Sunday, January 28, 2018

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

Thursday, January 18, 2018

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