Jay-El Shepherd II

Jay-El has played chess since the age of five, though it wasn’t till he was nearly 16 that he played in his first over-the-board tournament. Two years after that, as a high school senior, he won the 2016 Alabama State Scholastic Chess Championship with a score of 4/4, earning him a trip to represent Alabama in the Denker Tournament of High School Champions.

Beyond chess, Jay-El has a deep wonder for the universe around him, and he is passionate about understanding human nature and appreciating diverse cultures. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Western Governors University, as well as a Certificate in Mediation and Dispute Resolution from the University of Texas at Dallas.

As a coach, Jay-El grounds his lessons firmly in reality, empowering his students to face the game with maturity and strength. He specializes in helping players overcome the emotional and psychological challenges that accompany high-level competition. While he enjoys teaching chess to students of all levels, his guidance is especially beneficial for those rated from 1200-1800.