Coach James
National Master and Top Tier Chess Coach
Hello chess players. My name is James Neal, and I’ve spent the last 20 years competing and coaching in the Iowa City area. Over the years of mastering chess and developing young minds, one of my proudest moments came a few years back helping a former Iowa (Illinois) student rise to master and become the top middle‑school chess player in the entire country (Champion of Champions) in 2024. By association, I was the greatest middle school coach in 2024, and I am now pursuing greatness in club building.
My long‑term goal is to build the strongest chess club in Iowa—and eventually one of the best in the nation—by sharing my enthusiasm and deep understanding with the kids in my community. If you’re an aspiring chess beast, you’ve just found a true diamond in the rough.
Welcome to the Thunder King Chess Club.