Puddletown Blog – Page 2 – Puddletown Chess

How to Introduce Chess to Kids With ADHD or Autism (A Parent’s Guide)

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…

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06/18/2026

Tournament Report

June 2026 Tournament Report

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…

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06/07/2026

Community / Education / Youth

A Playbook for Creating Your Own Nonprofit

If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about starting or supporting someone to start something. Maybe it’s a chess club, a tutoring group, a robotics team, or something completely different. We were in the exact same spot a few years ago, just kids with an idea, no real plan, and honestly……

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06/04/2026

Ishaan's Corner

Ishaan’s Corner #4: Chapter 2 – Birth of a Grand Vision

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.…

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06/03/2026

Ishaan's Corner

Ishaan’s Corner #3: Our Journey into Leadership – From Passion to Purpose

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…

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05/26/2026

Tournament Report

May 2026 Tournament Report

We loved our May 2026 tournament! This time, we crossed 100 players, with so many new faces joining us from all across Oregon. It was amazing to see our chess community keep growing - familiar families, first-time players, new friendships, and a whole lot of energy in the room. A huge…

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05/25/2026

Community / Education / Learnings / Youth

Is Chess Good for Kids With Autism? What Parents Should Know

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,…

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05/21/2026

Community / Education / Learnings / Training / Youth

Why Chess Is Great for Kids With ADHD (7 Surprising Benefits)

Many parents of children with ADHD spend years searching for activities that truly help their kids focus, build confidence, and enjoy learning. Some activities feel overwhelming. Others don’t hold attention long enough. But one activity consistently surprises families: Chess. At Puddletown Chess tournaments and training sessions, we’ve seen many kids with…

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05/07/2026

Community / Learnings / Tournaments / Training / Volunteers / Youth

Trust the Process: A State Champion’s Story

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…

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04/27/2026

Tournament Report

April 2026 Tournament Report

We loved our April 2026 tournament. Over 70 players. Many familiar families and a lot of new ones as well! A major shout-out to our dear volunteers who helped tirelessly throughout the day. Congrats to our following winners: Best Female Performance Award: Riana Paul, with a perfect score in the Open…

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04/05/2026

Community / Education / Training / Youth

Taking Chess to Rural Communities – Why It Matters

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…

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03/12/2026

Tournament Report

March 2026 Tournament Report

We really enjoyed our revived March 2026 tournament. Over 110 players. Many familiar families and a lot of new ones as well! We had many firsts at this tournament, including our chief TD Dave Murray, a new registration system, many new volunteers, more awards, new boards and clocks and lot more. …

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03/08/2026

Learnings / Sport / Volunteers

Why Real Leadership Starts With Solving Tiny Problems

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…

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02/26/2026

Ishaan's Corner

Ishaan’s Corner #2: 2026 February 16th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4PrRqAyR8c Hey everyone, I’ve got some wonderful news. After a one-month break, we are officially bringing back our in-person rated tournaments at Village Church… and I honestly could not be more excited. Sometimes you don’t realize how special something is until you pause for a second. And this past month reminded…

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02/19/2026

Ishaan's Corner

Ishaan’s Corner #1: 2026 January 23rd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMg_0uDCZIk&t=1s Hey everyone! I wanted to take a moment to talk with you about a leadership change at Puddletown. Zoey and Austin have recently decided to step away from Puddletown. It’s definitely a very sad moment for all of us, especially for me and Neev. All 4 of us worked very…

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02/19/2026