East Bay Open Results & CHESS this Dec. 12 and Dec. 15!!

Hi Everyone . . . there's fun over the boards this Thursday evening Dec. 12th 6:15 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon 2:00p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at Carl's Jr. located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., come and go anytime, start the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

Results of the 2nd Annual East Bay Open are in. Grand Master Enrico Sevillano successfully defended his title, winning the top prize of $1000 by finishing as a clear winner in the Open Section for the second year in a row! Manny Perez tied for 2nd place with Jimmy Heiserman, Vignesh Panchanatham, and Andy Applebaum, when Jimmy edged Ricardo de Guzman in a very tight 5th round contest. Full results are posted on the Club page of USCF web site - Click here for the full breakdown.

. . . And speaking of clear winners and perhaps a chess master of the future, we're proud to announce that our very own club player Dmitri Dobrynin was the clear winner, the absolute First Place finisher, the Champion (whose Chess Coach the past few months has been FIDE Master Ronald Cusi) of the U1600 Section!! Dmitri held his ground with 4 wins and 1 draw for a total of 4.5 points out of a maximum possible of 5 points, and saw his overall USCF rating rocket up by more than 200 points! In 2nd place right behind Dmitri was Bill Kelly, Jr., who had 4 solid wins against only 1 loss for a total of 4 points! Right behind Bill was youngster Jeremy Chen with 3.5 points and a clear 3rd place finish!

Young Hans Niemann, who plays in our club, shared 1st place in the U2000 section with Owen Overton of Walnut Creek. Our club player Nenad Zagorac found himself in the money circle once again, tied for an U1800 category of the section with Eitetsu Potharam, as Berkeley School's Andrew Mueckenberger took clear honors for 3rd place in the U2000 Section, with Sacramento's Conrad Cota in a tie for 4th with Ganesh Murugappan.

In the U1200 Section, Michael D'Alfonsi won a tough 5th round match against Karen Minasyan to force a 4-way tie for 1st place with Karen, Meiyappan Sathappan of Fremont, Calif, and one of our newest club players, Henry Benaid!

A highlight of the U1200 Section was a match between Chris Theodorou and Fred Tabisaura, with a Robby the Robot action figure as the King on Chris's side of the board. I won't say who won the match, but if sometime during the tournament you heard some strange little tinny voice cry out "Danger, danger, Will Robinson!!" . . . . . .

Worst spill of the tournament honors go to club player Stewart Spada, who nearly ruined his opponent's chessboard, and really did a number on the tablecloth with all that coffee . . . and who can forget Chris accidentally putting his right elbow in his glass of water, there went another board and tablecloth, as players nearby were nearly in tears trying to hold in their laughter . . .

Anyway, it was all fun, very challenging, and definitely a success, with much thanks to Chief Tournament Director Richard Koepcke, Club Tournament Director Anthony Blessing, and many others who helped promote and make the tournament something to look forward to again, others like Manny Perez, Ronald Cusi, Enrico Sevillano, Ricardo de Guzman, Nenad Zagorac, Scott Cameron, Bill Kelly, Jr., the kids, their parents, and our friends, and certainly all the players, every single one of them.

Thanks again, sincerely, and have a happy set of holidays and a terrific new year!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Sunday Dec. 1st & Thursday Dec. 5th at Carl's Jr. !

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's chess over the boards this Sunday afternoon Dec. 1, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., and certainly next Thursday, Dec. 5th from 6:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. at our new venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

This new venue for the Contra Costa Chess Club is just across the parking area from Starbucks. We now can have more space, larger tables, and more playing time. Of course, players can still have a match or two at Starbucks, but on their own accord.

For those players heading into next weekend's (Dec. 6 - 8, 2013) 2nd Annual East Bay Open at the Concord Crowne Plaza, this coming Sunday and Thursday sessions should be fun for practice or tune-ups, for players of all skill levels, and especially for first time tournament players.

For those who haven't sent their entries in yet, the flyer, and entry form are available from the link to the right.

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Nov. 21st at Carl's Jr.!!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Starting this Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, chess sessions as a club will in the foreseeable future be at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., just across the way from Starbucks in the same shopping center. Our club has grown quite a bit in number, creating a need for more room and a place which stays open much later, to the delight of players who will no longer have to cut their chess games short.

Meetings will start at the same time, 6:15 p.m., and will be open-ended, at least until about 12 midnight, when Carl's Jr. closes its doors for the night! No longer will we have to stop our activities as early as 9:30 p.m., plus we'll have much more space. We will also be moving our Sunday afternoon sessions over to Carl's Jr. As usual, players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

(The change in venue is a result of the fact, as I was told, that regular but non-chess playing customers have complained to the Starbucks General Manager that they haven't been able to get a table on Thursday evenings because of the growing number of chess players. Consequently, Starbucks has asked us to find another location. Of course, you can still choose to play chess at Starbucks on your own, just like other customers do as they camp out on tables there with their laptops, or books, etc. instead of chess sets.)

Note: We won't be meeting next Thursday, Nov. 28, which is Thanksgiving . . . our next session after that will be on Thursday, December 5, 2013, an evening of fun practice at Carl's Jr. Restaurant before the fun 2nd Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament set for December 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza ! If you haven't yet, get your entry in by Nov. 23rd to take advantage of the lower entry fee, check out our web site www.ccchess.com for the tournament flyer and entry form.

Thanks very much for your support of organized chess, and we'll see you at Carl's Jr.!!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Nov.7th & Sunday Afternoon Nov. 10th

Hi Everyone . . . !

More chess sessions as usual this week, at our usual venue at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton on Thursday evenings 6:15 p.m - 9:30 p.m., and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., and don't be surprised if a chess master or two joins the fun, as did Ronald Cusi and Manny Perez did last Sunday afternoon, and Rich Kelson a Thursday evening or two before that . . .

. . . and as the 2nd Annual East Bay Open set for Dec. 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza approaches, we'll have players of all ages and skill levels come by for practice, with the emphasis on fun, even as the clocks come out (also for the tournament novice or occasional player to get used to). . . and as an added special feature this coming Sunday, November 10, 2013, we'll have as our guest Richard Koepcke, Chief Tournament Director for the East Bay Open.

Entries are starting to come in for this year's East Bay Open, and along with the flyer and entry form, an Advanced Entries listing has recently been added - just click here to see who's signed up already.

Let us know if you have any questions or need more info.

Thanks much, and see you soon!

-- Mike T.

CHESS at Starbucks on Halloween?

Hi Everyone . . .

For those who aren't handing out candy for trick-or-treaters, Starbucks will still be open for all, including chess players who want to take in the Halloween scene over the boards, from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. this Thursday evening Oct. 31 at the Starbucks shop located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. . . .

. . . and on Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., several chess players as usual, plus it's always fun to meet and welcome new players . . . same Starbucks, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company -- and remember to bring your chess set.

-- Mike T.

CHESS this Thursday Oct. 10th and Sunday Oct. 13, 2013

Hi Everyone . . . !

We continue to meet for lots of chess fun this Thursday evening Oct. 10 from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon Oct. 13 from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 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 really nice company!

We've announced the 2nd Annual East Bay Open, set for Dec. 6 - 8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza Hotel! The flyer and entry form linked to the right. Check out our nifty box ad in the October 2013 issue of Chess Life Magazine (page 55) along with the Tournament Listing Announcement (TLA) in the magazine!

If you have any questions or need more info, just call at phone number below or numbers shown on flyer. Thanks very much for your interest and support for the grand game of chess!

So then, see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.
(925) 334-0081

2nd Annual East Bay Open - December 6-8, 2013

The Contra Costa Chess Club is pleased to announce that the Second Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament will be held on December 6 - 8, 2013.

This year's East Bay Open follows on the success of the first EBO, held in 2012. Last year's Open drew more than 100 registered participants, with ratings ranging from Novice or Beginner to International Master and Grand Master. Players competed in 4 different skill sections, for a prize fund of more than $5,000. First Prize in the top section was won by Grand Master Enrico Sevillano, of Tehachapi, California, who scored 4 1/2 points out of 5 to take home the top prize of $1000. First Place winners in the other three sections were Alexander Mariano of Martinez, California; Nenad Zagorac of Walnut Creek, California; and, Darmawan Ali Effendi of Pleasanton, California. Overall, a total of 31 players won prize money of varying amounts.

This year's tournament will once again take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord, California. The site of last year's East Bay Open, as well as the Golden State Open earlier this year, the Crowne Plaza has proven to be an excellent tournament venue, with quiet and comfortable playing rooms, plenty of space for post-game analysis, attractive and affordable guest rooms, and close proximity to restaurants and freeway access, with free parking and a free shuttle as available to and from the Concord BART Station.

This year's tournament will once again be a 5 round Swiss, with a 2 and a 3 day option. Players will compete in one of 4 sections for a total projected prize fund of $5,500 or more ($3,700 guaranteed) depending on the number of players. Advanced entry will be $78, for entries postmarked or otherwise received on or before November 23, 2013. For later entries and entries on-site an additional $15 is required, for a total of $93. Special hotel room rates for participants will be $84 a night.

For more information or details on the tournament and hotel please download the tournament entry form.

Reminder - Blitz Chess Tournament in Richmond Next Week!

Don't forget, the West Coast Chess Alliance's Speed Chess Tournament is just around the corner. Marking National Chess Day, the contest will take place at Richmond's Hilltop Mall next Saturday, October 12. While there have been numerous pre-registrations received (including, we are told, at least 2 masters), there are still slots available. Hope to see you there!

National Chess Day
Speed Chess Tournament
Saturday, October 12, 2013

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 at Starbucks Thursday Sept. 26 and Sunday Sept. 29 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We continue to have some pretty interesting chess challenges over the boards every Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Last Thursday some 17 players came by for the fun, which featured a dessert tray being passed around towards the end of the session, and Sunday saw nearly the same number of players enjoy an afternoon of chess, highlighted by IM-elect Ron Cusi taking on speed chess challengers just for the fun of it, capped by a group going across to the Hawaiian BBQ place for a nice meal!

Thursday evenings we meet from 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday afternoons we meet from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

At either session, drop in anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really, some pretty good company!

It's official! Our 5-round, USCF-rated 2nd Annual East Bay Open Chess Tournament (with 4 sections) has been scheduled for your choice of three days Dec. 6 - 8 (Friday evening thru Sunday) or two days Dec. 6 -7, 2013 (Sat. and Sun.) at the Concord Crowne Plaza. Chief TD will be Richard Koepcke, assisted by Club TDs Nenad Zagorac, Anthony Blessing, and yours truly!

Click here to download the flyer for all the details and an entry form. If you need to join the USCF or renew your membership, you can do so directly on www.uschess.org, or through your local chess club.

Note that players save $15 if paid entries are postmarked or otherwise given to me on or before 11/23/2013. For those staying at the hotel, book your stay by November 20 using Code EBO for the preferred rate of $84 per night. 

Thanks very much for your support of the grand game of Chess !!

-- John M. Treshler.

CHESS this Thursday Sept. 19 and Sunday Sept. 22 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We meet as usual this Thursday evening Sept. 19 and Sunday Sept. 22 for lots of chess over the boards 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 really nice company! Our times to meet are: Thursdays 6:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; and, Sundays 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

More new players are joining us, so if you haven't been by in a while, do drop in and say hello, maybe even get a game or two in and meet some new friends who enjoy the game. We've also had a few titled players with us (an FM and an NM last Thursday, and an IM last Sunday), along with players of all ages and skill levels, from novice to expert . . . and if you're with us this coming Sunday, there may be a group going over to the Guadalajara Grill for a fun, very informal dinner afterwards, so come join us and enjoy!

So then, see you at Starbucks!

-- Mike T.

PS:  Coming soon . . . our announcement, flyer and entry form for the 2nd Annual East Bay Open, with four sections, set for Dec. 6 -8, 2013 at the Concord Crowne Plaza !

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!

Candidates Tournament Starts Friday 3-15-13

For those that like to follow what goes on in the world of chess, starting this Friday the Candidates Tournament for this cycle of the World Championship starts.  The winner of the tournament will go on to face Vishy Anand in a match for the title.

Even though there is no American player in the running, there is still going to be some great chess with many of the top players in the world competing.

The tournament is being played in London.  It is a double Round Robin with the following players participating:

Magnus Carlsen - Norway - Highest rated person in the world/ever - Favorite to win
Vladmir Kramnik - Russia - Former World Champion
Levon Aronian - Armenia - Ranked #3 in the world
Teimour Radjabov - Azerbaijan - Ranked #4 in the world
Alex Grischuk - Russia - Ranked #10 in the world
Vassily Ivanchuk - Ukraine - Ranked #13 in the world
Peter Svidler - Russia - Ranked #14 in the world and winner of World Cup 
Boris Gelfand - Israel - Runner up in last World Championship Cycle

There will be a lot of opportunities to watch the games live with excellent commentary from leading Grandmasters.  The main site for the event is:

http://london2013.fide.com/

In addition to the main site that should have excellent coverage, other sites such as chess.com and ICC will have the games going with live commentary as well.  If you have never watched a tournament in progress, it is worth checking out.  The time difference works in our favor and the games are usually going on first thing in the morning our time.  

I will post updates occasionally during the tournament along with any excellent games played during it.

Update 3-19: After 4 rounds, the two highest rated players have pulled out ahead of the rest with two wins and two draws each (3/4 pts).  Those leaders are Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.  
Update 3-23: At the half way point, Carlsen and Aronian are still tied with 3 wins and 4 draws each.
Update 3-28: Three rounds to go.  Carlsen leads with 7.5/11 followed closely by Kramnik at 7/11 who pulled ahead of Aronian by winning his game in round 11.
Final: The last three rounds were crazy!  Magnus lost in Rd. 12 allowing Kramnik to pull into the lead.  In Rd. 13, Magnus won to catch up so he and Kramnik were tied going into the last round.  In the last round BOTH Magnus Carlsen and Vladmir Kramnik lost their games remaining in a tie at 8.5/14 points each.  The result is that Magnus Carlsen won on tiebreaks and will be the next challenger for the World Championship.  That match is set to take place in November of this year against current World Champion Vishy Anand.

Luxurious Chess Set For Sale

One of our members, Steward S., has a VERY nice chess set for sale.  Here are some pictures (click on any to enlarge):

The pieces are boxwood and Ivory.  The King is 4 1/8" tall.  This set is in excellent condition. Asking price is $300.  If you have an interest in the set or would like more information, send an email to the club address (below) and it will get forwarded to Stewart.  email: contracostachess@gmail.com

Chess Puzzle

Special thanks to John S. for sending in the following position from a recent game of his:

Black to Play and Win

Comments are set so that anyone should be able to enter one.  Please enter your "solution" and comments in there.  I will post the answer there after a week.

US Amateur Team West Results

Over the long Presidents Day Weekend, Feb 16th-18th, 2013, the United States Amateur Team West (USATW) tournament was held in Pleasanton, CA.  This is a national event that is held simultaneously with three other team events in the North (New Jersey), East (Florida) and South (Texas).  Teams of 4 compete against each other and each team must have an average rating below 2200.  Besides team prizes, there are also individual prizes for each board and a prize for best team name.

In Pleasanton, 44 teams competed for a variety of place prizes.  The overall winner was the team from the Norcal House of Chess winning all 6 of their matches.  The winning team name was: "Vatican Tactics - Sac the Pope".  Individual winners were: Bd 1 - IM Ricardo De Guzman, Bd. 2 - FM Ronald Cusi, Bd. 3 - Brian Chan, and Bd. 4 - Daniel Gertmenian.

The Contra Costa Chess Club was able to field three teams:

Checkmate Unchained     Pawns Unchained    Bad Bishops Unchained

Robert H.                         Stewart S.                  Darmawan A.

Kevin K.                           Pete K.                       Ernesto M.

Jeff Mc.                            Nenad Z.                    Justin T.

Scott M.                           John S.                       Mike T.

Hossam N.                       Branislav R.                Mike D.

Performing the best compared to their rating was "Pawns Unchained".  They scored 3.5/6 to end up in 13th place (they were seeded around 20th coming into the event).  "Checkmate Unchained" scored 4/6 to end up in 9th place (they were seeded 5th at the start).  "Bad Bishops Unchained" scored 2/6 and 35th overall.

Thanks to all our club members for putting their time and energy into playing in this event!

If you have games or photos from the event, please send them to our e-mail and I will post them on the site.

Bizarre Magnus Interview

Here is a funny (bordering on goofy) and interesting recent interview of Magnus Carlsen I found on YouTube: