CHESS this Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Sunday afternoons at our regular Starbucks venue seems to be the place for fun, challenging chess over the boards, starting at 3:00 p.m. through to closing time! Come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels welcome, no purchase required (but it would be nice), and there are no club dues! Last Sunday saw at least 22 players having fun, and this Sunday, October 1, 2023, there's going to be a chess puzzle to solve! (First player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice.)

We also meet Wednesdays, same time, same place (1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.). Last Wednesday saw tough matches between players such as Tony, Angel, Irakli, Bert, Mike T., John S., Evan, and -- long time no see again -- George, as well as Albert!

By all means, join the fun of chess, make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon!

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

CHESS Today, Sept. 27th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, and last Sunday's session drew 22 players of all ages and skill levels that came by at different times to enjoy the game of chess over the boards! They were: Ben C. with Michele and Vivian; Kevin, Mike T., Max, Lou, new player Lucas; Alisa, Tony, Red with friends Alex and Rex; Irakli, Sam, Mark, IMRonald, Mathew; and, Paige with JJ, Ian, and Kayden! Did I miss anyone? We wish Alisa a bon voyage and a fun trip to Europe with a safe return!

No player solved the chess puzzle on the first try Sunday. We'll have another today, Wednesday, September 27, 2023. First one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Come on by, all ages and skill levels are welcome, no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice), 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, September 24th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

There's lots of chess over the boards once again this Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue (1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center). We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place, come and go anytime, there are no dues, there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

There will be a chess puzzle to solve this Sunday, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Wednesday's session saw at least eight players come by to enjoy an afternoon of chess, and it was great to see Evan H. again after a few years -- back as an engineer from Purdue Univ and quite a job in Seattle -- one of the first regular players of this chess club! Along with Evan at chess Wednesday were Tony, Angel, Mark, FBen, Mike T., Bert, and Mike S.! Many more players, including kids, are expected as usual this Sunday, including at least one, maybe two, masters! If there's an overflow of chess players at Starbucks, by all means check Carl's Jr. across the side parking lot... there could even be a chess lesson or two going on there, as well...

... so then, come on by, make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Wednesday, September 20th, at our regular Starbucks venue, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time -- come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels welcome, no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice)!

This past Sunday, Sept. 17, we welcomed our newest player yet, Elisa! And we also welcomed back Yancy, who was the first to solve the chess puzzle, on his first try, to win a free tall Starbucks drink! Along with Elisa and Yancy were IM Ronald; Ian and JJ with Paige; Mila with Tatiana; Elias with Maria; Jordy with Emily; and Ben C., Kevin, Red, Lou, Reza, and Mike T. -- that's at least 18! (Always great to see kids in the mix!) Did I miss anyone?

Come on by for the fun and challenge of the game, 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, Sept. 17 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Lots of chess over the boards this Sunday, September 17, 2023 at our usual Starbucks venue -- from 3pm on through closing. All ages and skill levels welcome. Come and go anytime, no purchase required (but it would be nice)! Be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try and win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place! Last Wednesday's session saw at least 7 players get their game on over the boards: Tony, Mike T., Meredith, Angel, FBen, Bert, and Irakli, were there, with more players expected this Sunday as well as other sessions ahead! This Sunday may be Meredith's last session with us until perhaps the holidays, as she will be starting her university adventures at UC Irvine in the next week or two!!

So then, drop by, enjoy the game, make new friends, renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, September 13th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, and at least 16 players enjoyed an afternoon of chess over the boards this past Sunday, including 4 kids mixing it up with the adults for the fun and challenge of the game!

Suhas was there with his Dad Pubdi, while Ian, JJ, and Kayden were with their mom Paige. Joining them were Kevin, Jordy (with Emily), Matthew, Mark, IM Ronald, Reza, Red, Daniel (with Samantha), Ben C., Meredith, Lou, and Mike T. The race to solve a rather easy puzzle was won by Daniel, who got it on his first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of Samantha's choice...!

The next chess puzzle to solve on the first try to win a free drink will be much more difficult, requiring more thought, as we meet once again this coming Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at our usual Starbucks venue, same time (from 3:00 p.m. to closing). Come and go anytime; all ages and skill levels welcome; no purchase required (but it would be nice).

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, Sept. 10th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Sunday, September 10, 2023 as we do from 3:00 p.m. through to closing every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, near the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd!

Last Wednesday's session saw more than 10 players come by to get a game of chess over the boards. Fortunato is our newest player, with his wife Nexie, welcomed by Tony, Mike T., Ben C., Ian, Angel, Meredith, Irakli, Matthew, and John S.!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels. Come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement. 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! The next puzzle might have very, very few chess pieces on the board, so once it is put out for solving, it will be a race to see who gets it right on the first try!!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Sept. 6th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

A healthy mix of adults and kids made chess over the boards at last Sunday's session certainly more active, fun, and challenging! Of the total of about 15 or so were Reza, Red, Ben C., Daniel, and Mike T. welcoming new player Barrick and chesskids Ian and Kayden with their mom Paige, along with kids new to the club Preston and Elias with mom Maria as well as Mila with mom Tatiana! Did I miss anyone?

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons at our usual Starbucks venue, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, 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! Our next session is this Wednesday, September 6, 2023!

Come by and enjoy the game and the company, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, September 3rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

The long Labor Day weekend is here, hopefully with cooler weather, as we continue to meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our usual Starbucks venue! Of course players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice to buy something). Our next session is this Sunday, September 3, 2023. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve. The first one solving the chess puzzle on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

No player in our session last Wednesday solved the puzzle on the first try, but Irakli certainly has the bragging rights, having solved it on his subsequent try, building off of Tony's solid attempt! Along with Irakli and Tony enjoying chess over the boards were Samuel, Angel, Ben C., Meredith, Mike T., Bert, Alwin, Mike S., and Matthew with his son, a bundle of joy all of nine months old!

If you're around this Sunday, come on by, make new friends and renew old friendships! To our more than 70 club players: Enjoy the weekend and see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 30th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons at our regular Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. through to closing (8:00p.m.) and this past Sunday several players stayed past closing to play chess over the boards on the outside tables under the lights!

17 or more players came by Sunday and enjoyed an afternoon of fun, challenging chess! At least 4 players were there for the first time: Rose, who was there with Lou; and Aldon, Jeff, and Damon were welcomed to the club by Sam C., Ben C. and family, Vin and his Dad Vincent, Red (long time no see, Red!), Mike T., Meredith, IMRonald, Daniel (with Samantha), Mark, Reza, Matthew, and Suhas and his Dad!! (Did I miss anyone?) Players were so absorbed in their matches that the chess puzzle is going to have to wait until this coming Wednesday. (First one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink!)

Looking ahead, as several players expressed an interest in playing official USCF-rated games without traveling too far, I will be scheduling a USCF-rated club tournament for sometime in September or October. I will be eliciting ideas or preferences regarding dateline, time controls, entry fees, etc. along with format and number of rounds. This month's club tournament was cancelled owing to all too few commitments due to possibly other activities and more pressing matters. So, stay tuned til then!

As always, come by and 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, Aug. 27th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We'll have our regular fun, challenging session of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, August 27, 2023. We will go, as usual, from 3:00 p.m. to closing time as players and their friends and family can come and go anytime . . . ! Expect to see adults and kids alike join in the fun, and don't be surprised to see an IM or even an NM join us! There will definitely be a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Our last session this past Wednesday was with Meredith, Angel, Tony, Ben C. and Mike T., and before I forget, safe travels and a rewarding junior year to Jonah, as he goes to Maryland to continue his studies on his way to becoming an... engineer! Meredith is on deck to head south to UC Irvine next month to begin her studies to become an.... engineer!

See you soon, come by for the game of chess, make new friends and/or renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Aug. 23rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least a dozen players came by last Sunday for fun, challenging chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue: new player Jessica was there with her pal Meredith and was welcomed by Mike T., Anh, Mark, Trmy, Sam C., Ben C., Angel, Vin, and Vin's Dad Vincent!

We meet again this Wednesday, August 23, 2023, same place, same time (3pm through to closing), all ages and skill levels welcome, come and go anytime, no dues, no purchase required! When there's a chess puzzle to solve, the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Come by to have fun, get your game up, get into some tough matches, or simply learn more of the game, practice it, and by the way, make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 16th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Several kids or young adults joined the fun and challenge of chess over the boards this past Sunday, and they certainly were a challenge for the adults! There for the afternoon, with several staying until evening, were Lou, Juliana, Mathis, Meredith, Ian, JJ, Kayden, Ben C., Kevin, Sam C., Reza, Mike T., Jayden, Max, Suhas, and IMRonald! Did I miss anyone? Oh, yes, of course there was Ian, JJ, & Kayden's Mom Paige and Dad Harry, along with Jayden's Mom and Suhas' Dad!

We meet again this Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 3:00 pm on through closing time, at our usual Starbucks venue. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice! 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).

Next Sunday, August 20, 2023, as mentioned in the last few emails, we'll try to have a 3-Round USCF-rated club tournament (G/30;d.10), at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant near our usual Starbucks venue. Entry fee is $20. Starting Time: 12:15 pm. Required: Current USCF membership. The Sunday afternoon chess session at Starbucks will be held, as usual.

However, regarding the tournament, because only 3 players have indicated interest and commitment to play to date, more players will need to sign up by this coming Wednesday for the tournament to be held as scheduled. Otherwise, a cancellation of the tournament will be sent out via email, and we'll try to reschedule one, perhaps a much larger tournament, for another time.

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 9th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots more chess over the boards this Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at our regular Starbucks venue, so come on by, get your game up, make new friends, or renew old friendships! We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing. All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice), and players come and go anytime. This Wednesday there's word a chess master or two will be there! Additionally, there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

This past Sunday saw at least a dozen players (Kevin, Meredith, Jonah, Tony, Daniel, Anh, Mike T., Ernie, Bert, Ben C., Reza, Max, and Dan -- did I miss anyone?) enjoy an afternoon and early evening of fun, challenging chess over the boards! Daniel solved the chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink . . . for Samantha!

USCF-rated Club Tournament Sunday, August 20, 2024:
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across side parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue).
Format: 3 Rds; Quads or groups of 6 or more players.
Time Control: G/30;d.10.
Entry Fee: $20 paid or or before 08/19/23; $25 if paid on 08/20/23.
Cash Prizes: 90% or more of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes; amounts to be determined based on number of entries. 1st & 2nd Places for Quads; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Places for groups of six or more.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, go online at www.uschess.org.
Note: Players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe the matches or play chess with other non-participants either at the restaurant or back at Starbucks.

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 #A6023746

CHESS this Sunday, August 6th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

At least 14 players came by during our session last Wednesday to enjoy an afternoon of chess over the boards, make new friends, and renew old friendships! We welcomed back Anastasia and Serge, visiting from New York! There to welcome them with open chess boards were Sam C., Matthew, Jonah, Meredith, Mike T., Angel, FBen, Johnny, Mark, Bert, John S., and . . . IM Ronald! The chess puzzle was a tricky one, but it was FBen who solved it, albeit on his second try to earn solid bragging rights!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3pm on through closing time, and we meet again this Sunday, August 6, 2023 at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the Concord intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice), and players come and go anytime. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

As mentioned in previous posts, we're having a USCF-rated chess tournament on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Time Control G/30;d.10. For format, entry fees, cash prizes, location, etc click on the Upcoming Club Tournaments tab above. Current membership in the US Chess Federation is required. To join or renew, go online at www.uschess.org.

See you soon, and if you have questions or need more info, let me know . . .

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