Tuesday, January 26, 2016

CHESS this Wednesday Jan. 27 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We meet once again this Wednesday evening, January 27, 2016, at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really interesting, fun company!
Several players turned out for chess over the boards last week, and we welcomed yet another new player to the club, Jeff W. . . . !  On hand to welcome Jeff were Bill K., Bob C., Anthony B., Mike T., John S., Robert and Ana (and little Julia), and Rich K. . . . !  Several of the players had just competed in the Golden State Open and shared a game or two from that tournament, then off everyone went into new games . . . that didn't take long, and it looks like more players will be coming to this next and subsequent sessions . . . !
We may be starting up an additional meeting date and location soon.  Stay tuned, as a restaurant within Walnut Creek would like to host a few sessions, for starters, of the Contra Costa Chess Club!  We'll keep you informed... 
In the meantime, we will re-institute our sessions held on the last Sunday afternoon of the month, starting next month, starting on Sunday, February  28, 2016, from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m . . . .
. . . and, if you haven't been by in a while, come on by, renew some old friendships, and make new ones.  See you soon,
-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746
(10th Anniversary Feb. 2016 !)

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

CHESS this Wednesday evening Jan. 20th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

First of all, congratulations and thanks for a very nice club turnout at this past weekend's Golden State Open Chess Tournament held at the Concord Crowne Plaza!  While there are a couple more rounds left to go as this is written, it appears that the experience of this yearly competition has been a fun one for most, and additionally a learning one  . . as the wins, losses and draws add up!

There will be even more chess this Wednesday evening, January 20, 2016, from 6:00 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 best tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting people!
Featured this week will more than likely be both some celebrating -- and commiserating -- regarding tournament results, with players welcomed to bring in their recorded games to be replayed and analyzed by fellow club players of all skill levels, whether they competed in the tournament or not.  The first couple regular club sessions are really fun, with lots of discussion regarding openings, tactics, end games, brilliant moves, nifty traps, missed chances to turn drawn or lost games into wins, and of course those tide-turning narrow escapes !

... and, based on a couple conversations at the tournament site, it looks like the Contra Costa Chess Club may be hosting the East Bay Open once again, later this year, schedule to be announced within a few months if there is sufficient interest, coordination, promotion, and some help in putting it all together again.  More info to follow in the weeks or months ahead, stay tuned!
We celebrate the start of our 10th year as an Affiliate Club of the United States Chess Federation, recalling the time when just six players (John S., Hossam, Rudy, Stewart, Mike B., and Mike T.) started the club, which gained its USCF affiliation in February of 2006.  The club has now more than 70 players who have requested to be on its mailing list; it has its own web site; and, it has hosted the East Bay Open twice, each time at the Concord Crowne Plaza.
See you soon,

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

Monday, January 11, 2016

CHESS this Wednesday Jan. 13th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . .

There's lots of chess over the boards this Wednesday evening, January 13, 2016, from 6:00 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 best tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting company!

At least a dozen players came by last week despite the damp, chilly weather to have some challenging fun over the chess boards. Some came by simply get a game or two in, others to practice for this coming weekend's Golden State Open, with 7 divisions, from novice to expert and master and the rest in between, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord, Calif. !  On board for last week's fun session were Bob C., Chris Th., Chris B., Rich K., Anthony B., Tony T., Mike T., John S., Tom D., and long-time-no-see Robert, Ana and Julia! 
If you haven't been by in a while, drop in and renew old friendships, and make new ones!

See you soon,
-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

Monday, January 4, 2016

CHESS this Wednesday Jan. 6, 2016 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Another interesting and fun session is in store for us this Wednesday evening, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. as players of all skill levels come by to practice on or off the clock for the Golden State Open.  The Open, with 7 divisions from novice to master, is scheduled for Jan. 15 - 18, 2016 at the Concord Crowne Plaza, and players have a choice of competing over 4, 3, or even just 2 days. 
More details available, just ask or come by the club session, or go to the web site of Continental Chess, which is running the tournament.
Our last session saw players Tony T. and Mike T. practicing gambit openings, along with Bob C. practicing games on the clock with Mike T. and Priya, with notations.  We welcomed Dan, who had his first club matches with us,which were with Rich K. and then Anthony B.; Priya got into a match or two with Kitty, then a game with Bob C. . . . Later Rich K. went over over various openings with Kitty as she might be playing in her first ever tournament . . . !
Whether or not you will be playing in the tournament, come on by anytime and say hello to old friends, or make new ones . . . the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting people.
See you soon,
-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF Affiliate Club ID # A6024746