CHESS This Thursday (4/24) & Friday (4/25) at Carl's Jr.!

Hi . . . !

Enjoy some chess and other games this Thursday AND Friday evening April 24 & 25 at our usual venue, Carl's Jr. at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. from 6:30 pm - 10 pm. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and some really fun company!

The special Friday session is to see if there could be a demand for chess and other games on Friday evenings, so let me know if you are interested even if you might not be able to make it this time!

Thanks, and see you soon,

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday April 17th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a brief reminder to say there's always chess to be enjoyed over the boards this evening, and every Thursday evening, from 6:15 p.m. - 10 p.m. or even later, at our usual venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by any time, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

We had a nice little turnout last week, with Bill K., John S., Mike B., Mike T., Dana, Yong Cha, Jim, Maria, Ariel, and Sebastian! We just might have more players this evening, April 17, 2014, due to this week being Spring Break for most of our local schools, so come by and join the fun!

-- Mike T.

CHESS this Thursday Feb. 20th and Sunday Feb. 23rd!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note to say our chess club meets again this Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon as follows at our regular venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif.:

Thursday evening = 6:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
Sunday afternoon = 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

As usual, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

Based on feedback received recently, several players have expressed satisfaction with our current venue (Carl's Jr.) compared to other suggested possibilities, as it is easy to find, spacious, with large tables for all chess equipment, stays open until later hours, has little or no customer traffic in the above-mentioned hours other than chess players, has no requirement to purchase, has free, well-lighted wide-open adjacent parking, easily accessed by the handicapped, is near a bus stop and across the lot from Safeway, Walgreens, etc., is within a short stroll to a variety of restaurants and other businesses, and so on and so forth ... One drawback cited was the sound from the overhead video, and that has been toned down for those who cannot seem to block it... another was that the venue did not have quite the "ambiance" for chess, which is understandable, and if the perfect place can be found, I'll buy the smoking jackets and the first round of cognac, or brandy, or even schnapps, what-ever . . . !

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Feb.6th and Sunday Feb.9th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We meet as usual for some pretty interesting chess matches this Thursday evening, February 6, 2014 from 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. . . . come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some very nice company!

Note: We are considering a change of venue. Of course, our current hosts at Carl's Jr have been extremely accommodating. The space is large and stays open later than our previous location. Players have no problem finding tables and there is plenty of parking, however some feel that the site is lacking in atmosphere and, more importantly, many are bothered by the commercials which play on the video monitors mounted in the middle of the restaurant.

An opportunity has come up to try another location nearby in Concord. We'll be discussing this on Thursday night, so feel free to come by and give us your opinion. (And if you have any ideas for alternative sites, please let us know!)

So then, see you soon!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Jan. 30th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There was a nice turnout last Sunday afternoon for FM Ronald Cusi's simultaneous exhibition. Ron played about 10 boards, winning at least 8, drawing 1, and -- ironically -- losing 1 to his student Bobby! . . . and it was Evan who played Ron to a draw, by the way . . . !

On hand for the afternoon of chess for fun were Raymond, Elly, Dmitri, Liliana, Bobby, Victoria, Chris, Priya, newcomers Sam and his Dad Rick, Miranda along with her Dad, Michael D., Andrew, Bill K., Beverly, Evan, Mike T., NM Manny Perez, and of course FM Ron Cusi, along with several onlookers or spectators.

Our next session will be this Thursday evening, as usual from 6:15pm - about 10:00pm at Carl's Jr. located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

This coming Sunday, February 2, 2014 is Super Bowl Sunday -- chess players are of course welcome to have a regular session with Bill Kelly hosting in the afternoon from 2pm on at the same Carl's Jr. restaurant. However, since I'll be taking the Super Bowl game in, I'll probably won't see most of our club players until the Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon sessions of the following week.

So then, I hope to see you soon . . . !

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Jan. 23 & an FM Simul Sunday Jan. 26 at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Now that the Golden State Open has come and gone over the last weekend, there's more chess to be played over the boards this Thusday evening, from 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at our new regular venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., just a couple driveways up from the main intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Road.

Then on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at the same place from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (or more), our Sunday session will also feature a fun "Simul" exhibition with FM Ronald Cusi playing against a variety of players on as many boards as he can simultaneously. Figure the Simul will start a little before 3:00 p.m., and assume correctly that space will be somewhat limited. The players who arrive the earliest will be given a chance to play him first. Last Spring, Ron played a simul against 21 players, winning 20 boards and drawing on 1. There will be no purchase at the restaurant necessary, nor will there be a fee charged for playing the simul (though a nominal $2 voluntary donation toward the sponsoring USCF affiliation club dues will be accepted -- or who knows, I just might buy a hamburger or two with it!).

At either session, as usual, come by anytime, but the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company over some fun chess!

See you there,

-- Mike T.

East Bay Open Results & CHESS this Dec. 12 and Dec. 15!!

Hi Everyone . . . there's fun over the boards this Thursday evening Dec. 12th 6:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon 2:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Carl's Jr. located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., come and go anytime, start the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

Results of the 2nd Annual East Bay Open are in. Grand Master Enrico Sevillano successfully defended his title, winning the top prize of $1000 by finishing as a clear winner in the Open Section for the second year in a row! Manny Perez tied for 2nd place with Jimmy Heiserman, Vignesh Panchanatham, and Andy Applebaum, when Jimmy edged Ricardo de Guzman in a very tight 5th round contest. Full results are posted on the Club page of USCF web site - Click here for the full breakdown.

. . . And speaking of clear winners and perhaps a chess master of the future, we're proud to announce that our very own club player Dmitri Dobrynin was the clear winner, the absolute First Place finisher, the Champion (whose Chess Coach the past few months has been FIDE Master Ronald Cusi) of the U1600 Section!! Dmitri held his ground with 4 wins and 1 draw for a total of 4.5 points out of a maximum possible of 5 points, and saw his overall USCF rating rocket up by more than 200 points! In 2nd place right behind Dmitri was Bill Kelly, Jr., who had 4 solid wins against only 1 loss for a total of 4 points! Right behind Bill was youngster Jeremy Chen with 3.5 points and a clear 3rd place finish!

Young Hans Niemann, who plays in our club, shared 1st place in the U2000 section with Owen Overton of Walnut Creek. Our club player Nenad Zagorac found himself in the money circle once again, tied for an U1800 category of the section with Eitetsu Potharam, as Berkeley School's Andrew Mueckenberger took clear honors for 3rd place in the U2000 Section, with Sacramento's Conrad Cota in a tie for 4th with Ganesh Murugappan.

In the U1200 Section, Michael D'Alfonsi won a tough 5th round match against Karen Minasyan to force a 4-way tie for 1st place with Karen, Meiyappan Sathappan of Fremont, Calif, and one of our newest club players, Henry Benaid!

A highlight of the U1200 Section was a match between Chris Theodorou and Fred Tabisaura, with a Robby the Robot action figure as the King on Chris's side of the board. I won't say who won the match, but if sometime during the tournament you heard some strange little tinny voice cry out "Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!" . . . . . .

Worst spill of the tournament honors go to club player Stewart Spada, who nearly ruined his opponent's chessboard, and really did a number on the tablecloth with all that coffee . . . and who can forget Chris accidentally putting his right elbow in his glass of water, there went another board and tablecloth, as players nearby were nearly in tears trying to hold in their laughter . . .

Anyway, it was all fun, very challenging, and definitely a success, with much thanks to Chief Tournament Director Richard Koepcke, Club Tournament Director Anthony Blessing, and many others who helped promote and make the tournament something to look forward to again, others like Manny Perez, Ronald Cusi, Enrico Sevillano, Ricardo de Guzman, Nenad Zagorac, Scott Cameron, Bill Kelly, Jr., the kids, their parents, and our friends, and certainly all the players, every single one of them.

Thanks again, sincerely, and have a happy set of holidays and a terrific new year!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Sunday Dec. 1st & Thursday Dec. 5th at Carl's Jr. !

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess over the boards this Sunday afternoon Dec. 1, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., and certainly next Thursday, Dec. 5th from 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. at our new venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

This new venue for the Contra Costa Chess Club is just across the parking area from Starbucks. We now can have more space, larger tables, and more playing time. Of course, players can still have a match or two at Starbucks, but on their own accord.

For those players heading into next weekend's (Dec. 6 - 8, 2013) 2nd Annual East Bay Open at the Concord Crowne Plaza, this coming Sunday and Thursday sessions should be fun for practice or tune-ups, for players of all skill levels, and especially for first time tournament players.

For those who haven't sent their entries in yet, the flyer, and entry form are available from the link to the right.

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Nov. 21st at Carl's Jr.!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Starting this Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, chess sessions as a club will in the foreseeable future be at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., just across the way from Starbucks in the same shopping center. Our club has grown quite a bit in number, creating a need for more room and a place which stays open much later, to the delight of players who will no longer have to cut their chess games short.

Meetings will start at the same time, 6:15 p.m., and will be open-ended, at least until about 12 midnight, when Carl's Jr. closes its doors for the night! No longer will we have to stop our activities as early as 9:30 p.m., plus we'll have much more space. We will also be moving our Sunday afternoon sessions over to Carl's Jr. As usual, players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

(The change in venue is a result of the fact, as I was told, that regular but non-chess playing customers have complained to the Starbucks General Manager that they haven't been able to get a table on Thursday evenings because of the growing number of chess players. Consequently, Starbucks has asked us to find another location. Of course, you can still choose to play chess at Starbucks on your own, just like other customers do as they camp out on tables there with their laptops, or books, etc. instead of chess sets.)

Note: We won't be meeting next Thursday, Nov. 28, which is Thanksgiving . . . our next session after that will be on Thursday, December 5, 2013, an evening of fun practice at Carl's Jr. Restaurant before the fun 2nd Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament set for December 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza ! If you haven't yet, get your entry in by Nov. 23rd to take advantage of the lower entry fee, check out our web site www.ccchess.com for the tournament flyer and entry form.

Thanks very much for your support of organized chess, and we'll see you at Carl's Jr.!!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Nov.7th & Sunday Afternoon Nov. 10th

Hi Everyone . . . !

More chess sessions as usual this week, at our usual venue at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton on Thursday evenings 6:15 p.m - 9:30 p.m., and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., and don't be surprised if a chess master or two joins the fun, as did Ronald Cusi and Manny Perez did last Sunday afternoon, and Rich Kelson a Thursday evening or two before that . . .

. . . and as the 2nd Annual East Bay Open set for Dec. 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza approaches, we'll have players of all ages and skill levels come by for practice, with the emphasis on fun, even as the clocks come out (also for the tournament novice or occasional player to get used to). . . and as an added special feature this coming Sunday, November 10, 2013, we'll have as our guest Richard Koepcke, Chief Tournament Director for the East Bay Open.

Entries are starting to come in for this year's East Bay Open, and along with the flyer and entry form, an Advanced Entries listing has recently been added - just click here to see who's signed up already.

Let us know if you have any questions or need more info.

Thanks much, and see you soon!

-- Mike T.

CHESS at Starbucks on Halloween?

Hi Everyone . . .

For those who aren't handing out candy for trick-or-treaters, Starbucks will still be open for all, including chess players who want to take in the Halloween scene over the boards, from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. this Thursday evening Oct. 31 at the Starbucks shop located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. . . .

. . . and on Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., several chess players as usual, plus it's always fun to meet and welcome new players . . . same Starbucks, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company -- and remember to bring your chess set.

-- Mike T.

CHESS this Thursday Oct. 10th and Sunday Oct. 13, 2013

Hi Everyone . . . !

We continue to meet for lots of chess fun this Thursday evening Oct. 10 from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon Oct. 13 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at our usual venue, Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

We've announced the 2nd Annual East Bay Open, set for Dec. 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza Hotel! The flyer and entry form linked to the right. Check out our nifty box ad in the October 2013 issue of Chess Life Magazine (page 55) along with the Tournament Listing Announcement (TLA) in the magazine!

If you have any questions or need more info, just call at phone number below or numbers shown on flyer. Thanks very much for your interest and support for the grand game of chess!

So then, see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.
(925) 334-0081

2nd Annual East Bay Open - December 6-8, 2013

The Contra Costa Chess Club is pleased to announce that the Second Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament will be held on December 6 - 8, 2013.

This year's East Bay Open follows on the success of the first EBO, held in 2012. Last year's Open drew more than 100 registered participants, with ratings ranging from Novice or Beginner to International Master and Grand Master. Players competed in 4 different skill sections, for a prize fund of more than $5,000. First Prize in the top section was won by Grand Master Enrico Sevillano, of Tehachapi, California, who scored 4 1/2 points out of 5 to take home the top prize of $1000. First Place winners in the other three sections were Alexander Mariano of Martinez, California; Nenad Zagorac of Walnut Creek, California; and, Darmawan Ali Effendi of Pleasanton, California. Overall, a total of 31 players won prize money of varying amounts.

This year's tournament will once again take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord, California. The site of last year's East Bay Open, as well as the Golden State Open earlier this year, the Crowne Plaza has proven to be an excellent tournament venue, with quiet and comfortable playing rooms, plenty of space for post-game analysis, attractive and affordable guest rooms, and close proximity to restaurants and freeway access, with free parking and a free shuttle as available to and from the Concord BART Station.

This year's tournament will once again be a 5 round Swiss, with a 2 and a 3 day option. Players will compete in one of 4 sections for a total projected prize fund of $5,500 or more ($3,700 guaranteed) depending on the number of players. Advanced entry will be $78, for entries postmarked or otherwise received on or before November 23, 2013. For later entries and entries on-site an additional $15 is required, for a total of $93. Special hotel room rates for participants will be $84 a night.

For more information or details on the tournament and hotel please download the tournament entry form.

Reminder - Blitz Chess Tournament in Richmond Next Week!

Don't forget, the West Coast Chess Alliance's Speed Chess Tournament is just around the corner. Marking National Chess Day, the contest will take place at Richmond's Hilltop Mall next Saturday, October 12. While there have been numerous pre-registrations received (including, we are told, at least 2 masters), there are still slots available. Hope to see you there!

National Chess Day
Speed Chess Tournament
Saturday, October 12, 2013

Prize Fund $400 (Guaranteed): 1st - $200 / 2nd - $120 / 3rd - $80

Location: Hilltop Mall Center Court
2200 Hilltop Mall Road
Richmond, CA

5 Round Tournament
Entry Fee: $10.00
1st Round: 1:00 PM
Registration: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
2 games per opponent (1 white /1 black) each round
Time Control: G/5 (Game in 5 minutes, no delay)

• Tournament limited to first 40 registered players
• Non-rated tournament, USCF Rules
• Chess sets provided
• Chess clocks not provided
• Pre-registration Encouraged

Tournament Director: Scott Mason
To download the Flyer, click here.

For more information contact: TC Ball at (510)439-6311 or thewestcoastchessalliance@gmail.com

Registration: Make checks payable to: Trendell Ball Consultants
Mail to: West Coast Chess Alliance
P.O. Box 20111
El Sobrante, CA 94820

CHESS at Starbucks Thursday Sept. 26 and Sunday Sept. 29 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We continue to have some pretty interesting chess challenges over the boards every Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Last Thursday some 17 players came by for the fun, which featured a dessert tray being passed around towards the end of the session, and Sunday saw nearly the same number of players enjoy an afternoon of chess, highlighted by IM-elect Ron Cusi taking on speed chess challengers just for the fun of it, capped by a group going across to the Hawaiian BBQ place for a nice meal!

Thursday evenings we meet from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday afternoons we meet from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

At either session, drop in anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really, some pretty good company!

It's official! Our 5-round, USCF-rated 2nd Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament (with 4 sections) has been scheduled for your choice of three days Dec. 6 - 8 (Friday evening thru Sunday) or two days Dec. 6 -7, 2013 (Sat. and Sun.) at the Concord Crowne Plaza. Chief TD will be Richard Koepcke, assisted by Club TDs Nenad Zagorac, Anthony Blessing, and yours truly!

Click here to download the flyer for all the details and an entry form. If you need to join the USCF or renew your membership, you can do so directly on www.uschess.org, or through your local chess club.

Note that players save $15 if paid entries are postmarked or otherwise given to me on or before 11/23/2013. For those staying at the hotel, book your stay by November 20 using Code EBO for the preferred rate of $84 per night. 

Thanks very much for your support of the grand game of Chess !!

-- John M. Treshler.