tomorrow’s thinkers, one move at a time.
Founder & Head Coach Jonathan Rasberry
Jonathan Rasberry is a husband and father who now makes chess teaching his full-time occupation! He has coached chess since 2015, leading multiple students to state scholastic championships. Two of his students have won a national girls’ team championship.
In 2021, Jonathan founded the Rasberry Chess Academy in Montgomery, Alabama. He teaches after-school classes, hosts camps, and directs regular scholastic chess tournaments.
Jonathan is a candidate chess master with a peak USCF rating of over 2100 and has won four Alabama state championships. He served as the president of the Alabama Chess Federation for three years. He helped organize and promote chess across Alabama, resulting in tremendous growth in tournament participation.
Jonathan is also an eagle scout, graduated from Troy University with a Masters in Accounting, and was licensed CPA (until jumping into chess!). When not working in chess, he loves playing with his son and spending any extra time (which isn’t much!) reading and playing tennis or golf.
Jonathan has a passion for chess and the benefits it brings to young minds who pursue it. He will continue growing chess locally, especially scholastic chess, with the aim to help train tomorrow’s thinkers, one move at a time.
Our Coaches
Our coaches are the heart of RCA. With a passion for teaching and a love for chess, they lead our school classes, camps, and tournaments, creating engaging, supportive environments where students can learn and grow. Whether introducing beginners to the basics or helping advanced players sharpen their skills, our coaches bring experience, energy, and excitement everyday. Meet our coaching team below!
Timothy Nelms
Timothy is one of RCA’s coaches at Saint James School and also teaches at Pike Road Elementary while being a full-time student at Auburn University, where he is majoring in chemical engineering. He hopes to pursue a career in the petroleum industry after graduation, but outside of academics, his greatest passion is chess. Timothy serves as the president of the Auburn University Chess Club and is a strong ambassador for the local chess community, organizing tournaments and encouraging student involvement on campus.
His hobbies include video games, card games, spending time with friends, and, of course, chess. As a coach, he’s driven by the joy and excitement chess brings to students, especially the younger generation.
Demetris Parker
Demetris is a busy coach teaching at Forest Avenue, Pike Road Intermediate, Saint Bede, Bear, and Faulkner. He brings a unique blend of discipline, strategy, and global perspective to his role. He served five years in the United States Air Force, where he developed strong leadership skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving, traits that align well with the strategic demands of chess.
After his military service, Demetris pursued a career in Aviation, traveling to 32 countries and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. His experiences have shaped his understanding of strategic thinking and adaptability, which he now shares with students as they develop their chess skills.
Raeden Selee
Raeden is a coach at Saint James School and is an Accounting major and Global Scholar at Troy University and is an active member of the Troy Men’s Club Volleyball team. Raeden plans to pursue his CPA license after graduation and begin a career in public accounting, where he hopes to combine his skills in strategy and problem-solving with his passion for helping others.
Outside of academics, Raeden enjoys staying active through volleyball, tennis, and rock climbing, as well as spending time with friends over board games. As a coach, he loves sharing his enthusiasm for strategic thinking and hopes to inspire kids to discover their own passions both inside and outside the classroom.
Brenden McNealy
Brenden McNealy coaches at Pike Road Intermediate School and Bear Exploration Center, where he brings a vibrant mix of experience and passion to his role. He has a record of creating inclusive programs that encourage students to lead, compete, and grow. From coordinating youth events to managing student clubs, Brenden focuses on building connections and ensuring that chess supports both educational goals and student interests.
Brenden enjoys playing chess and uses it as a tool to teach critical thinking, patience, and strategy. For him, chess is more than a game; it is a bridge for mentorship, confidence, and problem-solving. A graduate of Alabama State University, he began his career teaching STEM and workforce development programs to youth. These experiences shaped his enthusiasm, organizational skills, and student-centered approach, which he now brings to his chess clubs.
Junior Coaches
Some of our best coaches are youth ages 14-18! As junior coaches, they play an essential role assisting our adult coaches while gaining hands-on experience in leadership, teaching, and event management. From school classes to summer camps and tournaments, these young leaders help bring our programs to life. Meet our current junior coaches below!
Andrew Wales
Andrew Wales coaches at Trinity Presbyterian School and has been with Rasberry Chess Academy for the past since 2022. He learned chess at four years old and has remained active in clubs and tournaments across Alabama. Currently rated around 1500 USCF, Andrew was the 2022 and 2023 Dual-Rated State Champion for his rating and placed third in the 2023 State Scholastic Championship.
Outside of chess, Andrew is passionate about music and serves in the music ministry at Trinity Presbyterian Church. He also travels nationally for speech and debate tournaments through NCFCA. In his free time, he enjoys classic “chess nerd” hobbies like Solitaire, jigsaw puzzles, and listening to lectures. As a coach, Andrew values teaching logical thinking and connecting with students over a shared love for the game, which continues to motivate him.
Daniel Coon
Daniel is a hard-working and dedicated chess coach at Forest Avenue Elementary School. He enjoys having the opportunity to help the next generation of thinkers grow more capable and confident through chess. As a coach, Daniel aspires to grow and learn with his students while creating a positive and engaging learning environment.
Other than chess coaching, Daniel enjoys playing tennis. He has been on the varsity tennis team at his school, Brewbaker Tech, for three years and has served as the #1 seed and team captain for two. Daniel is also very competitive, and enjoys playing card, board, and video games of any kind.
Daniel values competitiveness, curiosity, and comradery, and hopes to pass down those values to the students he teaches.
Let’s Help You Think Two Moves Ahead!
Find a Chess Class
From beginner to expert level, find a private, group, or school class that fits your schedule and needs!
Join a Chess Tournament
Ready to challenge others with your chess skills? Chess tournaments are an amazing experience. Join us!