CHESS this Sunday, October 6th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Just a short note on another hot day to say that there's cooling off at our regular Starbucks venue while enjoying the fun and challenge of chess over the boards! We're there from 3:00 p.m through to closing time, so players can come and go anytime, with new players of all skill levels coming by to make new friends as they play chess with or without clocks! There are no dues and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice to buy something). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first one solving it on the first try winning a tall Starbucks drink of choice!

See you there, and we may even have another one of those "Brain&Hand" contests for a prize or two!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join us this Wednesday, October 2nd for lots of chess over the boards, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon at our regular Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all skill levels can come and go anytime! There are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice to buy something). First one to solve a given chess puzzle on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday's session drew at least 20 or more players to the chess scene, as we welcomed a couple new players to the club: Tristan and Tom. There to welcome them were John H., Mike T., Benoit, Ben C., Red, Lou, Tony, Arun and son Arian; Natan and Dad Gene with sister Bella; David T.; Trey and Kassy; Adam M., Amit, Ranen, Jesse, and Eddie... Did I miss anyone?

Jesse and Eddie will be at our Wednesday session to once again greet those who will be extras (playing chess) in the movie they are filming this coming Saturday, and to be available to recruit more extras and to answer any questions. The day's food and drinks for all cast members and any parents for kids in the cast will be provided/catered! Sounds like an interesting fun day with chess as the theme!

So then, perhaps we'll see you this Wednesday, and don't be surprised if you make new friends, and even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Sept. 25th and Sunday, Sept. 29th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again for fun, challenging chess over the boards this Wednesday, September 25, 2024 as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time (8:30 p.m.) at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., right on the border of Clayton and Concord!

Players can come and go anytime; all ages and skill levels are welcome; there are no dues; and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice to buy something). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday's session saw at least 30 players enjoy the afternoon at the chess boards and/or simply making new friends, and yes, renewing old friendships! We welcomed Natan and his Dad Gene; and, Arian and his parents Arun and Leni; and another new player to the club, Matt -- all no strangers to chess. We also welcomed back, from a long absence, Vishwa (who solved the day's tricky chess puzzle, on first try!), there with spouse Tias! There to welcome them all were Benoit and son Luca; Dylan with Mom Ann and Dad Jonathan; Max, Mike T., Tony, Lou, Anh (with Dad Hanh), Ben C., Alex S., Daniel C., Jackson, David T., Red, Adam M.; Cowen and his Dad and friend; plus Jesse and Eddie (both scouting for extras to be background chess players in their movie)! Did I miss anyone?

Looking ahead, our club will hold a USCF-rated tournament either late October or no later than early November, stay tuned for details! So then, perhaps we'll see you this Wednesday and next Sunday, game for chess and to make new friends, and yes, perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday September 22, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

Our chess session last Wednesday saw at least a dozen or more players having fun with chess over the board, and this Sunday, September 22, 2024 will more than likely draw even more players to the game at our regular Starbucks venue, as we go from 3:00 p.m. on thru closing time as players can come and go anytime!

As I've mentioned, Jesse will be directing a short film involving chess for a film festival in the Bay Area in the near future. If you are interested in being an accredited extra in the film, by all means let me and especially Jesse and Eddie know. Jesse and Eddie will also be at this Sunday's session to be available to answer any questions you may have. Jesse is planning on filming with extras on Saturday, October 5th in Concord. He will also have the event catered with food and drinks that day for all involved.

See you this Sunday, ready to play, make new friends and maybe even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

As we do every Sunday and Wednesday, we meet again this Wednesday, September 18th, at our regular Starbucks venue, in the Clayton Shopping Center, near the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd., right on the border of Clayton and Concord CA. There are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice to buy something). All ages and skill levels are welcome, and there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with the first one solving it on the first try winning the prize of a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday saw at least 16 or more players enjoy a very nice afternoon of chess over the boards: Daniel C., Reza, Meredith, Kevin, Tony, Jonathan, Dylan, Lou, David T., Jackson, Benoit (with Luca), Red, Mike T., and Takrem, Jesse, and Eddie! Dan G. was also there early on, and passed out nice little reminders of his new Lamorinda Chess Club event scheduled for Saturday, October 19th, from 3:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. at the Europa Hofbrau restaurant in Orinda.

See you this Wednesday or Sunday both, and just know you'll have fun with chess and more likely also make new friends and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Last Wednesday's session of chess over the boards saw at least a dozen players come by for the fun and challenge of the game. We welcomed yet another player new to the club, and he is Amar. There to welcome Amar and get him into several games were Ben C., Meredith, Benoit, Tony, Irakli, Mike T., Bert, Alex S., Matthew, Mark, and Willie! This time it was Ben C. who was first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try!

We meet again this Sunday, September 15, 2024, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon. Many more players of all skill levels, from beginners to masters, are expected to come by to play all kinds of chess games, on or off the clock, at our regular Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, very near the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.

Our sessions start at 3:00 p.m. and go through closing time (8:30 p.m.) as players can come and go anytime; there are no dues; there's no purchase required (but it would be nice); and, there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! You will at least win new friends, and perhaps even renew old friendships --- see you there!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Sept. 11th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Wednesday, September 8th, at our regular Starbucks venue located in the Clayton Shopping Center at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., just a couple of driveways up from the nexus of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. We go from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players can come and go anytime; there are no dues, nor is there a purchase requirement (but it would be nice to buy something). All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters (and lately on Wednesdays, we've had a chess master drop in)!

We meet every Sunday afternoon as well, same place, same time, etc.!

Last Sunday's session was once again quite active, with at least 20 players at the fun and challenge of chess over the boards, with even a foursome finishing up a "Brain & Hand" match right at closing time! Seen at the chess boards were Kevin, David T., Ben, Daniel C., Suhas with sister Suhasra and mom Vandana and dad Pudri; Ranen with son Noah; Reza, Tony, Jackson, Irakli, Red, Alex S., Meredith, Matthew, Mike T., and Max, who solved the day's puzzle on his first try!

So then, stop by this Wednesday, get your game up, make new friends, even renew old friendships! There's usually a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

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

CHESS this Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Come by anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time to join us for the fun and challenge of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, September 8, 2024! Players come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Last Sunday's session saw at least 29 players and supporters enjoy the afternoon, with lots of chess, including "laser-beam chess," and even a side-game of Scrabble! In and around all the action were: Alex S., Matthew R., Dan G., Dylan, Jonathan, Anna, Daniel U., Mike T., Red, Trey, Kassy, new player Ryan, Ben C., Jackson, new player Archana, Reza, Tony, Max, Aaron, Fernando, Dan K., Ernie, David T., Cowan and Kaden with Erin and Pat; and, new players Jessie and Eddie... did I miss anyone?

This past Wednesday's afternoon of chess saw at least 8 players (Tony, Ben C., Red, Meredith, Matthew R., Mike T., and Alex S.) plus an extended visit by Nat'l Master (NM) Rich K.! Rich played a few games, and is always glad to analyze any part of your game. Rich works Sundays, but can join us on Wednesdays, so come by sometime on that day, and maybe get a friendly match in with a master and gentleman!

There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one who solves it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! So then, perhaps we'll see you this Sunday or Wednesday or both, and as usual don't be surprised if you make new friends and even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, September 1st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Have a great long Labor Day weekend, and safe travels to all...! However, if you decided, like so many others, to enjoy where you are, by all means enjoy a Sunday afternoon of fun and definitely challenging chess over the boards in a bright, social atmosphere! Just come by our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, September 1, 2024 anytime from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Last Sunday saw nearly 30 players and family members in, on and around the games of chess, so you just might want to come by early (plus we may have a visitor who will want to chat with players about filming a documentary on Bay Area chess clubs, to possibly feature our Contra Costa Chess Club)!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place. As always, players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). All ages and skill levels are welcome, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first one solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! You had to have been there at last Wednesday's session, because you would never have guessed who was first to find the solution to that day's puzzle on the first try! (The answer is in next paragraph below...)

Last Wednesday's session saw at least a dozen players over the chess boards: Tony, Meredith; Dylan and mom Anna; Ranen and son Noah; and, Benoit, Irakli, Alex S., Diego, Mike T., and Dan K. with his "Laser-Beam Chess Set." So then, who's your guess regarding who solved the puzzle on the first try? It was someone who didn't play a game of chess but chose to watch games, make some new friends, and then decided to try the chess puzzle, only to solve it on the first try: that was Anna, Dylan's mom!!

So then, perhaps we'll see you this Sunday, we'll have fun with games of regular chess, check out more of Laser Beam Chess, even throw in a "Brain & Hand" contest, and certainly feature the day's chess puzzle (but you may have to beat Anna to the solution). And, with all that, you'll probably make new friends and maybe even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots more chess over the boards this Wednesday, August 28th at our regular Starbucks venue, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players can come and go anytime; there are no dues; there's no purchase required (but it would be nice); and there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with a free tall Starbucks drink of choice going to the one who is first to solve it on the first try!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday, same place, same time, and last Sunday saw quite a few players of all ages and skill levels -- at least 25 or more players in all, playing chess inside Starbucks as well as on the tables outside! We welcomed a couple of players new to the club: Rodri and Fernando. It was fun to see Benoit and Irakli bring their families! So then, the chess players in the mix, playing all kinds of chess games, including matches both off and on the clock, were: Benoit and son Theo; Allen and son Samuel; Irakli, Ben C., Reza, Jackson, Matthew R., Cory, Red, Fernando, Meredith, Rodri, Daniel U., David T., Tony, Alwin, Kevin, Daniel C., Alex S., David B., Mike T.; and Jonathan and son Dylan...! Did I miss anyone...?

We even had a kind of "Brain & Hand" fun tournament, to possibly be completed either this Wednesday or at next Sunday's session... what were the teams again...? The fun prize: tall Starbucks drinks and Cake Pops to the winning team!

Join us this Wednesday, August 8th, and next Sunday afternoon, September 1, 2024 for more of the fun and challenge of chess over the boards! Come early if you can for the best tables, and be ready to make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join the fun and challenge of chess over the boards this Sunday, August 25th, at our usual Starbucks venue! Come and go anytime between 3:00 p.m. and closing time (8:30 p.m.) and, if it's anything like last Sunday, be among at least a couple dozen or more chess players of all ages and skill levels!

There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Tony solved last Wednesday's tricky puzzle. This Sunday will also feature a fun "Brain & Hand" contest (pairings approved by the organizer to ensure no team is overmatched) for the sweet prize of tall drinks and Cake-Pops for the winners!

See you there, and as always, be open to making new friends and don't be surprised if you renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

More than 20 players came by our regular Starbucks venue this past Sunday, August 18th, to enjoy an afternoon of chess over the boards! Young Sophia was there for the first time, with her Dad Bill, and she played some chess games with young Samuel, who was there with his Dad Allen and Mom Rochelle! There to welcome them and play all kinds of chess games (including "Brain & Hand") were: Ben C., Reza, David T., Kassy, Trey, Daniel U., Red, Mike T., Daniel C., Sam, Jackson, Julia, Meredith, Kevin, Lou, Alex, Jordy, and Cory! Did I miss anyone? A group of 5 chess players even went over to the Curry Bowl and enjoyed some rather tasty Indian food after chess!

We continue to meet every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon for lively chess over the boards, and all ages and skill levels are welcome! We meet from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., right on the border of Clayton and Concord. There are no dues; come and go anytime; and, there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice to buy something). However, If you have food and drink from other shops, please enjoy them, but on the tables outside, where chess can also be played.

Our next session is this Wednesday, August 21, 2024, same time, same place,and the number of players joining the fun on Wednesday afternoons is increasing, so do come by to enjoy the game, and make new friends, and even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 18, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Well more than a dozen players came by to enjoy chess over the boards this past Wednesday, and as usual, many more are expected for our Sunday chess session this coming Sunday, August 18th, at our regular Starbucks venue!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd., right on the border of Clayton and Concord! Players come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). Note: if you have food and drink products from other shops or stores, please enjoy them on the tables outside. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Wednesday we welcomed several players new to the club: Cory, David B., Zoey, and Matthew G.! Among the other players in the mix there to welcome them were Ben C., Red, Tony, Mike T., Irakli, Aaron, Meredith, Matthew R., Peter,and the father-and-son team, Jonathan and Dillon!

Speaking of teams, Meredith and Red paired up to challenge Cory and Zoey in a chess contest known as the "Brain & Hand," wherein, in turn, one player -- the "Brain" -- only names a chess piece to be moved (without specifying which if there is more than one available on the board), AND does not say where. The other player -- the "Hand" -- must then decide which named chess piece, if there is more than one available, to move on the board and to where. No other communication between Brain & Hand is allowed.

In the first match, Red was the Brain, Meredith was the Hand on one team; and, on the other team,Cory was the Brain, and Zoey was the Hand. The first match was lots of fun, as both teams got the hang of the game and laughed along with the audience's silly reactions to decisions made by both Brains and Hands. For the rematch, it was Meredith the Brain & Red the Hand versus Zoey the Brain & Cory the Hand. The rematch evolved, or devolved, into something resembling chess as Starbucks was about to close and chess moves somehow got Out-of-Hand, and yes perhaps even Out-of-Brain, too . . . but not without the joy and laughter that made for a fun evening!

Perhaps we will see you this coming Sunday to enjoy an afternoon of chess over the boards (and maybe even some Brain-Hand, along with some live keyboard music played by Robert and Red), and don't be surprised if you make new friends and even renew old friendships!

And, by the way, if you're game to play in an all day 4-rd USCF-rated tournament on Saturday, September 7, 2024 in Dublin, Calif.: (G/40;d.5); $2000 in overall cash prizes; All ages, Open Section 1500+; U1500; U1000, Starts at 9:00 a.m.Fallon Middle School at 3601 Kohnen Way, Dublin, Calif. Entry Fee $50 by 09/07/24; $60 if later. For more details check or google Emerald Hills Chess Club. They are adopting (coopting?) the name East Bay Open, the name originated by our own Contra Costa Chess Club back in the early 2010s. I do support most chess activities, and this is also a good opportunity for all our club players, especially those wanting more rated tournament experience, such as players who still have provisional ratings. I may even be one of the floor TD's there.

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Aug. 14th & Sunday, Aug. 18th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Our sessions of chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon are becoming quite active once again, as indicated by more players on Wednesdays, and even more players coming in for the fun and challenge of the game on Sundays! We meet every Wednesday and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, near the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. on the border of Concord and Clayton.

We always welcome players new to the club, so it bears repeating that we welcome players of all ages and skill levels; come and go anytime; there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice; however, try not to bring in food and drink purchased from other places, if at all possible, and have them instead on the tables outside).

Our session Wednesday of last week saw at least a dozen players enjoy the game: Ben C., a new player also named Ben, Trey, Cassie, Meredith, Bert, Aaron, Mike T., Matthew R., Angel, Tony and Red! There's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with the first one solving it on the first try winning a free Starbucks drink of choice. No player got the prize last Wednesday.

This past Sunday's session saw even more players come by, including one we haven't seen for many months (Jordy), another a few months (Daniel C.), and another for many years (Peter)! Along with Peter, Jordy and Daniel were a father-son team new to the club, Allen and young Samuel, with mom Rochelle! Also new to the club were Matthew H. and a very shy Willie, there with regulars Red, Kevin, Lou, Johnny, Ben C., Sam, Reza, Mike T., Angel, David T., Suhas with his Dad Prudri, and Robert with his new electronic keyboard with live music played by both him and Red! Yes, it was pretty active that day!

So then, perhaps we will see you this Wednesday, August 14th and/or on Sunday the 18th of August, same time, same place, to enjoy the games, and make new friends, perhaps renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Weds. Aug. 7th & Sun. Aug. 11th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon, this coming Wednesday, August 7 and Sunday, August 11, 2024 at our regular Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, which is just a couple of driveways from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., right on the border of Concord and Clayton, California! We go from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players can come and go anytime; there's no purchase required (but it would be nice), and there are no dues. All ages and skill levels are most welcome, from beginners to masters...

... and, in fact, we had a NM (National Master) drop in almost incognito this past Sunday!

Last Wednesday's session saw at least 10 players have a lot of fun with chess. We welcomed two players new to the club: Ezra and Aaron, and there to welcome them were Mike T., Tony, Ben C., Bert, returning player Angel, Red, Mark, and Irakli . . .

... and Sunday's chess crowd numbered at least 20 players, among whom were several kids game to play: Cowan, Tim, Anh, Serge, Suhas, and Trammy! They were definitely in the mix with Sam, Ben C., Reza, Max, Mike T., Brian, Kevin, Irakli, Tony, Mark, Red, Meredith, Anastasia, Prudi, David, and Rich K... did I miss anyone?

So then, perhaps we will see you this Wednesday and next Sunday, and don't be shy or surprised to make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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