CHESS this Thursday Aug. 29th and Sunday Sept 3rd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There was quite a bit of chess over the boards last Thursday and Sunday, highlighted Sunday by Chess Masters Ronald Cusi and Emmanuel Perez adding to the fun with blitz games with Robert and Dmitri as several players and spectators looked on . . . among players Sunday were Ana, Mike T., Leo, Bill K., Chris, another Chris, Bob, Lilianna, . . . figure Ron and Manny will be back in a couple of Sundays to have some fun with us again and perhaps coach a player or two . . . !

In the meantime we meet again this coming Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 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 pretty good company!

And, while you're at it, please join us Sunday, September 1, between 2 and 6 PM for more chess.

So then, see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

Blitz Tournament in RichmondOctober 12, 2013

Mark Your Calendars!

The West Coast Chess Alliance, in conjunction with Hilltop Mall, presents a National Chess Day Speed Chess Tournament on Saturday, October 12, 2013.   All proceeds will benefit the “Chess in Richmond’s Schools Program.”

Prize Fund $400 (Guaranteed): 1st - $200 / 2nd - $120 / 3rd - $80

Location: Hilltop Mall Center Court
2200 Hilltop Mall Road
Richmond, CA

5 Round Tournament
Entry Fee: $10.00
1st Round: 1:00 PM
Registration: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
2 games per opponent (1 white /1 black) each round
Time Control: G/5 (Game in 5 minutes, no delay)

• Tournament limited to first 40 registered players
• Non-rated tournament, USCF Rules
• Chess sets provided
• Chess clocks not provided
• Pre-registration Encouraged

Tournament Director: Scott Mason
To download the Flyer, click here.

For more information contact: TC Ball at (510)439-6311 or thewestcoastchessalliance@gmail.com

Registration: Make checks payable to: Trendell Ball Consultants
Mail to: West Coast Chess Alliance
P.O. Box 20111
El Sobrante, CA 94820

CHESS Thurs. Aug 22 and Sun. Aug 25 at Starbucks!

Chess and good company over the boards, as usual, this Thursday August 22nd and Sunday August 25th at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Rd., Clayton, Calif.:

Thurs. 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games and a very nice setting and social milieu as well!

-- Mike T.

CHESS at Starbucks this Thurs. Aug.8 and Sun. Aug. 11th !

Hi Everyone . . . .!

Just a quick note to say there's chess over the boards at Starbucks this coming Thursday Aug.8 and Sunday Aug. 11 . . . seems that we've added Sunday afternoons as a regular session, with Bill Kelly hosting, while Thursday evenings' added attraction is the nice possibility of having a tray of goodies for players to sample during the last hour or so of the session . . . !

Where: as usual, Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton
Times: Thursday evenings 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m
            Sunday afternoons 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

At either session, come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and some really interesting and very nice company!

So then, see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thurs. Aug. 1st and Sun. Aug. 4th at Starbucks!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We're having our usual fun over the chessboards this Thursday at our usual venue, Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., at our usual time 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games and really nice company! I believe there might even be a platter of Starbucks goodies passed among chess players during the last hour or so of the session !

Last Thursday evening saw about 14 players come by for chess action over the boards, and we welcomed yet another new player, Isaac, who enjoyed a couple of games with our other newest players, Priya and Chris. Last Sunday afternoon had about ten or eleven players --- including two chess enthusiasts so nice as to drop in from Sacramento to see us, Mark and Scott C., who happens to be a division champion of last year's fall tournament in Reno, NV !!

The club will continue to have chess sessions on Sunday afternoons through the month of August. The sessions will run from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., with Bill K. aboard along with myself as hosts.

So then, we'll see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thurs. July 24 and Sun. July 28 at Starbucks!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's lots more chess to be played over the boards at Starbucks, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., as usual this Thursday evening (July 24), and a special session this coming Sunday afternoon (July 28, 2013).

Our Thursday session as usual runs from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and our Sunday afternoon session, with Bill Kelly and me hosting, runs from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. For either session, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some pretty good company!!

Last Thursday evening we welcomed Chris, a player new to the club but not to the great game of chess, as he aims to play more games over the boards, not just over the computer monitor! Chris will undoubtedly be meeting more players of various skill levels over the boards at Starbucks, where there were about a dozen chess enthusiasts last week.

This past Sunday saw about ten players come by to enjoy the game, with a cluster of players at the boards on the tables in the breezy outdoors on what turned out to be a nice afternoon, with some players choosing to play on the air-conditioned indoor tables. This coming Sunday session is the last of three test sessions to determine whether we should continue to have them on Sundays, based on player demand or interest.

So then, we'll see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thurs. July 11th and Sun. July 14th at Starbucks in Clayton!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Last Thursday evening saw about a dozen players enjoy an evening of chess at Starbucks despite the 4th of July holiday, with even 4 players continuing at Carl's Jr. Restaurant across the way for a few 10-min. speed chess matches! Last Thursday was also Monahar and Darmawan's first time to visit with us for a fun session of chess, and we certainly hope to see them again soon.

There's lots more chess to be played this Thursday evening, July 11, 2013, at our usual venue, Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. As usual, our regular session runs from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and good company!

Starting this coming Sunday, July 14, 2013 for the next three Sundays we'll have extra summer sessions, from 2:00 p.m. - 6;00 p.m., with Bill Kelly helping to host and play in each Sunday session. The addition of Sundays is a response to inquiries about having Sunday afternoon chess club sessions for those players who either would like to play more sessions of chess over the boards (as opposed to mostly on computers or smartphones), or for those who simply can't make it to the club on weeknights. These next three Sundays will help determine whether or not the Contra Costa Chess Club will continue to have such sessions for the rest of the summer, or perhaps even all year 'round . . . .

. . . . . so then, we'll see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

Norcal House of Chess Grandmaster Series

The Norcal House of Chess in Fremont is holding a series of lectures by Grandmasters.  Here are the details:

GRANDMASTER SERIES (Weekend classes for 1800 & above)

WHAT: Grandmaster Workhop (series of lectures, & analyses with a GM)! 

WHO:  PLAYERS (KIDS & ADULTS) WITH USCF RATING OF 1800 AND ABOVE

WHEN: JUNE 30; JULY 14 & JULY 21, 2013. 9:30- 4:00 pm 

I. Grandmaster Vadim Milov (June 30) – #1 ranked chess player from Switzerland. He used to be ranked #22 in the World! His current FIDE rating is 2643 while his USCF rating is 2715!

II. Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian (July 21) - For years, he has been the highest rated chess player in CA. An active player who represented USA in many Olympiad events and World Team Championships. He was also a coach for the US Team in several events. His current FIDE rating is 2609 while his USCF is 2685!

III. Grandmaster Dejan Bojkov (July 14) – A very active chess coach who used to train former Women World Champion Stefanova. A FIDE Senior Trainer who authored many dvds, books and written several articles for chessbase. His current FIDE rating is 2505 while his USCF is 2597!

COST:  $ 75.00 for each event; $ 140.00 for 2 events and $ 200.00 for all the events. Lunch & drinks will be provided.

Please sign up early since we will only be accepting a maximum of 14 people (or less) for each event. Everyone will be guaranteed to have their games analyzed by the GMs.

Please email us at castro.ted@gmail.com or call us at 415-756-1204. 

Here is a link to more information: 

http://norcalhouseofchess.com/?page_id=309

More Pics and a Game from Cusi Simul

Thank you to John S. for the pictures and Mike D. for his game from the Ronald Cusi Simultaneous Exhibition.  Enjoy!

Mike D. was playing on the board next to me.  The game was interesting and messy for a long time.  Cusi sacrificed an exchange for a strong passed pawn, but unfortunately in the end a fork won back his material and the game.

Some Games from USATW

Special thanks to Mike D. for sharing his games from the USATW tournament earlier in the year.  Michael was on the Contra Costa team "Bad Bishops Unchained".  Enjoy!

22 Players Attend Cusi Simul, Cusi Wins 21 and Draws 1

Thank you to International Master-Elect Ronald Cusi for putting on an excellent simul and lecture at the Walnut Creek Library.  Twenty-two players came and played against the master.  After about 4 hours and 15 minutes of play, Cusi had won 21 of the games and only allowed one draw.

Thank you also to the 22 players that took the time to come and play in the event.  Special thanks also go to Mike T. for making the initial approach and getting the ball rolling.  Thank you also to Emmanuel P. for helping coordinate things with Mr. Cusi and helping the event be successful.  Finally, a HUGE thank you to Jeff McC and Black Dragon Chess for helping with the location, advertising and providing sets for the event.

Here is a picture of the event (I will post more later as I get them, so feel free to send them in!):

I was fortunate enough to be the one to get the only draw.  Three of the younger players earned medals by holding out for at least 30 moves against the master.  Here is my game from the event:



Should anyone else wish to share their game or pictures from the event, please mail them in and I will post them.

Contra Costa Chess Club on Chess.com

Recently, one of our members (Pete K.) created a group on chess.com for the Contra Costa Chess Club. Even if you don't make it by the club on Mondays or Thursdays (and especially if you do), next time you are on chess.com look up our group and join!  This can give the club an opportunity to play matches with other clubs around the bay and around the world.

If you are not currently a member of chess.com, it is free to join. They offer live play and play by e-mail as well as a large amount of content to help you improve your game (my favorite is Tactics Trainer).

Should you would like to challenge some of us to a game, here are the user names of some of our members:

Mike T. - Zoomer350
John S. - mney
Pete K. - PJKchess
Scott M. - lonesage

Feel free to add your user name to the comments if you wish to share. :) Or just challenge one of us.

Special thanks to Pete K. for setting this up!!

Post Candidates Magnus Carlsen Interview

Here is an interview with Magnus Carlsen after the Candidates Tournament in London.  Magnus won the right to play in a match later this year against Vishy Anand for the World Championship.  The Candidates Tournament had the most exciting finish in memory with Vladmir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen tied going into the last round and then they BOTH lost their final round games.  Magnus won the tournament on tiebreaks.  Enjoy!

Carlsen Game from Candidates Tournament

Here is a great video from The Chess Network of Magnus Carlsen's win over Peter Svidler at the Candidates Tournament.  At the time of the Game, Magnus was one game ahead of Peter and Peter had been having a great tournament showing excellent preparation. Enjoy the game!

Mangus Carlsen Interview on BBC

Here is a great video of an interview that Magnus gave recently in conjunction with the Candidates Tournament that is going on in London.  Great press to the general public, but see if you can catch some of the errors made by the interviewer...  either way, enjoy!