CHESS & Starbucks Alert!

Hi Everyone !
Alert: (Info received thru Starbucks corporate channels, effective tomorrow, Wednesday, September 22, 2011, for perhaps as long as two weeks):

Starbucks, along with several other establishments with indoor dining facilities in local/county locations, will for perhaps as long as two weeks starting tomorrow, not permit indoor dining or drinking due to a new local/county requirement for all their employees to take specialized Covid-19 training.

Customers are still welcome to purchase Starbucks drinks, food and other products, (and use the bathroom as needed it's believed), but must leave the interior of the store with their goods.

Chess players, as are the other customers, are welcome to occupy the outside tables and chairs. Though there is no purchase requirement, I would recommend that players have a Starbucks product at or by the outside tables (to discourage any possible complaints from non-chess playing customers). Though we've taken over all the outside tables for chess before with no problem whatsoever, I guess we have to be more circumspect about it until the indoor facilities are once again open to everyone to enjoy.

Thanks for taking note,

-- Mike T.

CHESS this Wednesday Sept. 22 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Chess over the boards is quite a going thing on Wednesdays at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, CA (just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord) !! 20 players came by last Wednesday, and at least 9 players came by for the fun this past Sunday at the same venue ( the nine were: Art S., Irakli, Hasseb, Matthew, Mike T., Evan (long time no see, Evan!), Roger, Diego, and Maria!).

We meet at the above Starbucks every Wednesday and Sunday from 4:00p.m - 8:00 p.m. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice company! Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters and all in between! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

*******For those arriving early, there will be a challenging chess puzzle to solve. First one to solve the puzzle on the first try (touch move!) wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice ! No player was able to solve last Sunday's puzzle ("mate in two") on the first try. We'll have a different one this Wednesday. While the try for the free tall drink is free, a try for a grande-size drink will have an "entry fee" of 50 cents (which goes toward future club Quads)!********

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday Sept. 19th at Starbucks!!

Hi Everyone!

No less than 20 players came by our Starbucks venue last Wednesday to enjoy chess games over the boards! Sam C. was there early, and he was the first to solve the early-bird chess puzzle on his first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of his choice!

After Sam came several players, namely Hasseb, Matthew, Mark, Irakli, Bert (long time no see, Bert!), Ranen, Armen, Alwyn, Mike T., Olaf (another new player!), John S., Chris Th., Maria, Arturo (yet another new player!), Michael J., Serena, Omar, Isaacqui, and Rich K. !! However, we will not be seeing Michael & Serena until the holidays, as they have now returned to their studies at UCLA in Southern California. A highlight of Wednesday's session was a grueling match between Mark and Rich, with Rich managing to eke out the win!

We meet again this Sunday, September 19, 2021, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA (just up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.). Come by anytime between 4:00p.m. - 8:00 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice), so see you there!

The early bird chess puzzle will be a continuing feature. The first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink! Also: we'll be having USCF rated Quads in October, so stay tuned!!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Sept.15th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

More than a dozen players came by last Wednesday, and at least 9 players came by this past Sunday to enjoy the game of chess over the boards,despite the persistent summer heat, in the cool indoors of our Starbucks venue. Last Wednesday saw John S., Mike T., Tony T., Irakli, Hasseb, Diego, Sam C., Michael J., Serena, Jon, Omar, and Omar's pal Isaaqui at the long chess table there; and, this past Sunday saw Primo, Jocelyn, Jose, Hasseb, Diego, Maria, Irakli, Mike T., and Rich K. (one of our toughest players, long time no see, Rich!) enjoy the game's challenges!

Players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to experts and masters, are welcome to join us anytime from 4:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just a couple driveways up from the Concord, CA corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. There are no dues, nor is there any purchase required (but it would be nice).

Beginning with this Wednesday's session, early birds will have a chance to solve a chess puzzle. First one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink! If you haven't been by in a while, the weather's going to get better, and the company's quite good, as usual!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday Sept. 12th at Starbucks !!

Hi Everyone . . . !!

There's also fun, challenging chess over the boards every Sunday now at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA (just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord, CA.) ! Come by anytime between 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and enjoy chess with players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to experts and masters!

Despite the brutal heat last Sunday, at least 8 players dropped in to enjoy the air-conditioned coffee-house setting to play the game of chess indoors (usually players are seen both indoors and outdoors there). We welcomed Primo and his sister Jocelyn, along with Art S., Matthew (who brought his daughter Emmaline earlier); and, Irakli, Hasseb, Chris B., and Mike T.!

Join us this Sunday, September 12, 2021 -- and for early birds, there will be a chess puzzle to be solved: first one to solve it on the first try gets a free tall drink from Starbucks!!

We meet at the above Starbucks every Sunday and Wednesday, from 4pm - 8pm. Those who play indoors are requested to keep their pandemic masks on (unless eating and drinking, of course). Masks are optional for those playing outdoors, but players who are not vaccinated need to keep their masks on, with our thanks for their consideration.

There are no dues, nor is there a requirement to purchase anything (but it would be nice).

Stay tuned for news regarding our rated club tournaments, regarding format, time control, entry fee, prizes, and tournament date and venue. The US Chess Federation just today renewed my US Chess Tournament Director (TD) Certification for another term of 3 years, so get ready! To be eligible to play, players must be current members of USCF. Let me know if you need more info or help regarding joining or renewing membership.

See you soon!

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

CHESS on SUNDAY Afternoons at Starbucks, Starts this Sunday Sept. 5th!!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Our chess club now meets on both Sundays and Wednesdays at our Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, (just up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.)!!

Beginning this Sunday September 5, 2021, and every Sunday hereon, we meet at Starbucks starting at 3:30 pm thru to closing time! Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some very nice, interesting company.

As usual, there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice), and there are no dues. However, masks are required due to the pandemic if you're inside, unless you are eating or drinking, of course. Masks are optional outside, but those who are not vaccinated are requested to keep masks on.

See you there this Sunday, and/or have a very fine Labor Day weekend!!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Sept. 1st at Starbucks!!

Hi Everyone !

About 18 players of all ages and skill levels came by to enjoy chess over the boards at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd, Clayton, just a couple of driveways up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. & Ygnacio Valley Rd., in Concord!

We meet again this Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at our usual Starbucks noted above, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, more challenging fun...!

We welcomed 3 or 4 new players to the club last week, namely Sam C., Haseeb, Greg, and young Greg Jr.! On hand to welcome them were Tony T., Irakli, Ranen, Travis, Diego, Armen, Patrick, Max and Jon, Michael J., Serena, Maria, Chris B., and Mike T...!

Looking ahead, figure club quads or other types of USCF-rated tournaments can be expected to start happening sometime during September or October. Additionally, we may very well have a regular venue for chess over the boards on Sunday afternoons, and it could very well be our regular Starbucks place (meaning it's possible to have both Wednesdays & Sundays at our Starbuck!).

Stay tuned, and see you soon !!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Aug. 25 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

The weather's a bit better and more players of all ages and skill levels are coming by every Wednesday at our Starbucks venue for fun, challenging chess over the boards!

Join us this Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd. (just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.); come anytime between 4:00 p.m. and the closing time of 8:00p.m.

As usual: There's no purchase required (but it would be nice); however, face masks are required if playing indoors and when not eating or drinking. Masks are optional outdoors, but please wear one if you are not vaccinated.

Last week saw at least 15 or so players -- all enjoying the game of chess outdoors! Players included Tony T., Bob C. (long time no see, Bob C.!), Matthew, Mike T., John H., Armen, Art, Michael J., Serena, Irakli, Ranen, Alwyn, Cassidy (welcome, Cassidy, our newest player to join us!), -- and even Ronald dropped by briefly to observe some games and play a couple of whiz-blitz -- that's bullet vs regular blitz -- chess exhibition games (guess who won those) !!

Let me know in person whether you're interested in playing in our very own USCF-rated club matches within the next month or so . . . however, you must be a current member of the US Chess Federation to play in any USCF-rated tournament of any size in the USA. For our club, expect the time control to be G/45d5. More info regarding venue, time, entry fees, etc. will take shape,depending on the number of players interested. After all, it will be our first one since the pandemic thing all started. Let me know if you need help or info joining the USCF, or just go on line to join or renew.

See you soon!

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

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday August 18th!

Hi Everyone . . . !!

Join us once again, or for the first time, for challenging chess over the boards at our regular venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, this Wednesday, August 18, 2021, anytime from 4:00 p.m. to closing time at 8:00 p.m.!  We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners and novices to club players, experts, and masters! 

Come by anytime, earlier the better for the better tables, and more matches!  There is no purchase required (but it would be nice).  However, due to the ongoing pandemic, Delta Variant and all that's been in the news, please wear face masks if playing indoors, especially if unvaccinated, whereas if outdoors face masks are optional.

Despite the ongoing heat wave last week, at least a dozen players came by for the fun of the game, plus to renew old friendships, and make new ones!  Players who came by to enjoy the game of Chess were Max, Irakli, Ranen, Diego, Jim, Tony, Eric, Maria, Mike T. and Chris Th., and newcomers to the club, Armen and Alexei ! 

Note:  We may also play on Sunday, Aug. 29 from 4pm - 7pm at a different location.  Please let check in with me for more information.

Looking ahead:  We will have USCF-rated club quad tournaments.  Venue, Time Controls, Entry Fees, etc. to be determined,  We've done these before, so stay tuned!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Aug.. 11 at Starbucks !

Hi Everyone . . . !! 

More chess players are joining our club each week! We meet this Wednesday, August 11, 2021 as we do every Wednesday, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., just up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.

Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice company! There is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).

Last week, at least 15 players of various ages and skill levels came in for chess over the boards, both indoors and outdoors at our Starbucks venue! We also welcomed Serena, Irakli, and Travis to the club, and we'll have Alex K. as a new player very soon . . . ! On hand to welcome them last week were Mike T., Chris B., Maria, Matthew, Michael J., Mark, Alwyn, John H., Ranen, John S., with several continuing on to Diego's place quite nearby to continue enjoying the game of chess!

If you haven't been by in a long while, c'mon get your game up, renew old friendships, make new ones! If possible, bring a chess set and board. Oh, and a face mask too, owing to the ongoing pandemic, for wear indoors -- especially if you're not vaccinated -- or for optional wear outdoors.

Note: If you are up for playing chess at Diego's place on Sunday August 29 (9am-11am; 2pm-5pm), let me know so I can pass the info as to who and how many to Diego. 

See you soon,

 -- Mike T. 

Contra Costa Chess Club 

US Chess Federation ID 

#A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Aug. 4th at Starbucks !

Hi Everyone!

Despite the heat of the day last Wednesday, at least 10 players came by for chess over the boards, and we meet again with perhaps even more players this Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Starbucks, our regular venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., near the intersection of Clayton Rd. & Ygnacio Valley Rd, in Concord!

We now meet from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more matches, and time to renew old friendships and make new ones! 

There is no purchase required (but it would be nice); however, masks will be required if playing indoors.  (Masks are still optional outdoors. ) Stay healthy!

We will adding a meeting every 4th Sunday of each month on one of our member's spacious back patio!  If you are interested in playing there on Sunday morning and/or afternoon, August 28, 2021, please contact me and I will let you know the address.

Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome whenever and wherever we meet.  See you soon!

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

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday July 28!

Hi Everyone !

Chess over the boards happens every Wednesday afternoon and evening at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, is gaining more new players every session since we started back up this month !  16 players came by last week, with new players Michael B., Matthew R. and Jayden joining the group!  On hand to welcome them were Maria, Sebastian, Art S., Mike T., Rey, Tony T., John S., John H., Roger, Ranen, Chris B., Dennis, and Diego along with Diego's daughter Athena!   (Did I miss anyone? ) Nice to see players of all ages and skill levels joining us for the first time or returning after some time away from our venue due to the pandemic !

Join us as we meet again this coming Wednesday, July 28, 2021, from 4:30 pm - closing time of 8:00 pm.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables and more matches! There is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).  Wearing a mask is still optional if you have been fully vaccinated; however, if you have not been vaccinated, please wear a mask, especially if playing indoors.

Looking ahead, we may have an additional day and time to get together for chess.  Tentatively set for every 4th Sunday of each month, starting Sunday, August 22, 2021, Diego may be hosting chess players over at his house's expansive back patio area!  Stay tuned for more info as to time of day/evening, and other specs; and, by all means let Diego know you're interested in playing at his place, when you see him . . . !

See you Wednesday! 

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

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday, July 14, 2021 (We're Back!)

Hi Everyone !

Chess is back over the boards again every Wednesday late afternoon until closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.!

We start at 4:30 p.m. and wind up by 8:00 p.m.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the better tables and for more matches. Don't be surprised if there are other games to be played, but chess is the main attraction!

At least 15 players of different ages and skill levels came by last week to enjoy the game of chess once again in person.  At least that many or more will be there this Wednesday, July 14, 2021. 

There's no purchase required (but it would be nice) !  Masks are optional inside if you have been vaccinated; however, if you haven't been please wear a mask or notify others so they could put theirs on.

See you there, enjoy the game and the ambience, renew old friendships, make new ones!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF ID #A6024746

CHESS Club Meets Again in Person at Starbucks this Wednesday July 7, 2021!!

Hi Everyone . . . ! 

At long last, Chess players of all ages and skill levels can once again meet and play over the boards starting this Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, Calif., just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.! 

Come by anytime between 4:30 p.m. and closing time of 8:00 p.m. (earlier the better for the better tables) this Wednesday, get some games in, renew old friendships, make new ones! There is no purchase required (but it would be nice). However, please do not bring food in from other places, other than a small snack if necessary, in deference to our host, the staff of Starbucks. 

Need to wear a mask? Not if you're fully vaccinated. However, if you haven't been vaccinated yet, please wear a mask if playing indoors, for your benefit and that of others, owing to the pandemic's current events, e.g., Delta Variant and all. 

Let's get our chess sessions back as a regular thing, Starbucks on Wednesdays!! Yay!! 

If you have any questions or need more info, let me know. Thanks much! 

-- Mike T. 

Contra Costa Chess Club

CHESS: Club Still on Hiatus; but On-Line Club Tournaments Possible!

 Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short message to let you know our club, the Contra Costa Chess Club, still cannot get together due to the pandemic lockdown.  Once it's lifted and we can once again play over the boards at our usual venues (Starbucks & Mona's Bar & Grill), I'll certainly let you know.

However, if you are game to play in fun on-line club tournaments (e.g., blitz (5 min.); or rapid (less than 30 min. -- usually 10 or 15); or longer (30mins. or more), please let me know if you are interested, and for which time control(s).

The site would be chess.com; and the club is the one with the penguins labeled Contra Costa Chess Club.  If not a member, create your login and password; then, connect to clubs, select our club, go to members, add your username or how you want to be known.

Any questions or need for more info, let me know, or email John S. on our website, which has been on hiatus, as well.

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