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 even friends:
“Can we meet our coaches in person?”
“Can we play over-the-board just like a real tournament?”
“Can we hang out with the other players outside of Zoom?”
Coaches also wanted to meet their students in person more often than at our monthly tournaments.
So in November, we finally came up with the perfect solution – and the response kind of blew us away.
Our First Real In-Person Combo Event
We reserved a room at the local library. The idea was simple but ambitious:
- A live webinar on a cool chess topic
- A short book reading and signing for our newly published book Audacity to Start
- A casual quad-style chess tournament
We also added a twist: a book donation drive to support a library in Africa. We ended the day with nearly 600 books collected!
The event was packed. Kids were engaged. Parents stayed the entire time. And the feedback we got was incredibly positive – so much that we booked the same space for the next three months in a row.
So… Why In-Person?
Here’s what we’ve learned:
- Zoom is awesome, but real-life energy is different (in a good way). When kids play face-to-face, it’s more engaging, more social, more memorable, and a whole lot more enjoyable.
- It’s a new way for volunteers to lead. Until now, almost every major event was run by just us four founders. With these local in-person sessions, we’re creating space for other volunteers to step up – whether it’s running a puzzle station, organizing pairings, or helping younger kids set up the boards and most importantly lead the webinars.
- It builds community. So many of our students recognize each other’s names from online classes but meet very rarely if not ever in person. These events make those connections ongoing and real.
From years of playing competitive chess, I’ve learned that in-person chess is the best way to improve your game. The same logic applies here not just for chess games, but lessons and fun too!
What’s Coming Next
We’re planning to host one in-person event every month, and we’re keeping them flexible and fun. Each session might include:
- A short teaching segment or demo by one of the founders
- Casual quads or blitz rounds
- Raffle prizes and mini awards (yes, we’ll have candy and trophies!)
- Opportunities for student volunteers to practice organizing and leading
We’ll share the event dates soon (👀 check the Events page), and we’re hoping more players – and families – can join us as this becomes a regular part of the Puddletown experience.
Online is great. But sometimes, chess just hits differently when the pieces are real, the clocks are ticking, and your opponent is sitting right across the table.
See you over the board!
