CHESS this Sunday July 19, 2026 and Wednesday, July 22nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We/ve got lots of fun, challenging chess over the boards this Sunday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 22 for players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! Players can come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through to closing time; there are no dues; and, the first player who solves the day's chess puzzle on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! We're always welcoming players new to the club, and this past week we welcomed Brody; and, for our first USCF-rated tournament of the year that took place last Sunday.... Debra W! We also welcomed back Kwaku, who after a very long absence came by Wednesday along with Jonathan and Justin; and, let's not leave out Diego...!

Tournament Results: 9 players competed in our first USCF-rated tournament of this year: David T., Irakli, Ben, Tony, Nicholas, ChrisDave, Debra, Mark VL, and Zach! After three rounds of very well played games, many of which came down to thrilling end games, the results are as follows: 1st Place went to ChrisDave, who won all 3 of his matches (3pts)! 2nd Place went to Mark VL, who won 2 matches after a tough draw (2+1/2 pts.!). 3rd Place was a three-way tie, with Irakli, Ben, and Zach finishing with 2 points each! Feedback on the tournament was overwhelmingly positive, with several players anxious to play another rated tournament, even at the same Starbucks venue despite all the possible distractions that somehow was part of the fun!

The results of the tournament have since been reported to the US Chess Federation with Ben C. 's much-valued help, and the resulting new ratings will soon be sent or otherwise communicated to all players who participated! Thanks to all for making it a fun, competitive, and successful tournament day!!

Looking ahead, figure the next one we have will be sometime mid-August, yes next month!

See you soon, and be open to meeting and making new friends, and perhaps even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 12, 2026 and Wednesday July 15th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet for regular fun, challenging chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all ages and skill levels can come and go anytime at our main venue, the Starbucks located in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on his and her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! The last two winners have been Zack and Irakli, who may be playing in this Sunday's USCF-rated Quads!

USCF-Rated Quads!

However, this Sunday, July 12th, for those regular club players game to play in USCF-rated matches, we will be organizing two USCF-rated Quads that will start at no later than (NLT) 1:00 p.m.! Participating players must be at our Starbucks by 12:30 p.m. to register and pay, in cash, the $30 entry fee. Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.

Participating players must be current members of the US Chess Federation. Note: Players were polled weeks in advance, and several chose to play at our Starbucks venue despite possible distractions within the business.

Details: 3Rds; Time Control G/30;d10. 1st Rd NLT 1:00pm.; 2nd Rd. NLT2:30pm; 3rd Rd NLT 4:00pm. All rounds can start sooner than stated if all players are ready. Prizes to 1st and 2nd Places only, as follows: 1st Place $60; 2nd Place $50. Remainder of entry fees of $30 from each player goes mostly to the USCF for ratings, and maybe the TD might get an ice tea.

See you there, and be ready to make new friends, perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 5, 2026 and Wednesday, July 8th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join us for fun, challenging chess over the boards this coming Sunday and Wednesday afternoons (the 5th and 8th of July, respectively) at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! Come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. through closing time (8:30 p.m.) in a friendly, community coffeehouse atmosphere where you're likely to make new friends and perhaps even renew old friendships!

There are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on his or her first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! The last puzzle to be solved on the first try was this past Wednesday's puzzle, and Zach was first to solve it on the first try to win the prize!

USCF-Rated Quads!

Looking ahead, who's still game to play in USCF-rated Quads on Sunday, July 12 ??
Details: 3Rds; Time Control G/30d10. First round NLT (no later than) 1:00 pm; Second round NLT 2:30 pm (or sooner if all players are ready); Third round NLT 4:00 pm (or sooner if all are ready). Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.
Entry Fees: $30 per player, paid before the first round.
Prizes: to 1st Place ($60) and 2nd Place ($50) only, with remainder to USCF for ratings fee.
Venue: Starbucks, 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Station Shopping Center. Players have been polled in advance, and are willing to play at our Starbucks venue despite possible distractions within the business.

Let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

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