We decided to dedicate our 2025 June tournament theme to the people who make Puddletown way more than just a place to play chess. The ones who show up early, stay late, support our mistakes, cheer on our wins, and honestly believe in us even when we blunder five moves in a row.
I’m talking about our coaches. Not just the official ones, but the community coaches.
These are the grown-ups (and sometimes even older teensstudents) who give their time, their energy, and their knowledge to help younger players get better. Many of them have been doing this for years. Some of them drive hours to get here. And almost all of them do it because they love the game—and they love sharing that with us.
Here are just a few of the coaches we recognized this month:
Coach Allan Bogle – You’ve probably seen him at nearly every event, not just coaching his son Jack but encouraging whole school teams to come out. He’s always smiling and talking to new families. Allan helped build this community from day one.
Coach Andrew Rakestraw – Known for his game analysis (it’s honestly amazing), Coach Andrew has helped so many kids understand how to think about chess, not just play it. His students are some of the most passionate, and he brought many of them into Puddletown.
Coach Chuck Schulien – Or as we call him, Coach Chuck. He’s coached hundreds of Oregon players over the years, including Coach Andrew. Full circle moment! His calm style and deep understanding make him one of the most respected coaches around here.
Coach Kevin from Sherman County – You can’t miss the yellow school bus! Coach Kevin brings 30+ students to some of our tournaments, driving nearly two hours each way. That’s not just dedication—it’s heart.
Coach Larry Ball – Honestly, it’s hard to describe Coach Larry without just calling him legendary. He’s been with us since the early days, written about us, spread the word in his city, and even drives to students’ homes to coach them in person.
These are just five names, but they represent so many others who help Puddletown feel more like a community than just a chess club.
So to all our coaches—thank you. For believing in us. For helping us grow. For showing us that improvement isn’t just about rating—it’s about kindness, consistency, and showing up.
You make this place special.
