CHESS this Wednesday Oct. 14th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Have challenging fun over the boards with us this Wednesday evening, October 14, 2015 at our usual place, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00p.m. - 9:00 p.m., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some great company!

Last week saw at least 10 players plus observers enjoy an evening of chess, and we welcomed back John H. and John S. after a while away, as Hans, Marcin, Hanza, Chris,Tony, and Mike T. were also on hand for the action, later reviving the age-old debate over whether it is better to have a bishop(s) or knight(s) during the end game . . .

. . . and don't forget, we're having a regular session on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., same place, as our club begins to add the last Sunday of every month to our schedule of set sessions!  For our first Sunday, we'll have a special guest chess master . . . any guess as to who it will be?

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS Wednesday Oct. 7th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess as usual over the boards this Wednesday evening, October 7, 2015 at our usual venue, 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 people!

Last week we welcomed Marcin and Ella to our group, and on hand to make them feel welcome were Rich, Tony, Chris, Priya, Hanza, John M., Mike T., and Bernard.  Mike T. played his first ever Chess 960 game, and weird as that version is, he just might be looking forward to playing more of it . . . Speed Chess 960, anyone?  How about a Chess 960 tournament?  If you're wondering what that's all about, drop by sometime.

Due to growing popular demand, we're bringing back club chess on Sundays, but only on the last Sunday of each month, starting October 25, 2015, same place, from 2:00p.m. - 5:00 p.m.  If there's a need for more space, we can always go across the parking lot to Carl's Jr.!

If you enjoy chess, regular players can tell you we have it at all skill levels, and we have some fun with it, so if you haven't been by in a while, come on and join us, say hello, tell us how you've been.

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

Chess this Wednesday Sept. 30 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess as usual over the boards this Wednesday evening, September 30, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at our usual venue, 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 company!

Starting next month, on October 25, 2015, we're adding a session to take place 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on the afternoon of the last Sunday of each month at the Starbucks above, or if there is a need for more space, we can always move to the Carl's Jr. across the parking lot.

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday Sept. 23rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's more chess over the boards at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., this Wednesday evening,  September 23, 2015, 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 nice and interesting company!

CHESS EXHIBITION

Last Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2015, despite some notable no-shows, more than a dozen chess players and rooters enjoyed a special chess exhibition put on by International Master Ronald Cusi.  Ronald gave an interesting short lecture with a large demo-chess board to show how a queen sacrifice worked in a past tournament game.  He then engaged about 8 or 10 players in a simultaneous chess exhibition, winning on all boards and taking the time to give each player an analysis of his or her match with him.  After the simul, Ronald and several challengers had fun at speed chess, wherein each challenger got 5 minutes while Ronald gave himself just 1 minute . . . !  Kudos go to Lorenzo for squeezing out the only win against Ronald by some seconds as Ronald's time expired for the first and only time!!

The Contra Costa Chess Club's  thanks and appreciation go to IM Ronald Cusi and fellow chess master Manny Perez for making the afternoon fun and a success, as well as to all who were there to enjoy the afternoon, such as Hanza, Andrea, Lorenzo, Giselle, Tony T., Priya, Ron H., Sevien, Tamara, Alex, Mike T., Maria, Ariel, and Sebastian . . . !

SUNDAY CHESS ?

Several club players would like to continue to meet Wednesday evenings, and expressed a desire to meet on a Sunday afternoon from time to time.  As a result, beginning next month, October 2015, our club will meet every Wednesday evening as usual, and every Last Sunday of the Month from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. also at Starbucks, with Carl's Jr. across the parking lot available if more space is needed.  Therefore next month, we'll have a session on Sunday, October 25, 2015 . . . !

Any comments, questions, need more info?  Let me know, and thanks again!

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS Wednesday Sept. 2nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Chess over the boards continues every Wednesday evening at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., and so it does this Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting company!

Our session last week drew quite a crowd, including onlookers, starting with our newest player, Ron Howard, welcomed by our regular and returning players, some of whom we haven't seen in a while, like . . . Washington, who played Mike T. to a draw in quite an interesting match . . . and Christopher Y., who engaged Lorenzo in a couple speed games, then gave FM Rich K. quite a complicated game before giving in at the end, as did Tony earlier . . . and Hans edged Andrew in their match, while Young and Chris Th. both blundered their way into a hard-fought draw!  Priya got a game or two in along with her knock-knock jokes, and Bernard joined in to learn some chess basics from Chris Th. . . . yes it was a busy evening, complete with rumors about Howard Stern being Donald Trump's Vice President, and if that ever happens, well you heard it here first . . . !

Don't forget, Sunday Sept. 20th, at 2:00 p.m. at Carl's Jr. Restaurant across the lot from our Starbucks venue, IM-elect Ronald Cusi will be giving a brief chess lecture then will play as many players as possible in a simul . . . !  Space is limited, already 8 players have signed up or let me know, there's at least a dozen or so more spots still open, come join the fun. let me know ahead of time to assure you a spot in the simul, thanks!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS at Starbucks Wednesday Aug. 26th!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We meet again this Wednesday evening at our usual venue, Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., for chess over the boards in a fun coffeehouse setting, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some very nice, interesting company!

Last week's session saw an enthusiastic set of players, as we welcomed newcomers Kate and Robert and  Tamara and Sevian, along with returning players Andrew, Lorenzo, Chris, Priya, Mike T., Rich, Anthony, and Tony, with several players enjoying a platter of Starbucks goodies being passed around.  Anthony and Rich got in such a chess duel that they took it across the lot to Carl's Jr. to finish after Starbucks closed for the night . . . !

. . . and speaking of Carl's Jr., that's the venue for the Sunday, September 20, 2015 chess lecture and simul exhibition that will be put on by IM-elect Ronald Cusi, so put the date on your calendar so you don't miss out on the fun that would go from 2:00 p.m. - approx. 4:00 p.m. that day, and let me know soon as you can whether you will be playing in the simul, details posted on line last week, still there on our web site.  Space will be limited to about 25 players, and I already have more than half a dozen signed up for it, respond via reply to this email or call the number below, thanks!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS Wednesday Aug. 19th at Starbucks + a Simul Sunday Sept. 20th !!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess to be played over the boards in the cool, air-conditioned Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., this Wednesday, August 19, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 PM.  Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice, interesting company!

Last week's session saw a great group of chess enthusiasts enjoying the game, with FM Rich K., Lorenzo, Tony, Anthony, Chris, Hans, Mike T., Bernard, Ana, Robert, Priya, Maria, John, Maria, and Sebastian on hand to enjoy the contests in a fun coffeehouse atmosphere!

__________________________________

CHESS SIMUL SCHEDULED for SUNDAY SEPT. 20, 2015 with IM RONALD CUSI . . . !!

And speaking of fun, mark your calendars for Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across the lot from Starbucks) for a short lecture and then a simultaneous (simul) exhibition of chess matches with IM-elect Ronald Cusi . . . !  Ron Cusi has done this with our chess club on two occasions over the past few years, playing an total of more than 40 players, winning on all boards and drawing on 1 . . . !  Ron was also able to give a brief analysis for interested players.  He was later available for speed chess, giving most opponents 5 minutes and himself only 1 minute, and managing to win virtually every game!

The chess lecture is free, and playing in the simul will cost only $5 payable on site.  For the fun of it all, players who win in the simul receive $10, draws receive $5 back.  All proceeds will go to the Contra Costa Chess Club, for Mr. Cusi and to offset any expenses.

Respond to this email to reserve your spot for the simul, as space is limited, (approx. 20-25 players or so would be okay), or you can call or text the number below or let me know in person, as a few have already done.  Lots of room left, but please let me know as soon as you can, thanks!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation (USCF)
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wenedsday August 12th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's more chess over the boards this Wednesday evening, August 12, 2015, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at our regular venue, 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 and interesting company!

Last week we welcomed yet another player new to the club, Lorenzo, as Carl, Rich K., Anthony, Chris, Priya, Hans, John S., Maria, Tony T., and Mike T. were on hand to get some good games in!  Tony gave FM Rich K. a run for it. only to be thwarted during the end game . . . !

Simul Challenge by IM-elect Ron Cusi . . . :  More info to follow, but would you be interested in participating in a simul match the afternoon of Sunday, August 30, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.?  If I receive more than 10 positive responses, it will happen!  Note, space will be limited to about 25 players so if you're interested, let me know real soon, thanks!

-- Mike T.

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday evening, Aug. 5th!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's more fun and challenging chess over the boards from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. this Wednesday evening, August 5, 2015, 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 and interesting company!!

Our session last Wednesday saw quite a mix of chess players, from novices to Masters, from the very young to the very . . . not so young . . . from players on the clock to players deep in thought without the clock, from speed chess to grueling, grinding matches ending in draws and slim wins, to wild and wooly chases of kings and queens across the dark and light squares . . . !

Not counting onlookers and kibbitzers having fun, there were at least 14 or 15 players that came by last Wednesday, including 3 new players welcomed to the club:  Nicholas, Josh, and Josh's son Jeremiah!  Enjoying the evening of chess with them were Rich K., Robert and Ana and their daughter Julia, Anthony B., Hans, Bill K., Liz, Chris T., John S., Maria, Priya, and Mike T., and Bernard!  The customary goodies toward the end of the session did not come about because Starbucks was sold out by then, yes it was that busy!

No word yet from IM-elect Ronald Cusi when he'll be able to conduct a simul exhibition, stay tuned, and if Ronald gets this email perhaps we'll get it on the calendar for one Sunday afternoon in late August or sometime September, stay tuned . . .

. . . By the way, after the chess group left for the evening last Wednesday, 5 players went over to Carl's Jr. across the parking lot to enjoy several hands of Pai Gow, just for fun and practice, not to mention a card trick or two, and a mention of chess here and there.

Come by and enjoy an evening of chess with us, see you soon.

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS Wednesday July 29 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

It's chess over the boards this Wednesday evening, July 29, 2015, 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 company!

Last Wednesday saw at least 8 or 9 players enjoy an evening of chess, with Chris and Andrew playing and splitting a couple of matches, as Bill K. took on Carl over a few games, as Rich K. and Anthony honed their chess skills over a tough problem before playing a match, while Priya was back from India and Germany to enjoy a game or two with Mike T. and Chris . . . with the evening ending up with, for chess players, a platter of goodies from the Starbucks counter!!

Come on by and say hello if you haven't enjoyed an evening with us in a while . . . while chess is the main course, there's always the social interaction that's also fun.

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

PS: Pai gow and blackjack strategies also featured this Wednesday evening.

CHESS Wednesday July 22nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Chess over the boards is interesting and fun every Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif.  There's another session of course this Wednesday evening, July 22, 2015, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

Our last session featured chess matches both indoors and outdoors at our favorite venue, with Bill K. and Hans and later FM Rich K. playing the air-conditioned indoors, and Anthony, John M., Mike T., and Chris T. as well as Rich K. enjoying the pleasantly warm outdoor tables. Chess Master Manny Perez also came by to visit, long time no see, Manny! 

The highlight of the outdoor games was a Team Alternate-Move Match (with no consultation or kibbitzing, but snickering or laughing out loud was allowed) between Rich and Mike playing the white pieces versus Anthony and Chris playing the black pieces.  The white pieces won, and I'm not sure but it may have had something to do with Mike being on that team, but I could be mistaken . . . perhaps a rematch or a switch of team members next time!

IM-elect Ronald Cusi confirmed in a recent phone conversation with me that he would be holding another simultaneous challenge session one of these summer Sundays at either our Starbucks, or across the parking lot at Carl's Jr., as he did once before, when he played about 20 players at the same time, winning 19 and drawing on 1 table.  Ronald also played several speed chase games, allowing each challenger rated under 2000 five full minutes and while giving himself only one (above 2000 he gave himself two or three).  My recollection is that he did not lose a single one of those blitz games.  Once Ronald lets me know which Sunday, probably one in mid-to-late-August, I'll let everyone know by email the details, and request that you let me know right away if you're going to play him in the simul, as space would probably be limited to 20 or so.

Thanks much,

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS Weds. July 1st + News on Quads!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess over the boards as usual at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., this Wednesday evening from 6pm - 9pm, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

Last week's session was not only fun with Rich, Carl, Tony, Anthony, Hans, John S., and Mike T. among the players, but also quite informative, as FM Rich K. is always open to analyzing the game you just played against him!  Rich remembers playing 6-time National Chess Champion Walter Browne several times in past tournaments, and winning a match in which Browne resigned before Rich could checkmate him in about two more moves!  (Most of the chess world has heard or seen the news by now that Walter Browne passed away at the age of 66 a week ago, in between matches at the 50th Anniversary USCF National Open in Las Vegas, Nevada.)

Our club will be hosting official USCF-rated Chess Quads!  TD Anthony Blessing; Asst. TD Mike Treshler; 

When:  Saturday August 1st, 2015 up to max of 3 Quads, 4 players each;  Entry fee:  $17.50 covers prize fund and USCF fee, cash only either in advance or on site.  Each Quad 3-RR G/45 d5; Start Times:  10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:15.  1st and 2nd Place each Quad $35 & $22; 

Location: A very short walk or ride from our usual Starbucks location , at a site to be determined.  the address will be announced by email and/or phone to first 12 players responding by email  to contracostachess@gmail.com or to (925) 334-0081. 

Each player needs to bring his or her own chess set and clock - none are supplied.  Bottled water and snacks will be provided or bring your own; no smoking or alcohol indoors on site; plus all kinds of restaurants are within easy walk or ride.  Unrated players are welcome, but must be members of USCF, membership available through this or any USCF club, or through USCF website www.uschess.org or call 1-800-903-USCF.

If you have any questions or need more info, send me an email or call the number below, thanks!

-- Mike T.

Contra Costa Chess Club

US Chess Federation ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday June 24 at SBUX !

Hi Everyone . . . !

Lots of chess over the boards is featured this Wednesday evening once again at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6pm - 9pm, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

We welcomed yet another new player last week, this time it's Carl who also let us know that our web site needs updating to show we now get together on Wednesday nights . . . !  Last week also featured matches between Carl and Hans, Carl and Ryan, Mike and FM Rich K. (going once again to another interesting end game, this time with each having same number pawns and one white-square bishop, and Rich with the more mobile king for his eventual narrow win), Ryan and Mike, and Carl and Rich . . . while that was all fun, we expect more players now that the weather is terrific and school's out . .  . summertime!

Quads late July, stay tuned,

-- Mike T.

CHESS Tuesday Dec. 23rd at Starbucks

Hi Everyone . . . !

We're having our chess session next week on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 due to popular request, as last week's session saw a great turnout that included Hans, Priya, Indira, Yong Cha, James, Chris T., John S., John H., Mike T., as well as, FM Rich K. . . . !

Additionally, the following week's session will also fall on Tuesday, that one being the 30th of December 2014 so as to avoid another holiday eve (New Year's Eve). We'll go back to Wednesday evenings starting January 7, 2015.

Would the chess club like to re-establish Sunday afternoon sessions? Let me know, thanks, and have a fun time during these next two weeks, Happy Holidays!

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

CHESS Wednesday Evening Nov. 5th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's lots of chess to be played over the boards this Wednesday evening, at our usual venue, Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00PM. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

The World Series is over ('Yay Giants!), and the chess club will have its weekly sessions as above, from here on out through to the end of the year, so come on by and enjoy the coffeehouse scene with the grand game of chess!

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