It’s Never Just About the Chess If you ask most kids what they remember from our tournaments, you might expect answers like “my best game” or “winning a trophy.” But if we’re being honest… the most common answer is: “the pizza.” At first, that sounds kind of funny. But over time,…
Many parents and teachers talk about “executive function,” but it can sometimes feel like a complicated term. In simple words, executive function refers to the skills that help kids plan, focus, make decisions, and control impulses. These skills are important not just in school, but in everyday life. The challenge is…
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…
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,…
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…
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 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…
For most of Puddletown’s history, we’ve been an online-first nonprofit. Zoom training program, online tournaments, homework help, office hours, webinars - you name it, we’ve done it….virtually. And don’t get me wrong: it worked. But over time, we started hearing the same request again and again from students, parents, volunteers, and…
When we were first brainstorming names for our nonprofit more than 3 years ago, we had a lot of ideas. And I mean a lot. Some of them sounded like tech startups. Some sounded like chess clubs from the world of Harry Potter. And, weirdly enough, some of them included the…
All of us chess players have faced a problem at some point: Do I go for a draw (or accept a draw offer) against a higher-rated person if I know my position is better, and potentially even winning? This question is silently in everyone’s head, no matter how much you want…
At Puddletown, people often ask us: Why focus on certain groups of kids? Why make a special effort for girls and non-binary students, for kids from low-income families, or for kids growing up in rural communities? Isn’t chess supposed to be for everyone? It is supposed to be. But the reality…
Back when we first launched Puddletown, we had no idea we’d one day run 36+ webinars for chess players across the world. We just wanted to bring more people into our growing community - and maybe make it a little easier for beginners to level up. Fast forward to today, and…
Imagine this: you've traveled to St. Louis to play in one of the most prestigious youth events in the US, for your fourth year this time. The nine other girls in your section are among the top young female players, and you're all fighting for the $15,000 first prize. Imagine that…
Thanks to everyone who joined my recent webinar! We had a great time discussing some sharp ideas, practical tips, and common tournament rules. Here’s a quick summary of the most interesting questions from the Q&A, in case you missed it—or just want a refresher! Q: What are the benefits of commanding…
Hey Puddletown gang! If you’ve ever played in a Puddletown Chess tournament, you’ve probably heard us say, “Pairings are up!” before each round. But have you ever wondered how those pairings are made? Why do you sometimes play someone way stronger or way weaker than you? And why don’t you get…