I wouldn't have used that particular recipe if I'd clued in that it said "curry powder", because I try not to use that stuff. But, I knew straight chili powder wouldn't work.
I ended up using chili powder (because I'd already put it in when I realized it wasn't what the recipe called for) and turmeric, garam masala, ground ginger, ground coriander, a bay leaf, and a small sprinkle each of cinnamon and cloves. I never did add any cumin, but I think my chili powder had enough.
DH, ds1 and I all liked it...dd1 and ds2, not so much, but I expected that. I'll make it again, but I'm going to up the heat (either add a slit pepper, or a hotter chili powder). I'm also going to add a cinnamon stick, a couple cloves, some cardamom pods, and maybe some whole coriander at the beginning, when I'm cooking the onion.
But, it was good. It would just be a bit better with some tweaking, imo.