CHESS this Wednesday, May 29th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least 20 players of all ages and skill levels came by to enjoy a great afternoon of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue. They were: High school grads Connor and Carter; Anh and his sister Trammy; Steve P., who we haven't seen in ages, with his little daughter; chess-playing mom Erin with her young son Cowen playing several games; Robert with his mini-keyboard; Red, chess player and keyboard artist also; Ju, new to the clut; and Mike T., Ben C., Kevin, Reza, Matthew, Mark, Daniel C., and Max H. who won a free tall Mango Dragon Fruit Starbucks beverage by being the first to solve the day's chess puzzle!

Our next session is this Wednesday afternoon, May 29, 2024, from 3 p.m on through closing time as usual, same place, all 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 to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

(We may even have an experimental, impromptu unrated either blitz or rapid tournament depending on who is game to play in a Quad with a time control of either G/5;d.2 or G/10;d.2 with other details to be agreed on by the four participants.)

So then, see you soon, and don't be surprised as you enjoy the game, you're making new friends and even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, May 26, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Several players enjoyed quite a bit of chess over the boards last Wednesday afternoon and evening at our usual Starbucks venue, with Ben C. earning bragging rights, being the first to solve the day's chess puzzle, albeit on a subsequent try at it!

More players are expected this Sunday, May 26, same place, same time (3pm to closing -- players can come and go anytime), as all ages and skill levels are welcome! There are no dues, there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice), and usually there's a chess puzzle to solve, with the first to do so on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

So then, perhaps see you there, have fun with the game of chess, make new friends, even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 22nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

This past Sunday's session saw at least 16 players enjoy the afternoon playing chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue, where we welcomed a few new players and an old friend of the chess club! We welcomed Richard, Julian, and MacKenzie, and there to welcome them were Chris S., Chris N, Evan, Ben C., Mike T., Kevin, Lou, Reza, Olaf, Irakli, Daniel C., and Jackson! We also welcomed back David T., a stalwart friend and avid club player who was with the Contra Costa Chess Club when it started more than 15 years ago!

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at the same Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, there's no purchase required, all ages and skill levels are welcome, and the atmosphere is quite coffee-house friendly!

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 puzzle was certainly not easy, and after several players had their go at it, it was Irakli who was first to solve it on his first try to win his latte!

We do have club tournaments, usually USCF-rated. Our next one, however, will be an unrated rapid tournament, which has yet to be scheduled for sometime in June. Please stay tuned for the details, which include the time control of G/10;d2.

In the meantime, do join the fun and challenge of chess with this club, and don't be surprised if you make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, May 19th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Just a short email this time to say we meet again as usual this Sunday from 3pm to closing time at our usual Starbucks venue. Last Wednesday's session saw Ben C. take bragging rights for solving the day's chess puzzle, albeit on a subsequent run at it! There with Ben were Bert, Evan, Alwin, Irakli, Mike T., Ranen and son Noah.

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same place, same time. Come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels welcome,there are no dues, and there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player to solve it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

The next club tournament has been pushed out to late June - more details soon! See you at Starbucks, and Sunday's weather looks really nice for chess even outdoors there!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Eight players decided to spend part of Mother's Day last Sunday over the chess boards, and more players of all ages and skill levels are of course expected at this Wednesday afternoon's session (May 15) as well as next Sunday's (May 19). We continue to meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon 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, very near the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.

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! Last Sunday's winner was Sam, and there with Sam were Max H., Daniel C., Tony, Mike T., Lou, Kevin, and Larry with his very young chess-playing grandson, Jackson!

While our next club tournament will be an unrated rapid contest, it actually may not take place until sometime mid-June if not enough players are available for it next Sunday, May 19, 2024 since it was just put out there last week. Stay tuned for confirmation of the details, as well as confirmation of the dateline. In the meantime, perhaps we'll see you soon as you get your game on, and make new friends, even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, May 12, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots more chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue this Sunday afternoon, May 12, 2024 as we meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time! Players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required. Be the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

It was Irakli who was first to solve the chess puzzle on the first try this past Wednesday, and along with him over the boards were Evan, Bert, Mike T., Red, Will, Daniel C., and Ranen with son Noah.

We're close to scheduling an unrated Rapid Tournament. Details so far are: Quads or Groups of Six; Time Control = G/10;d2 with two games per pairing; Entry Fee = $20. All entry fees returned as prizes for 1st & 2nd Places in Quads or !st, 2nd & 3rd in Groups of Six. Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across the side parking lot from Starbucks). When: Looks like the afternoon of Sunday, May 19th --- stay tuned!

Perhaps we'll see you very soon, and this Sunday promises to be fun, with -- as usual, all ages and skill levels welcome to play, make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, and it bears repeating (we get new players all the time) from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at our usual 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, Concord/Clayton, California!

Last Sunday's session saw about 20 players, including Yancy, Sam, Mike T., Ben C., Red, Evan, Chris S., Max V., Daniel C., Ranen with son Noah, Cowen with mom Erin, Chris T., Lou, Juan, Irakli, Colby and... did I miss anyone? Part of the fun and challenge of each session is trying to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try, with the first player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! No player solved it on the first go last Sunday, but Yancy got bragging rights for figuring it out on a subsequent try!

All ages and skill levels are welcome to the club, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, and there's no purchase requirement. We have club tournaments from time to time, and the next one may be an unrated blitz and rapid chess contest, stay tuned! Our next USCF-rated regular tournament will also be on the schedule, for sometime after the Las Vegas Chess Festival set for early June.

So then, perhaps we will see you soon at our Starbucks venue to get your over-the-board chess fixes, as you make new friends and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, May 1st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We had live, jazzy electronic keyboard music courtesy of Robert, Red, and young Alex this past Sunday along with lots of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue! On the keyboard were Robert and Red, and even young Alex! All three even played some chess along with Alex's family Jorge; Mihaela, Andre and Charlise; and newcomer young Cowen with his mom --- all welcomed by Kevin, Ben C., Samuel, Tony, Juan, Daniel C., Will, Yancy, Jackson, Lou, and Mike T. --- about 20 players, at least --- did I miss anyone?

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, 3:00 p.m. to closing time, 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 solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Interestingly, no player has solved the day's chess puzzle on the first try for the last 5 sessions! However, bragging rights this past Wednesday goes to Ben C. for solving it on his second go at it!

Looking ahead, we'll soon be scheduling an unrated rapid chess tournament, stay tuned for details. In the meantime, perhaps we'll see you soon, get your game up, enjoy the company as you make new friends, even renew old friendships!

--- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6034746

CHESS this Sunday, April 28, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Sunday, April 28, 2024 at our regular Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time for fun, challenging chess over the boards for 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). Be the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try and win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We also meet every Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place, and last Wednesday's session, unlike last Sunday's (which drew about 20 players), saw a good handful of players enjoy the afternoon and evening of chess. For at least 4 straight sessions now, no player has been able to solve the chess puzzle on the first try. Perhaps the next one will be much easier...?

Perhaps we'll see you Sunday, and there will likely be live music to chess by as you also make new friends, and even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, April 24, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon. Players come and go anytime, all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters; 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!

This past Sunday's session saw quite a few players, including several youngsters and adults brand new to the club: There was Claudia with Zafar; Laura with Felipe, Daniel, Catalina and Alejandro; and, Anh and his sister Trammy! Welcoming them were Mike T., Kevin, Reza, Daniel C., Sam, Tony, Red, Evan, Lou, and Olaf Once again, however, no player was able to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try...!

We may have, by popular demand, an unrated blitz & rapid tournament! Stay tuned for details, which would include players' not needing to be members of the USCF. In the meantime, perhaps we'll see you soon to help iron out the details as you get your game up, make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 17th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Last Sunday's session saw well over a dozen chess players enjoy an afternoon and early evening of fun challenging chess over the boards accompanied by live keyboard music courtesy of the talents of Robert Z. and . . . Red (!) -- who really wowed the Starbucks patrons, chess players and all, yes everyone, even the busy baristas!! They will probably be back next week for encores!

Our chess club also welcomed young Bruce and his Dad Greg, and there to welcome them and get them in a game or two were Mike T., Matthew, Red, Tony, Daniel C., Jackson, Kevin, Evan, Olaf, Ben, Benoit, Sam, Robert, and Mark. No player was able to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try, but bragging rights probably go to Evan for figuring out the key first move toward solving it!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. on the border of Concord and Clayton, CA. Our next session is this Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Players can come and go anytime. All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required. 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! We do have USCF-rated club tournaments from time to time, and the next one will be scheduled soon, so stay tuned for details.

So then, come see us, get your game up, make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, April 14th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again this Sunday, April 14, 2014 at our usual Starbucks venue to enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards... we start at 3:00 p.m. and, though players can come and go anytime, we have the place along with regular customers through to closing time and...

... and for the second Sunday in a row, Robert Z. will be on hand from about 4:30p.m. or 5pm to entertain everyone with live music as he plays his electronic keyboard! Additionally, anyone with keyboard music skills may shine his or her talents on the instrument, as well. (Last Sunday, a barista displayed her ability which also drew quite a few smiles!)

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, same time, same place, and as ever, 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 solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Last Wednesday's puzzle was indeed a tricky one, and no one solved it on the first try. (This Wednesday's puzzle will be a lot easier, more of a speed-test to find out who can solve it the quickest on the first try for the prize!)

So then, perhaps see you this Sunday - make new friends, renew old friendships, plus there's going to be live music, (there's even space for dancing), and definitely lots of fun challenging chess over the boards, so enjoy!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

More than a dozen players came by our regular Starbucks venue last Sunday and enjoyed not only an afternoon of chess over the boards, but also live music, courtesy of Robert Z. and his electric keyboard! Additionally, while Robert was on a break, one of the baristas even tried her hand at the keyboard, resulting in some very cool riffs!

We also had a couple new players, Mike M. and John M. (not related) come by to say hello, and Mike M. even got a game in. There to welcome them or play with or alongside players new to the club this time were Mike T., Max H., Mark, Irakli, Matthew, Tony, Ben C., Yancy, Evan, Daniel C., and Lou. Did I miss anyone?

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon, April 10, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday at the Starbucks located at the Clayton Shopping Center, on Kirker Pass Rd., just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd, on the border of Concord and Clayton, CA.! Players can 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 drink of choice!

Robert Z. (a keyboard artist and music teacher) and his electric keyboard will be back to entertain us and other Starbucks customers once again for a late afternoon into evening, next Sunday, April 15, 2024. Robert's talent is welcomed by the management of our regular Starbucks venue. And oh by the way, Robert is an old friend and no stranger to the chess club, as he used to play chess with us many years ago. He's back!

We'll soon be scheduling our next club tournament, which may very well be on a Saturday or Sunday late this month or early next month. Time Control this time will be G/30;d10. Stay tuned for more details! In the meantime, perhaps we'll see you soon for some fun, challenging chess over the boards as you make new friends, and renew old friendships!

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

CHESS & Live Music this Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

This Sunday, April 7, 2024, there will be lots of fun, challenging chess over the boards, with live keyboard music! Yes, we will have our regular chess session from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center Center. In addition, Ron Z., a noted keyboard player/artist/music teacher, will play for us and other customers during the later part (around 4 or 5pm on) of our session. It's being cleared with Starbucks and by the way, it won't be the first time there -- Ron used to perform there for us some 10 or more years ago and ... he's back!!

So then, perhaps make it a point to join us this Sunday! All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, there's no purchase required, come and go anytime, and there's usually a chess puzzle to solve, with the first to do so on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Wednesday as well for chess, same time, same place,and last Wednesday's session saw several interesting matches. There for most of the afternoon and into the evening were Ben C., Tony, Chris N., Sam, Mark, Evan, Bert, Mike T., and Irakli. No player solved the mate-in-two chess puzzle on the first try, though the first move was found fairly early!

See you soon, perhaps get your game up, or at least come by, say hello, make some new friends, renew old friendships, and ... oh yeah, this Sunday, enjoy the live music!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We continue to meet every Wednesday and Sunday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required. Be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free Starbucks drink of choice! Perhaps we'll see you there this Wednesday, April 3, 2024 for fun, challenging chess over the boards!

Despite the rather light customer traffic at Starbucks this past Sunday, being Easter Sunday, at least a dozen players came by to enjoy an afternoon of good company and the game of chess! Ben C. garnered bragging rights for being the first to solve the day's chess puzzle, albeit on his second run at it! There with Ben were Michelle and daughter Vivian, and several chessters such as Sam, Tony, Kevin, Reza, Mike T., Damon, Red, Lou, and another whose name I did not get, playing Lou outside on a nice, clear blue sky day!

Next Sunday, April 7, 2024: We'll have our regular session, same time, same place, but there will be an event that should bring a smile or two to all chess players and Starbucks customers at large. Ron Z., a noted keyboard player/artist/music teacher, will play for us during the later part (around 4 or 5pm on) of our session. It's been cleared with Starbucks, by the way, and it won't be his first time to do so there --- Ron used to perform for us some 10 years there, and . . . he's back! So, perhaps make it a point to be with us next Sunday afternoon, maybe get your game up, or at least make new friends, renew old friendships! See you soon!

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