Why Just Practicing Isn’t Enough If you ask most chess players how they improve, you’ll hear the usual answers, play more games, solve puzzles, and watch videos. All of that definitely helps. We’ve done all of it too. But at one point, we noticed something strange. Some of our students were…
Teaching chess to kids is always a rewarding experience. But when working with neurodiverse learners, including kids with ADHD, autism, or different learning styles, the approach matters even more. Over time, one thing becomes clear: there isn’t a single “right way” to teach chess. What works best is creating an environment…
Some of my favorite chess memories aren’t just about the games I’ve played - they’re about the people I’ve met because of chess. That’s what made the Portland Premier League tournament so special to me. I had the chance to play 22 players at once in a simultaneous exhibition, and as…
September 2026: Puddletown 4th Anniversary Tournament Report Written by Ishaan Kodarapu What an incredible way to celebrate four years of Puddletown Chess! Our September tournament was our 4th Anniversary Chess Festival, bringing together 160 players, along with families, coaches, volunteers, friends, and members of our community. This tournament was about much…
One of the most powerful parts of chess isn’t winning; it’s what happens after a mistake. At tournaments and classes, we see it all the time. A player makes a move, pauses, and realizes something went wrong. Maybe a piece was left unprotected, or a tactic was missed. There’s a moment…
After organizing and running dozens of chess tournaments and classes, one pattern became very clear for our founders and coaches: many neurodiverse kids, including those with ADHD, autism, and different learning styles, naturally gravitate toward chess. Not because they are told to, but because something about the game simply clicks. One…
What an incredible day of chess! 105 players came together for our August 2026 tournament, filling the room with energy, excitement, and plenty of great games. It was wonderful to welcome familiar faces back to the board while also meeting so many new players and families. Throughout the day, we saw…
What a fantastic day of chess! We had nearly 130 players - a record for 2026! Our July 2026 tournament brought together another wonderful mix of returning families, first-time players, and plenty of exciting games. From nervous first moves to hard-fought final rounds, the tournament was filled with determination, sportsmanship, new…
https://youtu.be/7bm1jSEcVzo?si=Vt4JQl74SxmUg3xZ Hey everyone, I used to think leadership showed up in the big moments: giving a speech, launching an idea, winning a competition, or making an important decision. But some of my best leadership lessons came from the messy, practical work that happens behind the scenes. When I helped organize large…
https://youtu.be/kh2691RWFfo?si=GSqom7P_jSDgDIys Hey everyone, when I first thought about leadership, I imagined someone standing in front of a room, giving directions, and keeping everyone focused. But through student projects, clubs, and Puddletown Chess, I’ve learned that leadership is not about being in the same room. It is about creating clarity, trust, and…
https://youtu.be/-OJ2qry_DoU?si=XDQrfrW2EChuGLBG Hey everyone, when people talk about chess, they often describe it as a fair game. Everyone sits at the same board, follows the same rules, and starts with the same pieces. But through my work with Puddletown Chess, I’ve learned that access to chess is not always equal. Some students…
I want to recognize a few people who have made a huge impact on Puddletown Chess. Our program is successful because of the time and energy our coaches and volunteers give to our students, and these individuals have gone above and beyond. First, I wanted to recognize Vimal Adiraju. Vimal has…
Hey everyone, thank you for coming to this fun chess event! Believe it or not, Godfather’s Pizza was actually the birthplace of Puddletown! It’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown over the last 4 years! But the growth wasn’t always linear. Over the years, Puddletown has experienced changes I didn’t…
https://youtu.be/8RSbZ5x5nNw?si=7kc7XzFDpZLgJKqN Hey everyone, When we started our nonprofit, we had a simple goal: to make chess education better. As students ourselves, we saw a lot of problems with traditional chess programs. Many followed a one-size-fits-all approach. Some students were overwhelmed, others were bored, and too often learning felt passive instead of…
Many parents wonder when and how they should introduce chess to their child. This question becomes even more important when a child has ADHD, autism, or other learning differences. Parents often look for activities that help with focus, confidence, and problem-solving while still being enjoyable. Chess can be a great option…