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…
We loved our June 2026 tournament! Our June 2026 tournament was another fantastic day of chess, community, and learning. We were excited to welcome both longtime Puddletown families and many first-time participants from around Oregon. From the opening round to the final games, the room was buzzing with focus, sportsmanship, and…
https://youtu.be/TVxoXRy-pwQ?si=tyD-9Y7-gVyKpXv7 Hey everyone, When COVID-19 shut down schools, sports, and activities, my routine disappeared overnight. As someone who loved staying busy, it was a huge adjustment. Chess became my outlet, and I spent countless hours competing online and improving my game. But I missed the energy and connection of playing face-to-face.…
https://youtu.be/wjnsdgdL22g?si=KtpU9Wje6rNo01MI Hey everyone, My journey began quietly in a kindergarten after-school chess program. At first, chess was just a fun challenge, but over time, it taught me patience, focus, strategy, and resilience. Chess soon became part of our family life. My brother Neev started almost by accident at one of my…
Many parents of children with autism spend a lot of time searching for activities that help their kids feel comfortable, confident, and engaged. Some activities rely heavily on fast reactions or complicated social interactions, which oftentimes make students feel overwhelmed. Chess is different. The rules are clear, the board never changes,…
A Quick Note from Ishaan Every once in a while, someone in our community reminds us what consistent effort, the right mindset, and love for the game can really lead to. Hayul is one of those people. He’s not just an incredibly strong player, he’s also one of our coaches and…
When people hear the word “chess,” they often picture big tournaments in city libraries or fancy schools with high ceilings and bright lights (trust me, I can relate). But what about kids in small towns who’ve never been to a big city chess club? What if the closest tournament is three…
When people think of leadership, they usually imagine big things - starting a company, leading a team, giving a TED Talk. But for us, that’s not how it began. Real leadership didn’t start with a boardroom or a title. It started with figuring out who would load the chessboards into the…