IAOTP names James Eade most influential leader in addiction recovery

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor James Eade at its annual gala in New York City in December for his work in addiction recovery and his broader leadership in chess and philanthropy. The award spotlights Eade’s recovery advocacy alongside his long career leading chess organizations and publishing books on both chess and recovery.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s recognition puts addiction recovery advocacy alongside Eade’s long record in chess leadership and publishing. - The award highlights efforts to reduce stigma around addiction and promote recovery as achievable for individuals and families. - Eade’s platform reaches beyond recovery through chess education, nonprofit work, and community-building.

What happened: - IAOTP selected James Eade as its Most Influential Leader in Addiction Recovery for 2026. - The honor will be presented at IAOTP’s Annual Awards Gala in December at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. - IAOTP said the award recognizes Eade’s leadership, advocacy, dedication and commitment to addiction recovery.

The details: - Eade is founder, president and CEO of the Eade Foundation, a nonprofit focused on building communities through chess. - The foundation works to expand chess literacy and notation and provides chess sets and boards to people who cannot afford them. - Eade founded the organization shortly after his father died. - His message around chess emphasizes enjoyment, encouragement and striving to “be the best you can be, not the best ever.” - Eade has held leadership roles including president of the Chess Journalists of America, president of CalChess, president of the Kolty Chess for Youth Federation, chairman of the Chess Advisory Board at the University of Texas at Dallas, American Zone president of FIDE and delegate for the United States Chess Federation. - Eade has served as a trustee of the U.S. Chess Trust since 2000 and as president from 2010 to 2019. - Eade wrote several chess books, including Chess for Dummies, The Chess Player’s Bible: Illustrated Strategies for Staying Ahead of the Game and Chess Openings for Dummies. - Eade wrote Freedom: Your Path to Recovery in 2023 and later released No Blame, No Shame. - Eade’s recovery book says, “Addiction does not have to be your master or your destiny.” - Eade also worked as a freelance producer for IBMTV and as a director-level and senior systems programmer for Charles Schwab. - His background includes a B.A. in history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an M.A. in human resource management from the University of San Francisco. - Eade has received multiple honors, including Chess Educator of the Year from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2016, an Outstanding Career Achievement Award from the United States Chess Federation in 2018, a Best Chess Website award from the Chess Journalists of America and the Distinguished Worldwide Humanitarian Award in 2022.

Between the lines: - IAOTP is using the award to connect professional recognition with social impact work. - Eade’s portfolio shows a rare mix of chess authority, nonprofit leadership and recovery advocacy. - The release frames chess as both an educational tool and a community-building channel for broader service work.

What's next: - Eade is expected to receive the honor at IAOTP’s December gala in New York City. - He said he remains committed to empowering others through chess, writing and addiction recovery. - More information is available here and here.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is recognizing James Eade for a career that spans chess leadership, authorship and addiction recovery advocacy, with the gala award set for December in New York.