Ishaan’s Corner

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 I walked (ran to…

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 in-person events, I saw how…

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 momentum, even when people are…

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 have coaches, tournament experience, transportation,…

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 been with us since…

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 expect. We have had…