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What is the 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 online classes and private lessons.
Currently, the RCA teaches at eight schools 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 are 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. Over 1000 kids have come through the academy and currently Rasberry Chess Academy is located in 8 schools.
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 over 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 three-year-old 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.
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!
TJ Weaver
TJ is the current head coach at Bear Exploration Center. An outdoorsman, martial artist, and member of Morningview Baptist Church, TJ is committed to physical, mental, and spiritual discipline.
A firm believer in diversifying skill sets, he began studying chess as an adult and soon started teaching it—not only to reinforce his own learning but also as a way to practice patience, diligence, and give back by positively influencing others.
As a husband and father of three, he finds his greatest joy in spending time with his family. Professionally, TJ works as a cardiac nurse, where he dedicates himself to caring for individuals with heart conditions and collaborating with his team to save the lives of those experiencing life-threatening heart attacks. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, camping, and practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Timothy Nelms
Timothy is one of RCA’s coaches at Saint James School and is 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 one of RCA's current coaches at Montgomery Academy. 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.
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 Forest Avenue Elementary School and has been with Rasberry Chess Academy for the past three years. 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 class 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 and inspire him.
Christian Otey
Christian teaches at Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School and brings a strong passion for education to his role at RCA. He enjoys helping students grow both academically and personally, and values the opportunity to guide them in developing confidence, curiosity, and resilience. As a coach, Christian finds joy in learning alongside his students and fostering a supportive classroom environment.
Beyond teaching, Christian loves speech and debate, weightlifting, and journaling. He believes chess is a powerful tool for building critical thinking and patience. Watching students challenge themselves and each other makes the coaching experience incredibly meaningful and rewarding.
Conlan Hall
Conlan is one of RCA’s chess coaches who primarily teaches at Pike Road Elementary School. With a strong passion for both chess and science, particularly chemistry, Conlan is dedicated to creating an engaging and supportive environment where students can explore and grow, just as he did when he first discovered the game.
Grateful for the opportunity to work with budding young talent, Conlan values the chance to give back through teaching. Coaching with RCA allows him to make a meaningful impact and offer the kind of guidance he was seeking as a young player. What motivates him most is the hope that his love for chess will inspire the next generation.
Conlan is proud of his peak online rating of 1750 and looks forward to helping each student reach their full potential.
Hao Nguyen
Hao is a passionate young chess coach at Bear Exploration Center and the president of the AUM Chess Club. With a strong love for strategy and problem-solving, Hao finds joy in helping students grow—both in their gameplay and in their confidence. He believes that chess is more than a game; it's a tool for developing focus, resilience, and creative thinking.
Outside of chess, Hao is majoring in engineering and actively trains in martial arts, combining analytical thinking with discipline and physical awareness. This unique blend of interests brings a fresh and well-rounded perspective to his coaching. Hao’s ultimate goal is to make chess fun, rewarding, and accessible to all students.
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