CHESS this Sunday, January 23, 2022 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Once again there's more chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue, come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. through closing time at 8:00 p.m. to enjoy the game and good company! We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! There are no dues and there is no purchase requirement.

Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! By the way, it's become quite a challenge to be the first to solve the day's puzzle before Yancy does, as he has solved 3 out of the last 4 puzzles on his first try! (Along with Yancy during our session this past Wednesday were Matthew, Mike T., Tony T., Irakli, Sam, Setsal, Tom, and Maria.)

There's been renewed interest in having USCF-sanctioned rated matches. We can have those in our club. Let me know if you're beyond just interested, and we'll set them up!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday, Jan. 19th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

This past weekend's 13th Annual Golden State Open in Concord saw at least 10 or more players who frequented our chess club over this past year as well as during pre-pandemic times. Among players competing (and at least 3 or 4 were in the money! -- and there were wins, losses and draws for everyone, as no one got shut out!) were Enrico, Chris B., Ranen, Mike T., Bert, Morgan, Alwin, Eric, Carl N., and Jackie C., with visits from Yancy and Ronald!

It's a safe bet that more club players will plan on competing in next year's 14th Annual GS Open on the long Martin Luther King weekend at the Concord Plaza Hotel in Concord ! Overall it was fun, or at least quite the experience, and several of us certainly made some new friends.

Our club session takes place once again this Wednesday (tomorrow), January 19, 2022 at our usual Starbucks venue, at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA., just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. of Concord, CA.. However, should the Starbucks be closed for any reason, we simply meet at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant just across the parking lot!

As usual, players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We'll meet again for chess over the boards this Wednesday, January 12, 2022 at our usual Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time of 8:00 p.m. Players can come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some very nice company!

Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice! By the way, Yancy was the first to solve each of the last two puzzles on his first attempt!

Our club's subsequent session will be next Wednesday, Jan. 17th, instead of next Sunday due to the 13th Annual Golden State Open chess tournament in Concord this long Martin Luther King weekend coming up (Jan. 14-17)! However, for players not competing/playing in the tournament, there should be no problem playing at Starbucks strictly for funsies next Sunday.

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Sunday January 9, 2022 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone !

More than a dozen players lit it up the chess boards last Wednesday, with several having their sights on next weekend's 13th Annual Golden State chess tournament in Concord!

We also welcomed a player new to the club, but certainly not to chess as he was the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try! Welcoming Yancy were Herb, Tony, Morgan and Melissa, Alwin, Bert, Armen, Diego, Mike T., Ronald, Mark, Matthew, and Maria!

We meet again this Sunday, January 9, 2022, at our usual Starbucks venue located just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Valley Rd. of Concord, at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, California.

Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m. on through the closing time of 8:00 p.m; we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS at Starbucks Resumes this Wednesday, January 5, 2022!!

Hi Everyone!

Happy, Happier New Year 2022 to everyone as we resume our fun, challenging, over-the-board chess sessions this Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at our Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton (just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. & Clayton Rd., Concord, Calif.) !

Come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through the closing time of 8:00 p.m. Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Don't be surprised if some players are practicing for the upcoming 13th Annual Golden State Open Chess Tournament set for this month's long Martin Luther King weekend (Jan. 14-17, 2022) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord! There are several skill divisions in the tournament, from beginners to masters. Players can decide to play it over 4 days, 3 days, or even 2!! There's even a Blitz tournament included! If you need more info about it all, check the tournament out on line, or see me in person at our Starbucks venue.

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday, Dec. 29th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Despite the wet weather this past Sunday at least 9 or 10 players came by our regular Starbucks venue to enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards. Herb, Mike T., Ranen, Tony, Irakli, Olaf, Diego, Mike O. and Eric were there, and several tried to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first attempt, but alas, it was quite a tough nut to crack this time!

Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m. this Wednesday, December 29, 2021, for our last session of the year, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more matches, and some really nice company! Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice !

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

(Expect more players in the next few weeks before the 13th Golden State Open!)

See you soon. Have a great week and a happy New Year, 2022!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Dec. 23rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Holiday Greetings to all, and yes we've got a regular chess-over-the-boards session at our regular Starbucks venue this Wednesday, December 23, 2021!

Come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. until the closing time of 8:00 p.m. to get away from the shopping hubbub for a while, and to enjoy some good company -- players of all ages and skill levels -- and perhaps a surprise holiday treat or two!

Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Ranen has been the first to the solution on the first try a couple times recently, including this past Sunday... the next puzzle may have to be a checkmate in 3 moves instead of two! Other players having some chess fun last Sunday were Eric, Maria, Evan, Jaden, Irakli, Diego, Tony, and Mike T., with the latter two grinding it out for a good draw by closing time!

See you there if you're there, Happy Holidays again, and Happy New Year...!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Sunday Dec. 19 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Chess over the boards has been quite active these last few sessions, rain or shine ! While last Sunday's session saw more than a dozen players, this past chilly Wednesday saw at least a dozen players, including Eric, Evan, Tony, Mike T., Olaf, Tom, Sam, Diego, Miguel (welcome, Miguel!), Maria, and Ronald, with Marzia and Mikey O. having fun just watching from time to time!

We meet again this Sunday, December 19, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue, come by anytime between 3:00 p.m. and the closing time of 8:00 p.m., we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice)!

Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A602746

CHESS this Rainy Sunday Dec. 12 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's nothing like staying indoors on a rainy day and playing chess over the boards. If you can't do it in your abode this rainy Sunday, by all means come to our regular Starbucks venue anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through their 8:00 p.m. closing time to get your fun, challenging chess fix!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, and we're located just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. & Ygnacio Valley Rd, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA.

Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice !

See you there if you're there,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday December 8th!

Hi Everyone!

It was good to see Art and Sam again, Art (from surgery) and Sam (back from a long trip abroad), along with Evan, Eric, Diego, and Ranen, with Ranen thinking out loud through all candidate moves to arrive at the winning move to solve last Sunday's chess puzzle!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels as we meet again this Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. on through the closing time of 8:00 p.m., at our usual Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, CA, just on the border with Concord, CA.

Come early for the better tables and for more games, plus a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least a dozen players last Wednesday enjoyed an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards once again at our regular venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass, Clayton, CA, which is just a couple of driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord, CA.

We also welcomed Eric and Lori to the club! There to welcome them were Tony, Mike T, Diego, Irakli, Evan, Suhas and his Dad, and Ronald, Morgan, Andrew, and John S!

We meet again at the same venue this Sunday, December 5, 2021. Come by anytime between 3:00 p.m. through closing time of 8:00 p.m. for as much fun, challenging chess over the boards that you want! Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters. See you soon!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Sunday November 28 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Last Wednesday's chess session at our usual Starbucks venue was a lot of fun, featuring classic chess, blitz games, and even some chess lessons and puzzle solving! There for the challenge of chess over the boards were Evan, Jeremiah, Tony, Mike T., Ronald, and Andrew. Not a bad showing for the day before Thanksgiving, and most of us continued into the late evening at the Carl's Jr. across the parking lot!

There's more chess over the boards again this Sunday at our Starbucks venue! Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m., the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice company. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels. Players there early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Nov. 24 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We will have our usual fun session of chess over the boards this Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Get your chess fix in anytime from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.and then have a fine, happy Thanksgiving Day this Thursday! Players arriving early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Sunday Nov. 21st at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone ... !

There's more chess over the boards this Sunday, November 21, 2021 at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord!

Come by anytime after 2:00 p.m. Players who arrive early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try ("touch-move!") to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Several players came by last Wednesday, and we also welcomed Ivan! There for the fun and challenge of it all with Ivan were Bert, Tony, Setsal, Evan, Diego, and Ranen. It was also quite nice to meet Alexei and his daughter Mira! We won't see Setsal for a couple of months, as we wish him bon voyage, a safe and happy trip across two continents and an ocean and back!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday, Nov. 10th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Come by anytime from 2:00 p.m. on for fun, challenging chess over the boards this Wednesday afternoon, November 10, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue! We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., Concord, CA.

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Players arriving early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try (touch move!) to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice ! Setsal solved last Sunday's puzzle, by the way, as we enjoyed the afternoon with him along with Art, Tony, Ranen, Evan, Haseeb, Chris B., Irakli, and Mike T. Come by early, if you can, for the puzzle, and for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice company!

There are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Though it's mainly social, coffeehouse chess, from bullet, blitz and rapid to classic chess games, don't be surprised to see some players practicing for upcoming local club and regional tournaments (e.g., January 2022's 13th Annual Golden Gate Open in Concord, Calif.).

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746