Yesterday, we had the incredible opportunity to be part of the OSCF Co-Ed State Team Championship in Portland, Oregon! This unique annual event, organized by the Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation (OSCF), brought together teams from across the state to compete in a one-of-a-kind format—each team could have a maximum of three boys and two girls. This setup ensures a balanced competition while encouraging more girls to participate in chess.
Because of the tournament’s size and popularity, it was held at the Oregon Convention Center, a beautiful, spacious venue that could accommodate the large number of players, parents, coaches, and spectators. However, organizing an event of this scale comes with significant costs, from securing the venue to providing tournament equipment and awards. To help make this tournament possible and more accessible for everyone, we proudly donated a significant amount to support the event’s expenses.
Our contribution was publicly acknowledged by the OSCF organizers, and it was rewarding to see the impact it made. The donation not only helped cover event costs but also played a role in encouraging more girls to join the competition. Seeing so many young female players confidently making their moves on the board was inspiring. Chess has traditionally been a male-dominated game, but events like this are helping change that narrative.
A Day of Exciting Chess Matches
The energy in the tournament hall was electric. Dozens of teams, each made up of talented and determined young players, competed in intense rounds of chess. Every move on the board mattered as players carefully planned their strategies, fought for key positions, and worked together to secure victories for their teams.
One of the most exciting aspects of this tournament was teamwork—although chess is often seen as an individual game, this event proved that it can also be a team effort. Players supported each other, analyzed games together, and celebrated each hard-earned win. The unique co-ed format also led to some exciting team dynamics, as players of all backgrounds and skill levels came together to compete for the championship title.
Connecting with the Chess Community
In addition to supporting the tournament financially, we set up a small booth at the event, giving us the opportunity to connect with players, parents, and coaches. It was great to see so many familiar faces and also meet new members of the Oregon chess community.
At the booth, we shared information about our training programs, upcoming tournaments, and online webinars. We had many great conversations with young players eager to improve their skills and parents looking for ways to support their children’s chess journeys. It’s always exciting to introduce more people to what we do and to see the enthusiasm for chess continue to grow.
Looking Ahead
Overall, the OSCF Co-Ed State Team Championship was an incredible experience. The tournament highlighted the power of chess to bring people together, encourage strategic thinking, and build confidence—especially among young players.
Puddletown is proud to have played a role in making this event possible, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s championship. Huge thanks to OSCF for their dedication to scholastic chess, to the volunteers who made the event run smoothly, and most importantly, to the players who competed with passion and determination.If you’re interested in improving your chess skills, joining future tournaments, or being part of an amazing chess community, be sure to check out our upcoming events and training programs. Let’s keep making chess accessible, exciting, and fun for everyone!
