CHESS this Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 at Carl's Jr. & Starbucks in Clayton!

Hi Everyone! 

This Sunday, September 27, 2026, there will be a USCF-rated club tournament at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant located just across the side parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue, in the Clayton shopping center!  For those interested, there will be at least 16 different coupons available, while they last, to be used towards Carl's Jr. special offers!

The competition is set to start at 12:30 p.m. 

Participating players must be current members of the US Chess Federation and are requested to be there at least 20 minutes before the starting time to register, pay the entry fee of $30 in cash (as all prizes are given in cash); and, be ready to start the chess clocks on time.  Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.

Format:  Groups of 6 or more players and/or Quads.

Rounds: 3 (Swiss Pairing for Groups of 6 or more; Standard Pairing for Quads)

Time Control:  G/40;d10. (40 minutes each player; with 10-second delay per turn).

Start Times:  1st Rd 12:30pm; 2nd Rd 2:00pm; and, 3rd Rd 3:30pm.  All rounds may start earlier, as often happens, if all players are ready.

Entry Fee:  $30 (in cash, please).  Almost all entry fees are returned as cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in groups of 6 or more; and, for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads.  A small amount is set aside for the USCF rating adjustments.

Note:  Visitors and players not participating in this USCF-rated competition are welcome to observe and/or play chess among themselves either at Carl's Jr. or, after 3:00pm, at our regular Starbucks venue, and are requested to not distract or disturb tournament players during their tournament matches.  

Thanks!

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

CHESS this Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 and Wednesday, Sept. 22nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet  every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime to enjoy chess over the boards in a friendly community coffeehouse atmosphere!

Last Sunday we welcomed at least 11 new players and family members to our club.  It was a pleasure to meet and greet Fred R.; Griffin G.; Angela; Al and Katie and their son August and daughter Dana and their kids' pal, Hajuri; and, Jorge and Columba and their son Jorge Jr.!  As always, when you join us for the afternoon, do be open to making new friends and perhaps even to the surprise of renewing old friendships!

The following Sunday (September 27,2026), we will have another USCF-rated tournament!  Participating players must be current members of the USCF.  Let me know ahead of time if you will be competing in the tournament, so that time can be saved in setting up the venue and initial pairings, using the established Swiss System.  

Here are the specifics:

Format:  Quads and/or Groups of six or more players.  

3 Rounds.  

Time Control: G/40;d10.

Entry Fee:  $30.00

Cash Prizes:  for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners in groups of 6 or more players; and, for 1st and 2nd Place winners in Quads.  Allocated amounts depend on the number of entries, as almost all entry fees are returned as cash prizes, with a small amount left for the USCF rating adjustments, with perhaps any amount left over for the TD's cup of tea.

Venue:  the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, located just across the side parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue.

Start Times: (possibly earlier than times stated below if all players are ready). 

1st Rd at 12:30p.m.. 

2nd Rd NLT (no later than) 2:00p.m.

3rd Rd NLT 3:30p.m. 

Note: Players not participating in this USCF-rated competition are welcome to observe and/or play chess among themselves either at Carl's Jr. or at Starbucks, but are requested to not communicate or otherwise distract or disturb tournament players during their tournament matches.  Thanks!

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

CHESS this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 and Wednesday, Sept. 16th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, to join us and enjoy playing chess over the boards in a friendly coffeehouse atmosphere! Just last week, we welcomed Ilicia and Bangu to the club, as we did Raul and another gentleman!

We're located at the Starbucks in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. Come and go anytime after 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. There are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the player who solves it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Let me know if you have any questions, just know that when you come by to play some chess, and sometimes even other kinds of games, you are likely to make new friends, and perhaps even renew old friendships!

And by the way...

Our next USCF-rated club tournament has been rescheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026. Depending on the number of players participating, the venue will either be at our regular Starbucks, or at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant which is just across the side parking lot from Starbucks. Format of the tournament will be either Quads or groups of six or eight players playing 3 rounds of chess, with the first round starting at 11:00 a.m. Time control is expected to be G/40;d10. Entry fees: $30. Almost all entry fees are used as cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of groups of six or more; and, for 1st and 2nd placers in Quads. A small amount is set aside for the USCF ratings, and if anything is left over, the TD (who might also be competing) might get a free cup of tea!

Please note: All participating players at the time of the tournament must be current members of the US Chess Federation. New members can join online at uschess.org

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

CHESS this Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 and Wednesday, Sept. 9th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!

Join the fun and challenge of chess over the boards this Sunday, September 6, 2026 as part of the long Labor Day weekend at our regular Starbucks venue, where we meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time!

Come and go anytime, and there are no dues as we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between!

There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Feel quite free to drop in, make new friends, perhaps even renew old friendships!

Looking ahead, we'll be having another USCF-rated club tournament soon, stay tuned!

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

CHESS this Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026 and Wednesday, Sept. 2nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone...!!

Chess players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, are welcome to come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time to enjoy the fun and challenge of the game at our regular Starbucks venue! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We're located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, which is just a couple driveways up from the intersection of Clayton Road and Ygnacio Valley Road.

See you there very soon, and along with enjoying the game of chess (and perhaps even other games) in a friendly community coffeehouse atmosphere, don't be surprised if you find yourself making new friends, and perhaps even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, Aug. 23 and Wednesday, Aug. 26th at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone...!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime to enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center! As an added feature, there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Last Sunday's session drew the most players we've seen this year, as there must have been between thirty to forty or more players, along with family, including several kids eager to play and get their game up, by the time it was time to go home!

Looking ahead, our next USCF-rated club tournament will be scheduled for Sunday, September 20, 2026 and will most likely be at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is located just across the side parking lot from our Starbucks venue. Stay tuned for all the details!

See you soon, and as always don't be surprised as you play chess in our friendly community coffeehouse atmosphere that you're likely to make new friends and perhaps even to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 16, 2026 and Wednesday Aug. 19th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00pm through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! Last Sunday was a bit unusual, as we had our USCF-rated club tournament at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant across from Starbucks. It was a pleasure to meet, as we do virtually every session, players new to the club, as we did Carlos and Diane and Tyler with his friend Alina! My thanks to all who made the tournament a success, and to all those who came to visit and stayed to play after the tournament!

There are no dues, and we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between, to come and go anytime to enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards in a friendly community coffeehouse atmosphere! In fact, last Sunday and Wednesday, several kids were there with their parents to play the game and make new friends. To add to the fun, two chess masters visited and got some games in with us: National Master (NM) Rich K. two Sundays ago; and, last Sunday, International Master (IM) Ronald C. who stayed after our USCF-rated club tournament to play several matches of speed chess, of course winning them all...!

Results of our Sunday, August 9, 2026 USCF-rated Club Tournament, featuring two Quads (Q1 & Q2), in the required round-robin format, are as follows:

In Quad 1, First Place went to Mark, who won all 3 of his matches! The other three Q1 players -- David, Irakli, and Ben -- each won 1 match, and split the Second Place three ways!

In Quad 2, First Place went to Zach, who won all 3 of his matches, including his third match which was with Tony, who wound up in Second Place after having won his first two matches! Rounding out Q2 were young Bennet, who won his last match, which was against Doug, who was there for his first time with our chess club, welcome, Doug!

Our next rated club tournament will likely be on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Stay tuned for the details, such as format, time control, etc. as we'll keep in touch, and perhaps see you soon to include making new friends and perhaps even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday August 9, 2026 and Wednesday Aug. 12th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We usually meet for fun, challenging chess over the boards from 3:00pm through to closing time every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at our regular Starbucks venue, located in the Clayton Station Shopping Center.  Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime, and there are no dues! 

However, this Sunday, August 9, 2026 will feature another USCF-rated club tournament!

Players participating in this our second club tournament of the year will need to be at our Starbucks venue before 12:15 p.m. to register and pay the entry fee of $30.  Depending on the number of players, the tournament may have to be moved to the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, located across the side parking lot from our Starbucks.  The following are the requirements and format details of the tournament:

1. All participating players must be current members of the US Chess Federation.

2.  Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.

3.  Players will be placed in either groups of four (Quads) or groups of six or more, depending on current ratings or the number of players, rated or unrated, registering.

4.  Number of Rounds: 3.  

5.  Time Control:  G/40;d5

6.  Entry Fee:  $30 in cash (with cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads; and for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place for groups of six or more players.  All prizes will be paid from entry fees, with enough left over to pay USCF for ratings adjustments, and maybe the TD might have enough left for a cup of green tea.

7.  Start Times: Rd 1 at 12:30pm; Rd2 NLT ("no later than") 2:15pm or sooner if all players are ready; Rd 3 NLT 4:00pm or sooner if all players are ready.

8.  Venue:  the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Station Shopping Center.  However, depending on the number of participating players, we may have to move to Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is located across the side parking lot from Starbucks.  This has already been cleared and approved by Carl's Jr. management.

Chess players not participating in the tournament are welcome to play each other or to observe the tournament, but are not to disturb or comment on the matches in progress.

We continue to welcome players new to the club!  See you soon, Sundays and Wednesday afternoons into the evenings, come and go anytime, and be open to making new friends, and perhaps to renewing old friendships as well!

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

CHESS this Sunday, August 2, 2026 and Wednesday, Aug. 5th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Players of all skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between, are welcome to join us for fun, challenging chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Station Shopping Center!  Players can come and go anytime; there are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the player who solves it on his or her first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!  Last Wednesday's puzzle looked easy but was tricky, however Red managed to solve it to earn bragging rights!

We're always welcoming players new to the club, and just last week we welcomed Pete and Michael; and, as well as Pete and Kane!  A Sunday or two ago, we welcomed Fahima to the club!

Looking Ahead: Another USCF-Rated Club Tournament Sunday, August 9, 2026...!

While there will be our usual fun chess afternoons and evenings this coming Sunday, Aug. 2nd and Wednesday Aug. 5th, players will be polled as to their interest in participating in yet another USCF-rated club tournament that will be scheduled for Sunday, August 9, 2026 starting no later than ("NLT") 12:30 pm.  Participants are asked to be at the venue at least 15 minutes early for the pairings.

Participants must be current members of the US Chess Federation.  I will need players' USCF ID# if I don't already have it.

Players must have chess sets, and a chess clock or access to one.

Format:  3 Rounds; Quads, or Groups of 6 or more players.

Time Control:  G/40;d5.  Entry Fee:$30 (with cash prizes to 1st and 2nd Place in Quads; and for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place in groups of 6 or more players).

Start Times:  Rd1 at 12:30pm; Rd2 NLT 2:15pm (or sooner if all players are ready); and, Rd3 NLT 4:00pm (or sooner if all players are ready).

Venue:  Either at our regular Starbucks or at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant located across the side parking lot from the Starbucks.  Venue will be determined within a few days and sent out to all by email and posted to the club's website.

Chess players who are not participating in the tournament are welcome to play each other as well, but are not to disturb or otherwise comment on the tourney matches in progress.  Any questions or need more info?  Let me know.  

See you soon, and be ready to make new friends, and perhaps even to renew old friendships! 

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 26, 2026 and Wednesday July 29th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Station Shopping Center, which is just up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd.!

Players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, are welcome to come and go anytime to enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards in a friendly community coffeehouse atmosphere. Last Sunday we welcomed back Rich K., a retired National Master we haven't seen in a while! There are no dues; and, there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on his or her first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Looking ahead, we'll have another USCF-rated tournament! When: Sunday, August 9, 2026, time and place to be announced very soon. The format will be 3 rounds, either in Quads or groups of 6 players or more, depending on the number of players that confirm that they will be participating. The venue (Starbucks or the restaurant across the side parking lot from Starbucks) will depend on the number of players who sign up. Time Control to be G/40;d10. Entry fee is similar to our previous tournament: $30. Cash prizes to 1st & 2nd Places in Quads; and, for 1st through 3rd and perhaps even 4th Places for groups of 6 players or more. Required: all players must be current members of the USCF. If you have questions or need more info, let us know.

See you very soon, and be ready as well to make new friends, and perhaps even to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday July 19, 2026 and Wednesday, July 22nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We/ve got lots of fun, challenging chess over the boards this Sunday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 22 for players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! Players can come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. on through to closing time; there are no dues; and, the first player who solves the day's chess puzzle on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! We're always welcoming players new to the club, and this past week we welcomed Brody; and, for our first USCF-rated tournament of the year that took place last Sunday.... Debra W! We also welcomed back Kwaku, who after a very long absence came by Wednesday along with Jonathan and Justin; and, let's not leave out Diego...!

Tournament Results: 9 players competed in our first USCF-rated tournament of this year: David T., Irakli, Ben, Tony, Nicholas, ChrisDave, Debra, Mark VL, and Zach! After three rounds of very well played games, many of which came down to thrilling end games, the results are as follows: 1st Place went to ChrisDave, who won all 3 of his matches (3pts)! 2nd Place went to Mark VL, who won 2 matches after a tough draw (2+1/2 pts.!). 3rd Place was a three-way tie, with Irakli, Ben, and Zach finishing with 2 points each! Feedback on the tournament was overwhelmingly positive, with several players anxious to play another rated tournament, even at the same Starbucks venue despite all the possible distractions that somehow was part of the fun!

The results of the tournament have since been reported to the US Chess Federation with Ben C. 's much-valued help, and the resulting new ratings will soon be sent or otherwise communicated to all players who participated! Thanks to all for making it a fun, competitive, and successful tournament day!!

Looking ahead, figure the next one we have will be sometime mid-August, yes next month!

See you soon, and be open to meeting and making new friends, and perhaps even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 12, 2026 and Wednesday July 15th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet for regular fun, challenging chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, as players of all ages and skill levels can come and go anytime at our main venue, the Starbucks located in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on his and her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! The last two winners have been Zack and Irakli, who may be playing in this Sunday's USCF-rated Quads!

USCF-Rated Quads!

However, this Sunday, July 12th, for those regular club players game to play in USCF-rated matches, we will be organizing two USCF-rated Quads that will start at no later than (NLT) 1:00 p.m.! Participating players must be at our Starbucks by 12:30 p.m. to register and pay, in cash, the $30 entry fee. Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.

Participating players must be current members of the US Chess Federation. Note: Players were polled weeks in advance, and several chose to play at our Starbucks venue despite possible distractions within the business.

Details: 3Rds; Time Control G/30;d10. 1st Rd NLT 1:00pm.; 2nd Rd. NLT2:30pm; 3rd Rd NLT 4:00pm. All rounds can start sooner than stated if all players are ready. Prizes to 1st and 2nd Places only, as follows: 1st Place $60; 2nd Place $50. Remainder of entry fees of $30 from each player goes mostly to the USCF for ratings, and maybe the TD might get an ice tea.

See you there, and be ready to make new friends, perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, July 5, 2026 and Wednesday, July 8th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join us for fun, challenging chess over the boards this coming Sunday and Wednesday afternoons (the 5th and 8th of July, respectively) at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! Come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. through closing time (8:30 p.m.) in a friendly, community coffeehouse atmosphere where you're likely to make new friends and perhaps even renew old friendships!

There are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first player solving it on his or her first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! The last puzzle to be solved on the first try was this past Wednesday's puzzle, and Zach was first to solve it on the first try to win the prize!

USCF-Rated Quads!

Looking ahead, who's still game to play in USCF-rated Quads on Sunday, July 12 ??
Details: 3Rds; Time Control G/30d10. First round NLT (no later than) 1:00 pm; Second round NLT 2:30 pm (or sooner if all players are ready); Third round NLT 4:00 pm (or sooner if all are ready). Players must have, or have access to, a chess set and chess clock.
Entry Fees: $30 per player, paid before the first round.
Prizes: to 1st Place ($60) and 2nd Place ($50) only, with remainder to USCF for ratings fee.
Venue: Starbucks, 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Station Shopping Center. Players have been polled in advance, and are willing to play at our Starbucks venue despite possible distractions within the business.

Let me know if you have any questions or need more information.

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

CHESS this Sunday, June 28, 2026 and Wednesday July 1st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, and our sessions are ever more lively as new players always come by to enjoy chess over the actual boards instead of just on their phones, laptops or home desktops! Expect to welcome more players new to the club this summer, to include players we haven't seen in a while!

We're located in the Starbucks within the Clayton Station Shopping Center, which is just a couple driveways up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. Players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between, are welcome to come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. thru to the 8:30 p.m.closing time!

There are no dues, and there usually is a chess puzzle to solve. The first player to solve it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Last Sunday's puzzle prize went to Jacob, and Chrisdave won Wednesday's prize!

We'll look forward to seeing you enjoy the fun and challenge of chess over the boards in an active community coffeehouse atmosphere, ready to make new friends, and perhaps even to renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, June 21, 2026 and Wednesday June 24th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Fun, challenging chess (as usual!) the afternoons of this Sunday, June 21st and Wednesday, June 24th at our regular Starbucks venue in the Clayton Station Shopping Center! Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. thru to closing time to enjoy the game of chess with or without clocks.

There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first player to solve it on his or her first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Looking ahead, our first club tournament of the year may very well be in early July, so stay tuned for the details! See you soon at the club venue, ready for chess and to make new friends and perhaps renew old friendships!

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