CHESS this Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet once again this Sunday, August 31st as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon (from 3:00 p.m. to closing time, as players come and go anytime) at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center, which is just a couple of driveways up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.

There are no dues; and, all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters and all in between! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a tall Starbucks drink of choice! Patrick and Ben C. were the most recent winners, and they have yet to collect on the prize, which by club bylaw, if I remember correctly, means they now might have to share the one tall drink that of course will now have to come with two straws . . .

So then, perhaps we'll see you this Sunday enjoying the fun and challenge of chess over the boards, as a part of the long Labor Day holiday weekend, ready to make new friends, and even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 27th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 3pm through to closing time at our regular venue, the Starbucks in the Clayton Shopping Center! We're there every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, and we welcome players of all ages and skill levels! Players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve for a free tall Starbucks drink to the one who is the first to solve it on the first try.

See you soon to enjoy the fun and challenge of the game of chess over the boards, and to make new friends, perhaps even to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS at Starbucks Sunday, August 24, 202 !

Hi Everyone!

Our chess club will meet as usual this Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome; there are no dues; and, players can come and go anytime. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the player who is the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

It's going to be a most interesting afternoon, and don't be surprised if it includes meeting and making new friends, along with renewing old friendships! See you at Starbucks!

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

CHESS this Wednesday August 20, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Our club meets at our regular Starbucks venue (1536 Kirker Pass Rd.), in the Clayton Shopping Center, every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. We will meet this Wednesday, August 20th, and certainly next Sunday, August 24th, same time, same place. Our session last Sunday was quite active, with players of various ages and skill levels enjoying the fun and challenge of the game of chess over the boards!

There are no dues, and players of all ages are welcome and can come and go anytime. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! As a bonus, don't be surprised if you make new friends, and perhaps even renew old friendships!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet once again this Sunday, August 17th, at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center for fun, challenging chess over the boards! As usual, we go from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime. There are no dues, and there is even a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it winning the prize of a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place. Last Wednesday's session saw several players from beginners to experts drop in for some interesting matches, including some fun speed games between John S. and Hossam, two of the "founding fathers" of our chess club!

See you there, and don't be surprised if you make new friends, and perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Last Sunday's session of fun, challenging chess over the boards literally had players of various ages and skill levels, from kids younger than 10 or 11 years of age, to high school and college teenagers, young professionals, older professionals; and, retirees among the older set! Well more than 20 players came by to play chess, make new friends, and in several instances renewed old friendships! There was even live music at our Starbucks venue, courtesy of Red and his talent at his keyboard! Adding to the highlights of the session was Patrick winning the prize of a free tall Starbucks drink by being the first player to solve the day's rather difficult chess puzzle on the first try!

We welcomed back, after a very long absence, John S. and Hossam, two of the "founding fathers" of the Contra Costa Chess Club, which they helped form back in late 2008. It could not have been organized --- and successful --- without them!

We also welcomed back Vinn, who was there with his mom Katherine. It was good to see young Amy and her Dad, as well as young Samuel and his parents and... of course young Aaryan and his Dad! It was great to see Olaf in the mix again, with fellow players Ben C., Red, David, Samuel, Lou, Rose, Daniel C., Reza, Patrick, Mike T., Daemon, Brandon, and one of our newer players, named Tony (did I miss anyone?). By the way, Tony T., one of our regular players, is on his road to full recovery.

We meet again this Wednesday, August 13th, at our regular Starbucks venue located in the Clayton Shopping Center, 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 to come and go anytime. There are no dues, and there often is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

So then, come on, join us and get with the game of chess, make new friends, and perhaps renew old friendships! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 10, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

More chess players of all ages and skill levels are cooling off in the pleasant atmosphere of our regular Starbucks venue located in the Clayton Shopping Center as they enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards! We've been having great turnouts of players, and this past Wednesday we welcomed Amy, a bright 10-year old ready to play chess and make new friends!

We meet every Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, and our next session is this Sunday, August 10th, same place, same time (3pm through to closing time). There are no dues, and players can come and go anytime. There often is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

This coming Sunday (Aug.10), we just might be seeing a couple of this club's "founding fathers" drop in, after a long absence, to flex their chess muscles (or rust, perhaps)! See you soon, and do be ready to make new friends, and certainly to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

We always welcome new players of all ages and skill levels to our chess club, which meets every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 3pm to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, in the Clayton Shopping Center. Our session this past Sunday saw a very good turnout of players, from kids to the elderly and all in between, enjoying the fun and challenge of the game of chess over the boards.

We welcomed a new player named Tony, and another fellow named Hanzel by the end of the day. Players can come and go anytime; there are no dues; and, there often is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon, and expect to make new friends, and perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 3, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3pm to closing time, and last Wednesday's session of fun, challenging chess over the boards drew quite a number of players at our usual venue, the Starbucks in the Clayton Shopping Center! We meet again this Sunday, August 3rd, and players can come and go anytime; there are no dues; and, there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, and last Wednesday we happened to welcome a beginner at the game (Ray), along with experienced new players Jim and his Dad Joseph, who Jim mentioned happens to be in his 90s! Several players came by later in the day, and by closing time there were still two matches also drawing to a close.

See you soon, and be game as well to making new friends, and perhaps even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Just a short note to say we meet as usual on Wednesday, July 30th, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday, from 3 pm through to closing time at our usual Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center. There was a very nice turnout of players last Sunday and we're looking forward to another great session Wednesday!

So, get your game up, along with a smile that comes with making new friends, and renewing old friendships!

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

We meet again for fun, challenging chess over the boards this Sunday, July 27th, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon! As usual, we go from 3:00 pm through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, in the Clayton Shopping Center. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters. There are no dues, and players can come and go anytime.

There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the prize of a free tall Starbucks drink of choice goes to the first one who solves the puzzle on the first try!

Rated QUADS, Anyone?

Questions have come up as to whether we will be having a USCF-rated club chess tournament or contest. If there are players interested in playing rated matches in Quads, please let me know and I will be happy to form up the foursome(s), and schedule accordingly. I will need to make sure, based on established ratings, that no player in a Quad is unnecessarily overmatched. Time Control = G/30;d5 and the Entry Fee = $25. When and where? Quad players are to agree on a day and time; and, location will be at either our regular Starbucks, or across the side parking lot at Carl's Jr. (where we have had larger tournaments), or at a nearby residence (where Quads have been held in years past).

Once again, let me know if you are interested in playing rated Quad matches. Cash prizes go to the 1st ($50) and 2nd ($40) Places, with most of the rest of entry fees going to the USCF.

In the meantime, we'll see you at our Starbucks venue, ready for chess and to make new friends as well as perhaps renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

Our next session is this Wednesday, July 23rd at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center, as usual from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime to enjoy the fun and challenge of the game of chess. There are no dues, and there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with a free tall Starbucks drink of choice for the first player to solve it on his or her first try!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same place, same time, etc. Our session last Sunday drew 20 or more players, and it looks like the attendance at both Sunday and Wednesday sessions are gaining more new players with each session! Join us also for the fun and joy of making new friends, and even for the pleasure of renewing old friendships! See you there!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 20, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

More than a dozen players, of all skill levels, came by to enjoy chess over the boards this past Wednesday, including returning players and players with us for the first time! We welcomed Brandon to the club early on, and later in the afternoon we welcomed Bert's friend Robert. We also got acquainted with Elizabeth, who along with son Aaron will be with the club in the near future, possibly even at our next session. We also welcomed back Meredith, who is home from her university for much of the remainder of this summer!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time (as players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go at will). We're located in Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. There are no dues.There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon, for the game of chess and the opportunity to make new friends and perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

About twenty chess players came by this past Sunday to enjoy the challenge and fun of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue located in the Clayton Shopping Center! We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time.

As usual, we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, and players can come and go anytime. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Last Sunday, it was Max who won the prize!

See you over the boards, and ready to make new friends, and perhaps to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 14, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone...!

Join the fun and challenge of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, July 14, 2025...! We're there from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time every Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. Players can come and go anytime, and there are no dues. There's a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! All ages and skill levels are welcome.

So then, get a game up this Sunday, and as usual be open to making new friends, and even to renewing old friendships!

See you there!

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