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 hundreds of kids each week 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 five 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 two kids 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!
Demetris Parker
Demetris is a busy coach teaching at Forest Avenue, Pike Road Intermediate, and Saint Bede. 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.
Rishad Israil
Rishad coaches at Forest Avenue, Trinity, Holy Spirit Elementary, and Pike Road Elementary Schools. He is a college-student at Auburn University in Montgomery studying computer science and cybersecurity. He was introduced to chess through an after-school program when he was young and has enjoyed playing the game since then. He likes the cognitive, challenging experience that chess provides to people and values it as a pastime to teach to others. He also appreciates that it is simply a fun way to spend time with other people.
Other hobbies he enjoys besides chess are reading literature, staying active with exercise, and playing card games. He look forward to helping students further learn and develop, as they generate their own clever insights about chess.
Luke Roehm
Luke is a chess coach at Bear Exploration Center, Forest Avenue, and Pike Road Intermediate School. What started as a kid’s fascination with pieces, puzzles, and planning ahead grew into a lasting passion he now shares with students at Rasberry Chess Academy.
By day, Luke builds software with a focus on practical, people-centered tools. He brings that same patient, structured approach into the classroom, helping young players gain confidence, focus, sportsmanship, and problem-solving skills they can use on and off the board. When he isn’t coding or coaching, Luke is happiest spending time with his family and helping RCA train tomorrow’s thinkers, one move at a time.
Christina Lim
Christina is a chess coach at Trinity Presbyterian School and a student at Auburn University studying interior design. Introduced to the game by her grandfather when she was little, she loves how chess teaches thoughtful decision-making, creative problem-solving, and evaluating options, lessons that naturally extend beyond the board into everyday life.
Drawing on her background as a golf instructor, Christina brings an engaging and approachable teaching style into the classroom with Rasberry Chess Academy. She focuses on creating an encouraging environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, trying new strategies, and learning from mistakes. Outside of coaching, Christina stays active playing golf and tennis, designing, and helping young players build confidence one move at a time.
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!
Ethan Burke
Ethan is a chess coach at Saint James School and The Montgomery Academy. A curious and determined problem-solver, his passion for technology and strategy led him from coding in Python and C to exploring complex logic puzzles and speed-solving Rubik's Cubes, achieving a personal best of 45 seconds on the 3×3.
By day, Ethan brings that same enthusiasm for discovering how things work into the classroom with Rasberry Chess Academy. He enjoys helping young players sharpen their strategic thinking, embrace new challenges, and build confidence through friendly competition. When he isn’t at the chessboard, Ethan enjoys running, video games, board games with family, and bringing his curiosity and drive to training tomorrow’s thinkers.
Connor Berreckman
Connor is the junior coach at Pike Road Elementary school. He has been playing chess for five years and enjoys all the various concepts and challenges it has to offer. He thinks that chess is more than a game, but a powerful learning tool for teaching focus, patience, and problem solving skills.
Connor loves sharing his passion with students at Pike Road Elementary, guiding them as they sharpen their critical thinking skills, embrace friendly competition, and learn the ultimate game of strategy.
Hayden Dial
Hayden is excited to be a new Junior Coach with Rasberry Chess, teaching at Bear Exploration Center. To him, chess is more than a game. It is a sport that helps one improve problem solving and strategizing. While he is still relatively new to the game, he enjoys the strategy, logic, and critical thinking that is required to play chess.
As the eldest child in his family, he has a lot of experience working with children. He takes pleasure in teaching the fundamentals and building a strong foundation, while making it genuinely fun. He looks forward to his own personal growth in chess as well as building relationships with the students and encouraging them in their chess journey.
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!