JAMES ABDUL

James grew up in Uzbekistan and studied English literature at the University of Istanbul in Turkey. He also has a master's degree in economics from Uzbekistan. After an extensive career in marketing and sales, James discovered his true professional passion in the field of real estate valuation, which he practices in Massachusetts. 

​

Playing and teaching chess has always been his passion. In 2011, his student won a bronze medal at the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil; she now is a top player in the US Women’s National Team! James has written extensively about chess and interviewed top players. He taught chess for Golden Key Enrichment starting in 2014, then moved to New Hampshire, but has continued teaching chess online since then. 

​

Now back in 2023, James is excited to share his love of chess, its history, and modern personalities with his students. Beyond chess, he has interests in journalism, languages (he speaks four fluently), and literature. James is working on his first novel.