CHESS this Sunday, July 30th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Several players came by a little later than usual this past Wednesday, with most staying to play chess over the boards until closing time! Three new players, Jonah, Durward, and Nancy were welcomed by Mike T., FBen, John S., Bert, Mike S., and Johnny H. (long time no see, Johnny)!

Our club welcomes players of all ages and skill levels, and there are no dues. We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. through to closing, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. There is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Though attendance has been fairly light this hot, hot summer, we nevertheless will have our next session as usual, this coming Sunday, July 30, 2023. Perhaps we'll see you there with your game up, and to make new friends and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 26th at Starbucks!

Hello All,

There were only a handful of players this past rather hot, sunny Sunday at our regular Starbucks venue, but it was really nice to see a couple of kids mix it up with the adults playing chess over the boards!

Kevin was there, along with Daniel and his girlfriend, as were Mike T. and IMRonald; and, young William, there with his grandmother; plus Anh who was there from his family's business next door (Munchy's Lounge). Most of us later went to Munchy's for some summer treats, and it was there that Ronald put on a blindfold and played a winning game of chess with the kids, to the enjoyment and amazement of several customers!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, and our next session is this Wednesday, July 26th, with a free tall drink to the first player who can solve a specific chess puzzle on the first try!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 23, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone...!

About a dozen players were on hand to play chess over the boards last Wednesday, another hot summer day, at our regular Starbucks venue. However, most of us had fun going next door to the Grand Opening of Munchy's Lounge, where several of us enjoyed some rather exotic, cold, very tasty smoothies! On hand for chess at Starbucks were Duncan, FrBen, Mike T., Ernie, Sam C., Matthew, Bert, Mike Th., Meredith, Anh, and Trmy --- and Meredith and Trmy even played chess at Munchy's!

We meet again this Sunday, July 23, 2023, same place, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, all ages and skill levels welcome, no dues, come and go anytime, no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

Looking ahead to August, we may have another USCF-rated club tournament, figure Sunday, August 20, 2023, same time control (G/30;d.10), . . . stay tuned for more details.

Stop by, have fun, make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon...!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Concord's Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. is where it's at for fun, challenging chess over the boards -- all ages and skill levels welcome -- every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing! No dues, no purchase required, come and go anytime! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice! We meet again this Wednesday, July 19, 2023, so come on by, get your game up, make new friends, renew old friendships!

This past Sunday saw 6 players each play 3 USCF-rated matches in a neat little club tournament that had an entry fee of $20-25 and a prize fund of $135. Tied for 1st Place and more than doubling their entry fees were Tony and Ben C. with 2 wins and a draw apiece; and, 2nd Place went to Kevin, who had 2 wins and also made a profit! Ron C., Mike T., and Dale C. rounded out the field, as everyone in it to win it enjoyed some pretty good games and had fun. Where was everyone else who expressed interest? Anyways, we'll have another set or two sometime mid to late August, so stay tuned!

It was also good to see Max, Juliana, Anh and Trmy come by to play some chess later in the afternoon, and was it ever at hot, hot temperatures outside!

See you soon, stay cool and healthy,

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #6024746

CHESS this Sunday, July 16, 2013 at Carl's Jr. & Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's chess over the boards as usual at our regular Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time this Sunday, July 16, 2023. However, USCF-rated matches begin at 12:30 p.m. at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from Starbucks.

If there are not enough players at Carl's Jr. to make either a Quad or group of 6, unrated matches can be played, and entry fees will be returned. To compete in rated matches, the posted entry fee is $20 paid before Sunday, $25 if paid on Sunday. In addition, players must be current members of the US Chess Federation. Time Control, as posted, = G/30;d.10.

Last Wednesday's session saw at least 9 players enjoy the afternoon of fun, challenging chess! We welcomed yet another player new to the club, a fellow by name of Moses, and there to welcome him were Tony, Matthew, Mike T., Ben C., Bert, Mike S., Ben, and Alwin (long time no see, Alwin!).

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, 3:00 p.m. to closing, at the Starbucks at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd, in the Clayton Shopping Center. All ages and skill levels welcome, no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 12th at Starbucks!

Hello All!

We do meet again this Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at our regular Starbucks venue, same time, 3:00 p.m. through to closing. All ages and skill levels welcome, come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on the first try wins a free Starbucks beverage of choice!

I also encourage you to attend our next USCF-rated Club Tournament at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant across the parking lot from our usual Starbucks locationon Sunday, July 16:

Time Control: G/30;d.10

Start Times: 1st Rd: 12:30 p.m.; 2nd Rd: NLT 2:00 p.m.; 3rd Rd: NLT 3:30p.m.

Format: Quads; or, Groups of 6 or more players; Swiss Pairing System.

Entry Fee: $20 paid on or before 07/15/23; $25 if paid on 07/16/23. At least 90% of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes: Quads: 1st Place $40; 2nd Place $30. For Groups of 6 or more players, amounts to be determined based on the number of entries, for !st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners.

Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, go online at www.uschess.org. For new members, your US Chess Federation ID # and name as listed on USCF rolls will be needed.

[Note: Players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe the matches, or play chess with other non-participating players at either Carl's Jr.Restaurant, or back at Starbucks.]

See you this Wednesday July 12 and/or Sunday July 16...!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

About a dozen players enjoyed chess over the boards this past Wednesday, including young William, who was there with mom Rochelle and little sister Ella; Tony, Sam C., Ben C., Max, FBen, MikeT., Matthew, Ronald Ci., Ernie, Olaf, Dan, and John S.! Did I miss anyone? . . . and it was Max who solved the chess puzzle!

A top highlight of the afternoon was the matches played by Ronald against Ben C., FBen, Max, and Tony . . . simultaneously! The challenge, played for fun, was that anyone who could best Ronald in the simul (G/30) would win a Starbucks Grande beverage of choice; and that if Ronald beat all four of them, he would win a large pepperoni & mushroom pizza! All four players were tough opponents for Ronald who, as the results went, enjoyed his pizza and shared it as well!

We meet again this Sunday, July 9, 2023, at our usual Starbucks venue, as we do every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

Sunday, July 16, 2023 USCF-rated Club Tournament: G/30;d.10; 3Rds. Quads or groups of 6 or more players. Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant next to our Starbucks venue. Current membership in the US Chess Federation required. Start Time: 12:30 p.m. Entry Fee: $20 if paid before 07/16; $25 if paid on 07/16. At least 90% of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes, amounts to be determined based on number of entries. Let me know if you have questions or need more info, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, July 5th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Here's hoping everyone had a good 4th of July Independence Day holiday! We meet again for chess over the boards this Wednesday, July 5, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue! Players come and go anytime, no dues, no purchase required (but it would be nice). All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with a free tall Starbucks drink going to the first player to solve it on the first try!

The heat this past Sunday (about 103 degrees Fahrenheit) did not keep about 11 players away from the boards: Tony, Reza,Samuel, Mike T., Ben C., Jordy, Samuel, Ronald, Diego, Alexis (with her service dog), and Sam C. were there to enjoy the challenge and fun of the game of chess (Sam was the first to solve the chess puzzle, but it was on his second try, so close to his first!!).

We're having a fun USCF-rated club tournament Sunday, July 16, 2023 at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue! Here are the details:

Format: 3 Rounds; Quads or Groups of 6 or more players.
Start Times: 1st Rd 12:30pm; 2nd Rd NLT 2:00pm; 3rd Rd NLT 3:30pm.
Time Control: G/30;d.10 (30 minutes per side, with a 10-second delay per turn).
Entry Fee: $20 paid on or before 07/15/2023; $25 if paid on 07/16/2023.
Cash Prizes: As usual, 90% or more of entry fees are returned as cash prizes, amounts to be determined based on number of entries.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, go online at www.uschess.org.
(Note: Players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe matches, or play chess with other non-participants at either Carl's Jr. or back at Starbucks.)

Let me know if you have questions or need more info, see you very soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 2, 2023 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

It was so nice to see several kids come by to play chess over the boards with each other and with adults this past Wednesday at our regular Starbucks venue!

First there was William, who was with his Mom Rochelle and his younger sister Ella. Then, just when William left the chess boards, there came young Anh and his younger sister Mamin, soon followed by young Zachary and his younger brother Sammy (both students of mine in an after-school program) and their Dad!

All were welcomed by Tony, Mike T., Sam C., Ben D., Mike S., Bert, Meredith, Angel, and Ben C. (who solved the chess puzzle on his first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink!).

More players, possibly including a couple of masters, are expected to come by this coming Sunday, July 2nd, as we continue to meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). 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!

So then, come on by, get your game going, make new friends, renew old friendships! We'll even have a club tournament on Sunday, July 16, 2023 - see our Upcoming Club Tournaments page for more info.

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, June 28th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

This past Sunday, Sam C., Mike T., Tony, Kevin, Ben, and Jordy were on hand to welcome over the chess boards new players Dara, Devin, Dole, Tucker, and young Jackson! It was also so nice to meet Alison, who is Jackson's mom; Michelle, Ben's spouse; and Emily, who was there with Jordy and Darra! By the way, Sam C. solved the chess puzzle on his first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, 3 p.m. on through closing time. Players come and go anytime, no dues, no purchase required (though it would be nice). All ages and skill levels are welcome, from novices to masters! 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!

Looking ahead:

USCF-Rated Club Tournament July 16, 2023:

Location: Carl's Jr.Restaurant (across the parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue).
Format: 3 rounds for Quads; also for groups of 6 or more players, Swiss Syst.
Start Times: 1st Rd. 12:30 p.m.; 2nd Rd. NLT 2:00 p.m.; 3rd Rd. NLT 3:30 p.m.
Time Control: G/30;d.10 (30 minutes per side, with a 10-second delay per turn).
Entry Fee: $20 paid on or before 07/15/23; $25 if paid on 07/16/23.
Cash Prizes: as usual, 90% or more of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes, amounts to be determined based on number of entries.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, go online at www.uschess.org.

(Note: Players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe matches, or play chess with other non-participating players at the restaurant or back at Starbucks).

Let me know if you have questions or need more info, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, June 25th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Challenging and fun chess played over the boards is certainly the thing to do this Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. through closing time (players can come and go anytime) at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center just a couple of driveways from the corner of Concord's Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.

We also meet Wednesday afternoons, same time, same place. All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, and there is no purchase required. Players there early usually have 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's session saw Bert, Tony, Mike T, Tony, Sam C., Matthew, Red, John S., Mike S., and Ben mix it up over the boards! We never know whether at any session there will be less than 10 players, or 20 or 30 or more players, so come by and make new friends, renew old friendships, if you haven't been by in a while!

We'll have a USCF-rated club tournament in late July, with a time control of G/30;d.10. Stay tuned for more details, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, June 21st & Sunday, June 25th at Starbucks!

Hello!

As we meet for chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue, our next sessions are this Wednesday, June 21 and Sunday, June 25th. We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways from the Concord, CA corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.

Some of our club's players competed in the National Open, Las Vegas Chess Festival in Las Vegas this past weekend! While I don't know all the results yet, I can say my chess was a disaster(!) . . . however . . . I had a great time with new and old friends (both fellow travelers and several Las Vegas locals) at, shall we say, the Las Vegas "scene." It all made the trip worthwhile even though the late, late nights took their toll at the chess boards, but I'll probably be back next year, with a better chess game! (I think I've said that before, lol.)

Last Wednesday's session at our Starbucks was certainly fun, and included meeting yet another new player, Brian, with his wife Susan! There to enjoy the afternoon and early evening last week were Tony, Mike T., Mike S., Duncan, one of our two newer players named Ben, John S., Mark M., Irakli, and even Matthew dropped by to say hi with his daughters and little son, as did Erin and her chess playing sons Evan and Zane!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels. There are no dues. Players come and go anytime, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). 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!

See you soon and, by the way, we will have a USCF-rated club tournament sometime in late July, so stay tuned!

- MikeT.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024764

CHESS on Wednesday, June 14, at Starbucks!

Hello!

For fun, challenging chess over the boards, we meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. through closing time, at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., right on the border of Concord and Clayton, Calif., just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center! 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). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to do so on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

This past Sunday's session saw nearly 20 players and companions enjoy an afternoon and early evening of chess, with at least 2 more new players welcomed to the club: Lucas, with his mom Stacy; and, Ben with his wife Michelle! There to welcome them to the scene were: Kevin, Sam C., Mike T., Jordy, Roman, Aaron, Duncan, Meredith, Reza, Tony, Olaf, Matthew, and Sabina with her younger brother and her Dad!

Our next session of course is this Wednesday, June 14, and we expect to see at least a couple players practicing for the Las Vegas Chess Festival & National Open, which starts in Las Vegas this Thursday evening and winds up on Sunday. Other club players going are probably already packed and on their way!

Our next USCF-rated club tournament will be sometime late July or mid-August 2023. Stay tuned, and thanks much for your interest and friendship!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024764

CHESS this Sunday, June 11th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Last Wednesday's session saw at least 15 players come by for an afternoon and early evening of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue! We welcomed Kayla and her mom (visiting from Michigan thru Vacaville, we hope to see them again!), and with them for the fun and challenge of the game were Aaron, Roman, Red, Mike T., Yancy, Sam C., Vernon, Henry and his kids Ian, JJ, and Kayden, and Vernon as well as Diego! Did I miss anyone? Both Yancy and JJ, at different times, were able to solve the chess puzzle!

We meet again this Sunday from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, same place --- and several players might actually be there even earlier, to practice to be even more prepared for a rather large tournament coming up next weekend . . . in Las Vegas!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required, as players come and go anytime. 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!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, June 7th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Just a shorter note this time, to welcome new players young Angel, and Roman's bro Aaron to the club! Along with Roman, Angel, and Angel's Dad were Mike T., Tony, Fordy, Yancy, Kevin, Olaf, and Mark M. enjoying an afternoon of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue last Sunday!.

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, come and go anytime, no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink!

See you soon!

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