April 6th marked a momentous day for chess enthusiasts as we hosted our 2024 April tournament at Puddletown Chess. This month’s Oceanic Gala not only brought together a diverse crowd of over 300 players and their families but also saw a flurry of records shattered, setting new milestones for our thriving chess community.
As one of the co-founders of Puddletown Chess, and a high-school student deeply embedded in both active chess play and the overall chess community, I’m thrilled to share the outstanding achievements and highlights from this incredible day.
Culinary Checkmates: A Pizza Record
Let’s start with a fun fact: we ordered a record-breaking 26 pizzas! This was necessary to cater to the enormous crowd of kids and adults alike, ensuring everyone had the fuel needed to strategize and compete.
Coaching Corner: A Gathering of Minds
We were honored to have five professional and school chess coaches join us, including Larry Ball, Tammy, Kevin (our loyal coach from Sherman County, Oregon), Allan, and Andrew, a new private coach. Their presence added a layer of expertise and encouragement, boosting the confidence of our players.
Diverse Player Base
The tournament marked a new record also for out-of-area players from places like Seattle, Sherman Country, Salem, Bend, and other regions. This diverse influx highlights Puddletown’s growing reputation as a prime destination for competitive chess.
Volunteer Vanguards
A big shoutout goes to the seven dedicated volunteers who donned official badges and helped everything run smoothly – from serving hundreds of pizza slices, to monitoring the tournament area carefully. Their dedication was crucial in managing the logistics of such a large event.
Promoting Inclusivity
We achieved a record attendance of 33 girls, nearly a third of all participants. Additionally, we welcomed nine low-income players and provided free entry to 45 total competitors. These initiatives are part of our commitment to making chess accessible and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their economic background.
New and Notable
A special mention goes to the debut players. This tournament was a first for many, as indicated by our check on unrated players in the USCF rating report. It was heartwarming to witness the start of 20 new players’ chess journeys.
Family Affair
The event also set a new record for the number of player families involved, with 13 multi-player families participating, including a memorable father-daughter duo playing in their first tournament together as a family. This participation underscores the family-friendly environment we strive to cultivate at Puddletown Chess.
Record-Breaking Attendance
Finally, we reached a peak with 113 players competing. The sheer number required us to set up additional tables, accommodating the largest assembly of players we’ve seen since our inception about 18 months ago.
As we wrap up another successful tournament, the records broken are not just numbers—they are stories of passion, dedication, and community. They inspire us to push boundaries and continue enriching the chess culture in Oregon and beyond. We look forward to even greater achievements and hope to see many new and familiar faces at our next event. Thank you to everyone who made this tournament a historic day for our community!
