2024 SPRING - Training program

Puddletown is set to SPRING into our next training program, anticipating a season of transformative growth and learning.

NOTE: If you don’t know which level the player is at, please contact us at puddletownchess (at) gmail.com. We have placement tests to determine player’s level.

Level 2

Beginner
  • Weekly Zoom
  • Recommended for: Players with with very basic chess knowledge & interest
  • LEVEL 2 is for players who know basic rules of chess but have little/no tournament experience. During the term, students will start with a brief review of chess rules. The goal is for students to have a clear understanding of how to attack weak pieces/pawns and be familiar with common checkmate patterns.
    Goal => reach a USCF rating of 300
  • Homework -> Evaluation -> In-class Feedback
  • CLASS A
    Thursdays 5:00pm - 6:30pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/11, 04/18, 05/02, 05/09, 05/16, 05/30, 06/06

    Coach: Neha Narendran

    CLASS B
    Fridays 6:30pm - 8:00pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/05, 04/12, 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, 05/31

    Coach: Neev Kodarapu

Level 3

Intermediate
  • Weekly Zoom
  • Recommended for: Players with some prior chess knowledge
  • LEVEL 3 is for players who have graduated from our Level 2 program. Topics include but are not limited to: tactics, openings, basic middle game strategy, and abstract checkmate patterns. The goal of this program is to develop confidence to play competitive chess tournaments.
    Goal => reach a USCF rating of 700
  • Homework -> Evaluation -> In-class Feedback
  • CLASS A
    Fridays 6:30pm - 8:00pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/05, 04/12, 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, 05/31

    Coach: Ishaan Kodarapu

    CLASS B
    Wednesdays 5:30pm - 7:00pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/10, 04/17, 05/01, 05/08, 05/15, 05/29, 06/05

    Coach: Vimal Adiraju

Level 4

Advanced
  • Weekly Zoom
  • Recommended for: Experienced players in rated tournaments
  • LEVEL 4 is for players who have graduated from our Level 3 program. Topics include but are not limited to: various complex tactics, opening principles, deeper middle game strategy, pawn structures, and endgame techniques. Students will practice their skills in class with a master coach & play in rated tournaments.
    Goal => Reach a USCF rating of 1000
  • Homework -> Evaluation -> In-class Feedback
  • CLASS A
    Fridays 6:30pm - 8:00pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/05, 04/12, 04/26, 05/03, 05/10, 05/17, 05/31

    Coaches: FM Zoey Tang & CM Austin Tang

    CLASS B
    Sundays 6:30pm - 8:00pm Pacific Time
    SPRING Class Dates: 04/07, 04/14, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, 06/02

    Coaches: NM Ryan Min & Rishi Ramaswamy

Elite

USCF rating 1000-1600
  • Weekly Zoom
  • Recommended for: Experienced players with USCF 1000-1600 rating
  • The ELITE program is for advanced players who graduated from our Level 4 program or have equivalent play strength (USCF rating above 1000). The students are required to have basic knowledge of how to evaluate a position and know common theoretical endgames. The class will be focused on positional understanding of middle games and practical endgames.
    Goal => Compete at national level & reach USCF rating of 1600
  • Homework -> Evaluation -> In-class Feedback
  • Sundays 7:30pm - 8:30pm Pacific Time
  • SPRING Class Dates: 04/07, 04/14, 04/21, 04/28, 05/05, 05/12, 05/19, 05/26, 06/02, 06/09
  • Coach: IM Shantanu Bhambure