CHESS Club Sessions Cancelled Until Further Notice Due to Health Order!

Hi Everyone . . .

Today, March 16, 2020, The Contra Costa County Health Officer, under the authority of Health & Safety Code Sections 101040 and 120175, ordered that all individuals are to shelter in their places of residence.  The exceptions are those who are involved in essential activities; essential government functions; and, the operation of essential businesses. Other exceptions involve family and even the care of pets.  Apparently, those who violate this Order may be subject to a fine, imprisonment, or both.

As a result, going along with The Order and an abundance of caution, The Contra Costa Chess Club will not nor should not hold any chess sessions or tournaments until further notice.  The Order I understand might last through April 7, 2020.

While this is unfortunate and almost unbelievable, the link below will take you to the official Health Order that came out just today.  Several other counties in the Bay Area have issued similar Orders.  The Order details what those above-mentioned essential activities, etc. are.

Contra Costa County Health Department Order 

So then, until further notice, which I hope will be soon, our Contra Costa Chess Club will go into hiatus, until The Order is amended appropriately or totally rescinded.

(However, if anyone is in dire need . . . 😀.)  Let me know if you need more information, or need a chess fix . . . !

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

CHESS March 8 - 11, 2020 at Mona's & Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . .!

This Week's Chess   -- Over the Boards !:

Sunday, March 8, 2020:  From 2pm - 5:30pm, Mona's Bar & Grill, 4635 Clayton Rd., Concord.

Monday, March 9, 2020:  From 5:30pm - 9:30 pm, Mona's Bar & Grill, as above.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020: From 5;00pm - 9:00 pm, Starbucks, 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton.

As usual, at all the above, come by anytime, all ages and skill levels are welcome!

I'll have news about our USCF-rated tournament set for Sunday March 15 at Mona's Bar & Grill.  Depending on the number of players and projected customer activity at Mona's, I may move the venue to Carl's Jr. Restaurant, (located across the lot from our Starbucks venue).  I'll confirm by this coming Thursday a.m.

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation www.uschess.org

Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS This Week March 1 - 4 at Mona's B&G and Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Here's where you can enjoy chess over the boards in a very nice setting, with plenty of parking and no purchase required (but it would be nice).  All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters and all in between. --- Come by anytime, the earlier the better!

Sunday, March 1, 2020:  Mona's Bar & Grill, located at 4365 Clayton Rd., Concord, right by the Fire Dept. Station; from 2:00pm - 5:30pm.

Monday, March 2, 2020:  Mona's Bar & Grill, from 5:30pm - 9:30pm.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020:  Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, just up the road from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd, from 5:00pm - 9:00pm.

USCF-Rated Tournament - Sunday, March 15, 2020:

Where = Mona's Bar & Grill;
Format =  3 Rds, Quads or Swiss, depending on number of players;
Time Control = G/45 d5;
Entry Fee = $27 ($25 if paid by Friday 303/13/20}; at least 80% or more returned in prizes, depending on number of players;
Registration Ends by 12:30 p.m. at Tournament Site.
Match Starting Times:  No Later Than 1:00pm; NLT 3:00pm; and, NLT 5:00pm. Start times can be earlier if all players agree and previous matches are complete and results posted.

USCF Membership required.  All USCF Tournament Rules Apply.

Please bring your chess set and chess clock if at all possible, as none are provided.

(Another tournament is possible for Sunday, March 22, 2020, in the same location.)

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Week Feb. 23 - 26 at Mona's B&G and at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . .!

There's lots more chess over the boards this week at Mona's Bar & Grill, and at our usual Starbucks venue!  As usual, Come by anytime between the times mentioned below; all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters and all in between; plus, there's no purchase required (but it would be nice)!

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 : Mona's Ba & Grill from 2:00p.m. - 5:30 p.m.; (Mona's is located at 4635 Clayton Rd. in Concord, CA, right next to Fire Dept. Station.)

Monday, Feb. 24, 2020:  Mona's Bar & Grill from 5:00p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020:  Starbucks from 5:00p.m. - 9:00.pm.  (The Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd. in Clayton, CA., just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.).


Beginning March 2020, we will be having USCF- rated competition (e.g., Quads or more!!) in a reserved,quiet area of Mona's Bar & Grill !! An alternate venue may also be available nearby if needed.  The first one may be on Sunday, March 15, 2020.  See proposed specs below:

Sunday afternoons starting at 1:00 p.m.; 3 rds; G/45 d5; Rds nlt 1pm; nlt 3pm; and, nlt 5pm.; EF $27, with minimum of 85-90% entry fees returned in cash prizes depending on number of players per session/grouping.  USCF current membership required; players must bring their own chess boards, chess pieces, and chess clocks.  All USCF tournament rules apply.

Let me know if you have any questions or need more info!

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

CHESS at Mona's Bar & Grill Sunday & Monday!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Mona's Bar & Grill is the place to be for chess players of all ages who enjoy the game over the boards instead of constantly on the internet, or if they just want to get into the game whether as experienced players, or as players improving their game, or as raw beginners eager to learn!

Play chess at Mona's on Sunday afternoons, 2:00pm -5:30pm;
Monday evenings 5:00pm - 9:30pm.

Come by anytime, the earlier the better for more matches, more fun!


Mona's is located at 4635 Clayton Rd. in Concord, Calif. next to the Fire Dept. Station.

No purchase required, just know the food is good, and chess players can order off the Happy Hour Menu anytime during "chess hours"!

See you soon, as in this Sunday, Feb. 16 & Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 at Mona's (and we're at our usual Starbucks venue, 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, Calif., 5pm - 9pm, every Wednesday evening, see you there this coming Wednesday Feb. 19th!).

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

CHESS Wednesday Feb. 12th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note reminder that there's chess over the boards as usual at our usual Wednesday evening venue, from 5pm - 9pm, at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd., in the Clayton Station shopping center!  Come by anytime, earlier the better, all ages and skill levels welcome, no purchase required (but it would be nice) !

See you there,

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

CHESS at Mona's Bar & Grill Sunday Afternoon & Monday Evening!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Effective this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, Mona's Bar & Grill, located at 4635 Clayton Rd., right next to a Fire Dept. Station, in Concord, Calif., will be open to chess players of all ages and skill levels every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better.  No purchase required, just know the food is really good!

Mona's Bar & Grill is still the place to be for chess players every Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m!  We're there as usual this Monday, February 10, 2020, and once again, though no purchase is required, all players with an appetite and/or thirst can use the Happy Hour Menu all evening long.

See you there,

P.S.:  We also enjoy chess over the boards also at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, Calif., where we've been for 15 years now, every Wednesday evening (this week's date is Feb. 12}, from 5:00 p.m. -9:00p.m.!  As usual, come by anytime, the earlier the better, no purchase required, but it would be nice!

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

CHESS Monday Feb. 3 at Mona's; Wednesday Feb. 5 at Starbucks

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's nothing like chess over the boards, and there's plenty of fun, challenging live-action chess this Monday, February 3, 2020 at Mona's Bar & Grill, from 5pm - 9:30pm, . . . Come by anytime!  All ages and skill levels are welcome.  No purchase required, just know the food is really good!  Mona's is located in Concord, at 4635 Clayton Rd., right next to a Fire Dept. Station, with plenty of parking in back!

There's more of the same this Wednesday evening as well from 5pm - 9:00pm at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Station shopping center . . . Come by anytime!  All ages, all skill levels are welcome  No purchase required (but it would be nice) and lots of parking spaces.

The club continues to attract new players, so come on by, renew old friendships, make new ones!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6026746

CHESS Monday Jan 27 at Mona's Bar & Grill !!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Lots of chess over the boards returns to Mona's Bar & Grill this Monday evening, January 27, 2020, from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm . . . !  Mona's is located at 4635 Clayton Rd., in Concord, Calif., right next to a Fire Dept. Station.  Come by anytime, all ages and skill levels welcome, from beginners to masters and all in between!  No purchase required, but if you have an appetite, per Dennis, the owner, feel free to use the Happy Hour Menu (and prices) all evening long, and rest assured the food, drinks and snacks are really good!

See you there, and at this Wednesday evening's regular chess session at Starbucks in Clayton!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Jan. 22nd at Starbucks !!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's definitely more chess this Wednesday evening, January 22, 2020, at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, Calif., from 5:00pm - 9:00pm !  Come by anytime, earlier the better for the better tables and more matches!  All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters!  No purchase required, but it would be nice . . . also, games other than chess can be played.  Just bring whatever suits you that evening for other players . . .

An added feature to this Wednesday's session would be games that players at this past weekend's 11th Annual Golden State Open experienced, and the competition was stiff !!

Congratulations and celebrations go to Bob C. for his super tournament win, finishing in the top level of his division, and making off with the $$$ !!  For more info or insights as to the tournament site and overall competitive spirit of players, check out Tony T., Anthony B., Nicolas P., Chris B, Mike T., Carl N., Bob C. for sure., John S., Tyler W., Max H., Jackie C., Dennis, and several others.

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Jan. 15th at Starbucks !

Hi Everyone . . . !

This Wednesday evening -- January 15, 2020 --  there's lots of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue, at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. . . . Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches . . . no purchase required, but it would be nice!

About a dozen players ran the chess boards at Mona's Bar & Grill this past Monday night, and several more may be expected this Wednesday, considering that the 11th Annual Golden State Open is set to take place this coming long weekend (Martin Luther King weekend) at the Concord Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord, California, just down the road, by Buchanan Fields Airport. .  !!

It will be a fine evening for practicing openings, middle and end games with time controls, for the tournament, fun as well as challenging -- whether or not you're in the tournament!

If you haven't yet entered the 11th annual Golden State Open, I'll have all the details available to you at Starbucks,  Have a laptop with you for entry at the on-line deadline of Jan. 15 for advance entries.  Entry fees are higher if paid at the tournament site itself.

See you soon!

--  Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A624746

CHESS Monday Jan. 13th at Mona's Bar & Grill!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess over the boards now as usual at Mona's Bar & Grill Monday evenings, from 5:30pm thru 9:30pm!  Come by anytime, all ages and skill levels welcome !  Mona's is located at 4635 Clayton Rd. in Concord.  (There's lots of parking in back.)

This Monday at Mona's, and this Wednesday at our usual Starbucks venue, will be a great time to practice for the upcoming Annual Golden State Open set to go next weekend at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord, California!

See you at Mona's and Starbucks, and at the Crowne Plaza !!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A24746

CHESS Today Wednesday Jan. 8th at Starbucks !!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Yes, players of all age and skill levels can come anytime from 5:00 p.m. thru 9:00 p.m. for the usual fun, challenging chess over the boards at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, Calif., right on the border of Concord, Calif. . . . !

Come by for the start our 15th year as an Affiliate Club of the US Chess Federation, and there's no purchase required at the Starbucks (but it would be nice) . . . so do drop in, make new friends, whether you play simply for the joy of it, or if you're practicing for an upcoming tournament !

Having just returned last night from a vacation overseas, I will see you there, jet-lagged and all !!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club #A624747 

CHESS today Monday Dec. 23rd at Mona's Bar & Grill!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a reminder that there's fun, challenging chess and even other games over the boards this evening, Monday December 23, 2019 from 5pm - 9:30pm at Mona's Bar & Grill, located at 4635 Clayton Rd., in Concord, Calif. . . . !  All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters . . . !

No purchase required, and per Dennis, the venue's owner, if you happen to have an appetite or thirst, you can have anything on the Happy Hour Menu at Happy Hour prices all evening long, until closing . . . !  Furthermore, this evening Dennis will be there and glad to challenge, or be challenged, to any speed chess game!  Dennis is quite the chess enthusiast and is game to have Mona's Bar & Grill as a regular place for Contra Costa Chess Club players every Monday night!

Check it out!  And I'll see you there!  Happy Holidays!

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

CHESS as Usual at Starbucks today Wednesday Dec. 18!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess over the boards, as usual, this Wednesday evening from 5pm - 9pm at our usual Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. . . . and as usual, all ages and skill levels are welcome!

(Note:  Our next Wednesday evening session at Starbucks after today will be on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 . . . so then, have a very fine and happy holiday season with a really happy New Year !!!)

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Ches Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746