CHESS at Starbucks Resumes this Wednesday, January 5, 2022!!

Hi Everyone!

Happy, Happier New Year 2022 to everyone as we resume our fun, challenging, over-the-board chess sessions this Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at our Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton (just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. & Clayton Rd., Concord, Calif.) !

Come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through the closing time of 8:00 p.m. Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Don't be surprised if some players are practicing for the upcoming 13th Annual Golden State Open Chess Tournament set for this month's long Martin Luther King weekend (Jan. 14-17, 2022) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord! There are several skill divisions in the tournament, from beginners to masters. Players can decide to play it over 4 days, 3 days, or even 2!! There's even a Blitz tournament included! If you need more info about it all, check the tournament out on line, or see me in person at our Starbucks venue.

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Dec. 29th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Despite the wet weather this past Sunday at least 9 or 10 players came by our regular Starbucks venue to enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards. Herb, Mike T., Ranen, Tony, Irakli, Olaf, Diego, Mike O. and Eric were there, and several tried to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first attempt, but alas, it was quite a tough nut to crack this time!

Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m. this Wednesday, December 29, 2021, for our last session of the year, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more matches, and some really nice company! Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice !

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

(Expect more players in the next few weeks before the 13th Golden State Open!)

See you soon. Have a great week and a happy New Year, 2022!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Dec. 23rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Holiday Greetings to all, and yes we've got a regular chess-over-the-boards session at our regular Starbucks venue this Wednesday, December 23, 2021!

Come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. until the closing time of 8:00 p.m. to get away from the shopping hubbub for a while, and to enjoy some good company -- players of all ages and skill levels -- and perhaps a surprise holiday treat or two!

Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Ranen has been the first to the solution on the first try a couple times recently, including this past Sunday... the next puzzle may have to be a checkmate in 3 moves instead of two! Other players having some chess fun last Sunday were Eric, Maria, Evan, Jaden, Irakli, Diego, Tony, and Mike T., with the latter two grinding it out for a good draw by closing time!

See you there if you're there, Happy Holidays again, and Happy New Year...!

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

CHESS this Sunday Dec. 19 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Chess over the boards has been quite active these last few sessions, rain or shine ! While last Sunday's session saw more than a dozen players, this past chilly Wednesday saw at least a dozen players, including Eric, Evan, Tony, Mike T., Olaf, Tom, Sam, Diego, Miguel (welcome, Miguel!), Maria, and Ronald, with Marzia and Mikey O. having fun just watching from time to time!

We meet again this Sunday, December 19, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue, come by anytime between 3:00 p.m. and the closing time of 8:00 p.m., we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice)!

Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A602746

CHESS this Rainy Sunday Dec. 12 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's nothing like staying indoors on a rainy day and playing chess over the boards. If you can't do it in your abode this rainy Sunday, by all means come to our regular Starbucks venue anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through their 8:00 p.m. closing time to get your fun, challenging chess fix!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, and we're located just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. & Ygnacio Valley Rd, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA.

Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice !

See you there if you're there,

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

CHESS at Starbucks this Wednesday December 8th!

Hi Everyone!

It was good to see Art and Sam again, Art (from surgery) and Sam (back from a long trip abroad), along with Evan, Eric, Diego, and Ranen, with Ranen thinking out loud through all candidate moves to arrive at the winning move to solve last Sunday's chess puzzle!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels as we meet again this Wednesday, December 8, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. on through the closing time of 8:00 p.m., at our usual Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in Clayton, CA, just on the border with Concord, CA.

Come early for the better tables and for more games, plus a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least a dozen players last Wednesday enjoyed an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards once again at our regular venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass, Clayton, CA, which is just a couple of driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord, CA.

We also welcomed Eric and Lori to the club! There to welcome them were Tony, Mike T, Diego, Irakli, Evan, Suhas and his Dad, and Ronald, Morgan, Andrew, and John S!

We meet again at the same venue this Sunday, December 5, 2021. Come by anytime between 3:00 p.m. through closing time of 8:00 p.m. for as much fun, challenging chess over the boards that you want! Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters. See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday November 28 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Last Wednesday's chess session at our usual Starbucks venue was a lot of fun, featuring classic chess, blitz games, and even some chess lessons and puzzle solving! There for the challenge of chess over the boards were Evan, Jeremiah, Tony, Mike T., Ronald, and Andrew. Not a bad showing for the day before Thanksgiving, and most of us continued into the late evening at the Carl's Jr. across the parking lot!

There's more chess over the boards again this Sunday at our Starbucks venue! Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m., the earlier the better for the better tables, more games, and some really nice company. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels. Players there early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday Nov. 24 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We will have our usual fun session of chess over the boards this Wednesday, November 24, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Get your chess fix in anytime from 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.and then have a fine, happy Thanksgiving Day this Thursday! Players arriving early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday Nov. 21st at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone ... !

There's more chess over the boards this Sunday, November 21, 2021 at our usual venue, Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord!

Come by anytime after 2:00 p.m. Players who arrive early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try ("touch-move!") to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Several players came by last Wednesday, and we also welcomed Ivan! There for the fun and challenge of it all with Ivan were Bert, Tony, Setsal, Evan, Diego, and Ranen. It was also quite nice to meet Alexei and his daughter Mira! We won't see Setsal for a couple of months, as we wish him bon voyage, a safe and happy trip across two continents and an ocean and back!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Nov. 10th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Come by anytime from 2:00 p.m. on for fun, challenging chess over the boards this Wednesday afternoon, November 10, 2021 at our usual Starbucks venue! We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., Concord, CA.

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! Players arriving early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try (touch move!) to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice ! Setsal solved last Sunday's puzzle, by the way, as we enjoyed the afternoon with him along with Art, Tony, Ranen, Evan, Haseeb, Chris B., Irakli, and Mike T. Come by early, if you can, for the puzzle, and for the better tables, more matches, and some really nice company!

There are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Though it's mainly social, coffeehouse chess, from bullet, blitz and rapid to classic chess games, don't be surprised to see some players practicing for upcoming local club and regional tournaments (e.g., January 2022's 13th Annual Golden Gate Open in Concord, Calif.).

See you soon,

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

Chess this Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least a dozen players of all skill levels enjoyed chess over the boards this past Wednesday ! Players included an IM, an NM, and of course the local DM ! On hand for the fun were Maria, Andrew, Ronald, Olaf, Setsal, Bert, Irakli, Sam, Evan, Jeremiah, Rich, and Mike T. We also wish Sam a safe and enjoyable journey to and from India !

Join us this Sunday, November 7, 2021 anytime after 2:00 p.m. for chess at our regular Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just a couple of driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord, CA. There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Players arriving early have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try (touch move!) to win a tall Starbucks drink of choice !

All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experts and masters and all in between! Some players will be practicing for rated club games and even the large tournament (the 13th Annual Golden State Open) scheduled for the long Martin Luther King weekend in January 2022!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday Afternoon, Oct. 31 (Halloween) at Starbucks ? 1:00 - 4:00 pm!

Hi Everyone!

Owing to Sunday, Oct 31st being Halloween, an evening for kids and parents and for yet others staying in to give out treats to trick-or-treaters as soon as darkness falls, our club chess session will run only from 1:00 p.m. - no later than 4:00 p.m. at our regular Starbucks venue. Players can of course stay longer, if desired.

So then, come by anytime between 1pm and 4pm this Sunday, Oct 31 for your chess fix !

More interest has been shown for USCF-rated competition held by our chess club, as in rated Quads or other formats. The rated matches (using tournament rules such as "touch move," and having a certified TD available) are good practice for the large January 2022 tournament (13th Annual Golden State Open, in Concord, CA !). The rated matches will also give our unrated players their provisional ratings so that they are better set for the exciting experience of playing in their first major chess tournament within their appropriate rating or skill levels!

In case you missed the announcement, with full specs, for the 13th Annual Golden State Open, here once again is the link/website (if you have questions about it, just ask):

https://new.uschess.org/13th-annual-golden-state-open

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's more chess over the boards this Wednesday afternoon, at our usual Starbucks venue, with an earlier start now that night falls earlier along with colder weather! Come by anytime now between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.! We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord.

As usual, we'll have a chess puzzle to solve for players who arrive early. Solve the puzzle on the first try (touch move!) and win a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Announcement!: The announcement for the 13th Annual Golden State Open just came out! It's to happen on the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend January 14 - 17, 2022 in Concord, at the Crown Plaza Hotel (right by the Buchanan Fields Airport)! All the specs can be found using the following link:

https://new.uschess.org/13th-annual-golden-state-open

For our club's new unrated or new provisional-rated players, if you need help deciphering some of the specifications contained in the announcement, just ask me or one of our experienced tournament players, who will be more than happy to help. There's lots of time to practice and get some more rated games in before the Golden State Open ($25,000 Guaranteed Prize Fund, spread over several skill levels, from masters and experts to beginners)!

See you soon,

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

CHESS Earlier this Rainy Day Sunday, Oct. 24 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone !

Come by earlier, anytime between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. or so at our usual Starbucks venue (They close at 8:00 p.m.) this Sunday, October 24, 2021 for fun, challenging chess over the boards!

Players arriving early will have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try (touchmove!) to win a grande Starbucks drink of choice, since no player was able to solve the puzzle last Wednesday! Mike T. was on hand along with Setsal, Sam, Bert, Hasseb, Irakli, and Rich K. to welcome yet another new player to the club, Jeremiah!

A super-soaker rainstorm is expected Sunday, so we can expect to be playing indoors. (Carl's Jr across the parking lot is an alternate venue, if needed.) Please keep pandemic masks on if indoors and not eating or drinking. If the weather keeps you home safe and dry, perhaps we'll see you another time! For those game to play chess at Starbucks, drive safely!

We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., in Concord. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice).

See you soon,

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