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…
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…
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…
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…
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…