CHESS this Wednesday, June 7th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Just a shorter note this time, to welcome new players young Angel, and Roman's bro Aaron to the club! Along with Roman, Angel, and Angel's Dad were Mike T., Tony, Fordy, Yancy, Kevin, Olaf, and Mark M. enjoying an afternoon of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue last Sunday!.

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, come and go anytime, no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink!

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 31st at Starbucks!

Hello!

Despite the long Memorial Holiday weekend, this past Sunday saw at least a dozen players enjoy the challenge and fun of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue! There to welcome Dhara, our newest player, to the club were Tony, Juliana, Meredith, Nancy, Red, Jordy, Myles, Mike T., Sam S., and Rafael . . . !

We meet again this Wednesday, May 31, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, same place, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins 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, May 28th at Starbucks!

Hello!

It's our long Memorial Day weekend! If you're in the area and would like to enjoy an afternoon and even an early evening of fun, challenging chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue this Sunday, May 28, 2023, by all means come on by! We're there from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time! We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, come and go anytime, there are no dues, there's not even a purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place (Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from Concord's corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.).

Last Wednesday saw about a couple dozen players and supporters enjoy the game of chess: First timers Reuben, Sochie, Mark, and Luis were welcomed and made many new friends! It sure was fun to see young Zachary and Sammy, two of Ronald and my chess students, along with their grandparents Igor and Zhanna! Not to be out done were young gamers Ian and JJ, along with mom Paige! And there was Meredith, a graduating senior from Clayton Valley High, congratulations! Certainly on hand to enjoy the company and all that chess has to offer were Hossam, Red, Matthew, Nando, Bert, Mike S., Tony, Ben, Angel, and of course, Mike T.!

That's it, come on by, make new friends, renew old friendships, play chess! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 24th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Well more than a dozen players enjoyed the afternoon and early evening of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue! It was so nice to see Keko there with Ona, and that chess masters Ronald and Manny were there too, along with Mike T., Farbod, Reza, Ron, Tony, Kevin, Meredith, Balraj, Yancy, Red, Olaf, and new player Leo!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Concord's Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and players can come and go anytime. There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice (no player was able to solve last Sunday's puzzle on the first try).

So then, the weather's just fine, come on by and enjoy the game of chess over the boards, make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon.

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

CHESS this Sunday, May 21st at Starbucks!

Hello!

It's going to be quite a nice day for chess over the boards this Sunday, May 21, 2023 at our usual Starbucks venue!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. through closing time at our Starbucks (1536 Kirker Pass Rd, in the Clayton Shopping Center). We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try gets a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Our session last Wednesday saw most players enjoying chess in the shade outside of Starbucks! Having fun with chess that day were Farbod, Tony, Red, Mike T., Bert, Samuel, Matthew, Adrian, Yancy, Irakli, Ian (who solved the puzzle!), and FIDE Master Rich K.!

So then, come on by, enjoy the fun and challenge of the game of chess, make new friends, and renew old friendships!

See you there,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 17th at Starbucks!

Hello!

It's always so nice to have new players join us and see them interact with our regular players as well as those who come by time to time, and those who return after a long absence from the chess-over-the-boards scene at our usual Starbucks venue!

We continue to meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3pm through to closing time, with players coming and going anytime. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve: first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday's session, despite the observance of Mother's Day, saw about 10 players enjoy the afternoon of fun, challenging chess! There to welcome new players Samuel and Jordy were Farbod, Chris N., Red. Kevin, Tony, Mike T., Keko, and -- long time no see -- David T.! We certainly can't predict the number of players who will come by for chess, whether it be on a Sunday or Wednesday afternoon: it could be six, or twenty-six or more! So then, see you soon or when you can make it! Here's to making new friends, and renewing old friendships!

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

Hello!

It's Mother's Day this Sunday, May 14th, and if you have the opportunity to join in the fun and challenge of chess over the boards later in the day, we meet as usual from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, players come and go anytime, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one who solves it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink!

If anyone noticed that I wasn't around much the last two sessions, it was only because I got jammed with certain pollen allergies that turned into a nasty case of sinusitis (and that's all it was, per tests and visit to doctor's office). So then, here's looking forward to seeing many of you this Sunday or whenever you can make it to our regular sessions!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 10th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Just a short note to say we meet once again this Wednesday afternoon, May 10, 2023, at our usual Starbucks venue for fun, challenging chess over the boards! The first one to solve a certain chess puzzle on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. All ages and skill levels are welcome; come and go as you wish, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Last Sunday, we welcomed yet another new player to the club. On hand to welcome Luis (and wife Ona) to the club were Tony, Mike T., Kevin, Sam N., Suhas and his Dad, and Yancy (who solved that day's chess puzzle on his first try)!

If you're up for USCF-rated Quads competition next Sunday and Wednesday, let me know.

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, May 7th at Starbucks!

Hello!

There's chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at our usual Starbucks venue, from 3:00 pm on through closing time! We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). This Sunday, May 7th, is no exception, and we can expect to see more new players! There's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with a free tall Starbucks drink for the one who is the first to solve it on the first try!

Last Wednesday's session saw about a dozen players, and we welcomed our newest player, Ben, to the club! There to welcome him were Maria, Mike T., Mike S., Bert, Tony, Sam C., Irakli, Manuel, Ernie, and Yancy (who, once again, solved the day's chess puzzle on the first try!). Did I miss anyone?

For those interested in rated competition (especially those who still have provisional ratings), on either or both Sundays, May 14 and 21, 2023, we can have USCF-rated Quads, to be played over 2 sessions at either Starbucks or Carl's Jr (which is just across the side parking lot from Starbucks). These matches would also be good matches for those planning to compete in the Las Vegas Chess Festival this coming June! For our Quads, Time Control=G/45;d10. EF=$15. Starting time: 2:00 p.m. 1st Place=$30; 2nd Place=$25. Let me know if you're up for this, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hello!

There's lots of chess over the boards this Wednesday afternoon, May 3, 2023 from 3pm on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the Concord corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place! We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, there is no purchase requirement, and there's usually a chess puzzle to see who will be the first player to solve it on the first try, to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday several players enjoyed the afternoon of chess, and we also concluded our club's April fun, USCF-rated tournament. There for the games were Ohm and his family, along with Myles, Juliana, Kevin, Tony, Mike T., Red, Sam C., Jay, Vin, Vin Sr., and Roman!

Our USCF-rated club tournament concluded with Red once again taking 1st Place (and it's noted that he has won two club tournaments in a row, having now won 7 straight USCF-rated matches! Coming in a clear 2nd was Tony T., and tied for 3rd Place were Matthew and Trenton!

Our next club tournament may be for 3 rounds or matches, either in Quads or groups of six, all scheduled for Sunday, May 14, 2023, same time control (G/45;d10), with a first match starting time of 11:00 a.m. and an Entry Fee of only $25 (as, usual, at least 90% of entry frees are returned as cash prizes). Let me know if you're up for it! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 26th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Our regular session once again meets this coming Wednesday, April 26, 2023 for fun, challenging chess over the boards!

This past Sunday's USCF-rated 4-round club tournament is underway, to possibly be completed this Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at our usual Starbucks venue (or tournament players may decide to play their matches at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from Starbucks). So far, Red, Tony, and Trenton each have 2 wins, and Matthew has 1; and at stake are: 1st Place = $67; 2nd Place = $56; and, 3rd Place = $45. (As usual, more than 90% of entry fees are returned as cash prizes, with the balance going toward recent nominal local and USCF admin costs).

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at our usual Starbucks venue, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required. For this coming Wednesday, however, those players competing in the USCF-rated tourney in progress for cash prizes may actually start their matches as early as 2:30 p.m. All other players are welcome to observe, and certainly to play chess with others who are not in USCF-rated matches.

Our next USCF-rated club competition will be on Sunday, May 14th! More details to follow, and if you have any questions or need more info, just let me know, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Friday & Sunday, April 21st and 23rd at Starbucks!

Hello!

Just a quick reminder that we can enjoy chess over the boards this Friday, April 21, 2023 at our usual Starbucks venue from 4:30 p.m. on through closing time. This is for this Friday only, as we continue to meet on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons.

We also have our USCF-rated club tournament this Sunday, April 23, 2023, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant which is just across the side parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue. For details of the tournament, please check the Upcoming Club Tournaments page. At least half a dozen players so far have committed to competing in this Sunday's 1st two rounds, with subsequent rounds to be played on either or both the following Wednesday or Sunday, depending on agreed upon date and timelines between players and the Tournament Director, to accommodate personal work schedules. Those not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe and may play chess there or at Starbucks with others who are also not in the competition.

This past Wednesday's session saw about a dozen players enjoy chess: Irakli, Yancy, Red, Sam, Trenton, Tony, Mike T., Mike S., Diego, Bert, and Ronald . . . did I miss anyone? We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 19th at Starbucks!

Hello!

This Wednesday, April 19, 2023 we'll have our usual afternoon session of chess over the boards from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, at our usual Starbucks venue! Our session this past Sunday saw at least a dozen players come by and play several very interesting matches: Trenton and Hayley were there, as were Suhas and his Dad Predbi; and, Red, Yancy, Matthew, Sam C., Meredith, Mike T., Kevin, and Reza!

We have an opportunity to add this Friday, April 21st as an extra session this week, from 5:00 p.m. through to closing time, so let me know if you're up for that and I'll confirm it in an email message to you.

This coming Sunday, April 23rd, we'll have another USCF-rated club tournament: check the Upcoming Club Tournaments page for all the details. This will be at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, located just across the side parking lot from our Starbucks venue. Those not playing in the tournament are welcome to observe, or play chess with other non-participants at either Carl's Jr. or Starbucks that day!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, no purchase requirement, plus there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink!

Any questions or need for more info, just let me know, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, April 16, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hello!

Enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards once again this Sunday, April 16, 2023 from 3pm on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd; in the Clayton Shopping Center.

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place, and players there early usually 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!

Our session last Wednesday, April 12, 2023 saw at least 17 players and supporters enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess, right through closing time! We welcomed two players new to the club: Ty, and Ron S.! There to welcome them were Sam C. (who solved the puzzle!), Tony T (back from surgery!), Mike T., Sam S., Trenton and Hayley, John S., Diego, Red, Matthew, Duncan, Suhas and his Dad Prudhi, William, and Farbod!

Club Tournament Next Sunday, April 23!

Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across side parking lot from Starbucks).
Format: Quads (3rds); or Groups of 6 or more players, 4rds Swiss.
Time Control: G/45;d.10 (Forty-five minutes each player; 10-second delay).
Entry Fee: $30 paid before 04/23/23; $35 if paid on 04/23/23. (At least 90% of entry fees are returned as cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads; and, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and perhaps even 4th Place for larger groups, depending on number of entries).
Starting Times: 12:30 p.m. and No Later Than 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. The last round for Quads or last 2 rounds for larger groups may be completed on the same day, OR at time(s) agreed upon by matched players and the Tournament Director for completion the following Wednesday (April 26) or Sunday (April 30).
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. It's easy to join or renew, by going online at www.uschess.org

Note: Players not participating in the club tournament may also play chess, at either Starbucks or Carl's Jr., but only with players who are also not participants.

Let me know if you have questions or need more information, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 12th at Starbucks!

Hello!

There's chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue this Wednesday, April 12, 2023 as players of all ages and skill levels can come and go anytime after 3:00 p.m. on through closing time for some fun, challenging matches!

This past Sunday saw more than a dozen players, including more new players like Greg and his kids Noah and Nicky; and, Thomas and his kids Myles and Mila, along with Mike T., William, Farbod, Ron Clf., Vin and Vin Sr. were there to welcome them. More players will be joining the fun as the weather gets so much sunnier!

Our next club tournament is still a go for Sunday, April 23, 2023. Visit our Upcoming Club Tournaments page for details.

Any questions or need for more info, just let me know. See you soon!

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