CHESS & Games this Wednesday April 18 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Once again there's lots of chess over the boards this Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:30p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!  And, maybe play or try other games, or bring your own favorite game.  For example, last week there was Cribbage, courtesy of Justin; and the week before aside from Chess, there were games of Chronology, Uno, and at least one of Smart A_s! 

Our last two sessions, one at Starbucks last Wednesday and the other at Panera Bread yesterday, drew a combined total of 27 players!  Our Panera Bread Restaurant session saw Tony T., Sol, Pamela, Berney, Andrea, Priya, Jackie, Nik, Bob C., Carl, Rowan, Hanza, and Mike T. have some fun, challenging games as showers came down along with the temperature in the late afternoon . . .

. . . While we meet every Wednesday evening at Starbucks, our Panera Bread sessions meet only on every 3rd Sunday of each month.  The next Panera Bread session, located at the corner of Bancroft Rd. and Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek, is set for May 20th from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  As usual there and at Starbucks, there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).  As for the club in general, which is in its 13th year now, there are no dues, and we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from complete novices to masters and everything in between.  Come by for the fun of it, meet new friends; and, if you haven't been by in a while, renew old friendships, make new ones!

So then, see you soon,

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

CHESS & Games this Sunday April 15 at Panera Bread Restaurant !

Hi Everyone . . . !

Every 3rd Sunday afternoon of each month, there's lots of chess and other games over the boards at the Panera Bread Restaurant, located at the corner of Bancroft Rd. and Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek!

This Sunday, April 15, 2018, as usual we go from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday March 14 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

With Daylight Savings Time now in effect, there's going to be even more fun chess challenges over the boards this Wednesday evening, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

Last Wednesday's session saw at least 14 players come by for an evening of chess and other games!  We welcomed two new players to the club:  Austin, a Go Game Master picking up the game of Chess; and, Patrick, who also found us on line and came by to get his game up . . . !  On hand to welcome them were Chris B., Chris Th., John B., John S., Howard, Tony, Nik, Bob C., Rich K., David, and Mike T. . . .

Note that this next Sunday, March 18, 2018, we have our usual 3rd-Sunday-of-the-Month session at Panera Bread Restaurant at the corner of Bancroft Rd and Treat Blvd in Walnut Creek, from 2:00 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.  We do play chess a lot, and if you have another game to challenge us, bring it!

As a USCF club we've been around now for more than 12 years, and we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from novice to expert and master and all in between.  All venues are handicap accessible, and there are no dues, nor is there any purchase requirement (though it would be nice).  What a deal, so then, get your game on, renew old friendships, make new ones!

So then, see you soon!

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday March 7th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's lots more chess over the boards at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., this Wednesday evening, March 7, 2018, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Come by any time, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

Last week's Wednesday night's session at Starbucks was another one of those chilly evenings, yet over a dozen players showed up for the challenges of chess . . . and some even played other games, such as Chronology, and even Scattergories... !

Looking ahead, the Contra Chess Club is in the process of establishing a regular monthly venue for rated Quads, so stay tuned for where and when... !  Additionally, the club will be organizing and publicizing a large tournament that will take place sometime this coming Fall of 2018!

Whether it be in weekly sessions, monthly meets, tournaments small or large, all players of all ages and skill levels are most welcome!

So then, see you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation www.uschess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 28 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Once again there's lots of chess over the boards this Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

Despite another chilly night last Wednesday, at least a dozen players came by to enjoy an evening of chess.  On hand for the games were Tony, Chris B., Howard, Amber, Reza, Dan, Bob C., Nik, Rich K., Jonathan, John S., and Mike T. . . . here's to warmer weather and daylight savings time ahead in a couple or so weeks!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to experts and masters and all in between . . .

... so then, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 21st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Lots of chess goes over the boards again this Wednesday evening, February 21, 2018, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif..  Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

Our afternoon chess session at Panera Bread Restaurant yesterday was a lot of fun, with some dozen or so players dropping by for the challenges of the game . . . Max and his Dad Jon were there to treat the group to Panera cake and cookies to celebrate Max's winning his division at the recent Golden State Tournament held at the Concord Crowne Plaza . . . Thanks Max, and once again, congratulations!  Also enjoying the afternoon along with Max and Jon were Pam, Berney, Priya, Jackie, Nik, Bob C., Tommy (visiting from Boston), Chris B., Reza, Mike T., and John H., whose chess and company we haven't had the pleasure of for quite some time!

While we meet and welcome all ages and skill levels weekly every Wednesday evening at Starbucks as mentioned above, we do the same every 3rd Sunday of the month at Panera Bread Restaurant located at the corner of Treat Blvd. and Bancroft Rd. in Walnut Creek.  Our next session there will be from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30p.m. on Sunday, March 18, 2018.

In the meantime, our club is working on putting together periodic rated "Quads," and later in the year, a Bay Area-wide USCF sanctioned tournament!

See you soon, come by and renew old friendships, make some new ones!

-- Mike T.

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

CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 13th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Chess over the boards rules the evening once again at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 13, 2018.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice company!

At least a dozen players came by last Wednesday evening for some fun, challenging chess games, with some of them being analyzed by the players even during the course of play . . . !

Coming soon:  Rated Quads, let me know if you're interested!

Also, next Sunday, February 18, 2018, we'll have our monthly session at Panera Bread Restaurant, located at the corner of Bancroft Rd. and Treat Blvd. in Walnut Creek, from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., as usual come by anytime!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 7th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note reminder that there's chess over the boards as usual this Wednesday evening, February 7, 2018, at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m..  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

As always we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from novice to master and all in between.  And, if you haven't been by in a while, drop in, get a game or two in, renew old friendships, make new ones!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

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

CHESS this Wednesday Jan. 31st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's the usual fun, challenging chess over the boards again this Wednesday evening from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif..  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice company!

At least a dozen players (usually there's been about 20)  braved the wet weather and sluggish traffic to get their chess fix at last week's session, highlighted by Tony T.'s battling Rich K. to a draw . . . !

There's still lots of time to sign up for the International Chess Festival set for late June 2018 in Las Vegas, but the deadline for the early bird discounts is this coming Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. . . .

  . . . There's a guaranteed pot of $100.000 spread among 8 skill divisions in the main National Tournament (Open Section; U2300; U2100; U1900; U1700; U1500; U1300; and, a separate section for Beginners and players with a USCF rating of under 1000!). 

 Additionally, there are trophies and goodies; and, a separate Youth Tournament for ages 14 and under, with a separate section for ages 9 and under, not to mention a Chess Camp and separate chess classes! There's also a Blitz Tournament; and, on the morning after the last chess match, a "Hold-em" Poker Tournament for all interested adult chess players!

 For details and/or lots more info, check out www.vegaschessfestival.com.  Note that you have to be a member of the US Chess Federation.  New memberships or renewals can be done on line at www.uschess.org or through any USCF Affiliate Club.

So then with all that, see you soon,

-- Mike T.

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

CHESS this Sunday, Jan. 21 at Panera Bread !

Hi again, Everyone . . . !

More than a dozen players came by our regular Wednesday evening session at Starbucks last night to enjoy an evening of chess despite the night's chilly temps outside . . . !  And, we welcomed back a father and son, both named John, plus we welcomed our club's newest players, Pam and her Mom, Berney, who also know a thing or two about another game called Backgammon!

Most of the players, including Pam and Berney, indicated that they will be at our regular 3rd-Sunday-of-the-Month session this coming Sunday, January 21, 2018, at the Panera Bread Restaurant, from 2:00p.m.- 5:30 p.m., in Walnut Creek at the corner of Treat Blvd. and Bancroft Rd.  As usual, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice, interesting company!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

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

CHESS Notes for This Week at Starbucks and Panera Bread!

Hi Again Everyone  . . . !

Just a message to let all know that at least a dozen or so of our regular chess club players who have fun with us over the boards on Wednesday nights at Starbucks -- and every 3rd Sunday at Panera Bread Restaurant -- enjoyed a weekend of wins, losses and draws at the 9th Annual Golden State Open held at the Concord Crowne Plaza this past Martin Luther King weekend!

And just so you know, as published by Continental Chess . . .

. . . -- young Max H. was the clear 1st Place Winner of his entire division (U1200), winning a cool set of big bucks, as in $1000 . . . !!

. . . -- Anthony B. tied for 1st Place in the Sunday Night Blitz Tournament !!

. . . --  Chris B. tied for 4th place in his division!

. . . --  Bob C tied for 6th in his division!

. . .  --  Kitty G. finished the tournament winning 3 matches in a row . . . !!

. . . --  All our other players there (including myself with 2 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws and a bye)  had  their respective shares of wins, draws, and losses, with I'm sure a plan to play and enjoy the challenge of next year's 10th Annual Golden State Open, also to be held at the Concord Crowne Plaza Hotel . . !

(Something to look forward to this November 2018:  Strong possibility that there will be another chess tournament at the Concord Crowne Plaza:  the East Bay Open III  ?)

See you perhaps at Starbucks and/or Panera Bread this week, as mentioned in a previous email,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

CHESS this Wednesday Nov. 1st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note reminder that there's more fun, challenging chess for all ages and skill levels over the boards this Wednesday evening, November 1, 2017, at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting company!

About a dozen players enjoyed an evening of chess last week. . . and note that beginning in this month's issue of The Diablo Gazette you will see our club listed in its Calendar Section. 

 See you again soon, and in the meantime, enjoy Halloween!

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.chess.org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Oct. 25th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

This Wednesday, October 25, 2017 we have our usual fun, challenging chess session with player of all ages and skill levels over the boards from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., come anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting company!

Last week's session saw at least a dozen players or more enjoy an evening of chess, with a few even preferring to be at the outside tables in conversation with other customers over various issues, including chess!  On hand for the evening were Yousef, Reza, Ann, Chris Th., Chris B., Howard (his first time with us at Starbucks), Tony T., Nik, David, Rich, Mike T. . . . and a special thanks goes to Chris B. for teaching a young lady some chess basics during the course of the session . . . !

Hope to see you there this Wednesday,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation www.chess,org
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Oct. 18th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's lots more chess as usual over the boards this Wednesday evening, October 18, 2017, at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice, fun, interesting company!

Despite the smokey air conditions due to the fires in wine country last week, our session last Wednesday at Starbucks still saw a dozen players settle in for an evening of challenging chess. Our session this past Sunday at Panera Bread saw another 15 players enjoy an afternoon of chess, and we welcomed two new players to the club!  On hand to welcome Howard at the start of the afternoon, and young Tyler later in the day, were Ken, Tony T., Sol, Chris B., Reza, Priya, Bob C., Jon and Max, John and Josh, Hanza, and Mike T. . . . !

So then, come by and see us as we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from novices to masters and all in between, renew old friendships, make new ones!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday Oct. 15th at Panera Bread Restaurant!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note reminder that there's lots of chess over the boards and maybe even other games this Sunday, October 15, 2017 at the Panera Bread Restaurant located at the corner of Treat Blvd. and Bancroft Rd. in Walnut Creek.  All ages and skill levels welcome, come anytime, we're there from 2:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

See you there,

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