CHESS Tuesday Dec. 23rd at Starbucks

Hi Everyone . . . !

We're having our chess session next week on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 due to popular request, as last week's session saw a great turnout that included Hans, Priya, Indira, Yong Cha, James, Chris T., John S., John H., Mike T., as well as, FM Rich K. . . . !

Additionally, the following week's session will also fall on Tuesday, that one being the 30th of December 2014 so as to avoid another holiday eve (New Year's Eve). We'll go back to Wednesday evenings starting January 7, 2015.

Would the chess club like to re-establish Sunday afternoon sessions? Let me know, thanks, and have a fun time during these next two weeks, Happy Holidays!

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

CHESS Wednesday Evening Nov. 5th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's lots of chess to be played over the boards this Wednesday evening, at our usual venue, Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00PM. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

The World Series is over ('Yay Giants!), and the chess club will have its weekly sessions as above, from here on out through to the end of the year, so come on by and enjoy the coffeehouse scene with the grand game of chess!

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

NO CHESS - GO GIANTS!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Our chess club will not meet this Wednesday Oct.29 due to the 7th Game of the World Series . . . we'll meet again next Wednesday, November 5th, and every Wednesday thereafter, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

See you soon,

Mike T.

NO CHESS at Starbucks Weds (10/22) due to the World Series!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There's no club chess at Starbucks this Wednesday evening, Oct. 22, 2014, due to Game 2 of the World Series between the SF Giants and the KC Royals.

See you next week,

-- Mike T.

Go Giants!

CHESS at Starbucks Wednesday Oct. 8, 2014 !

Hi Everyone . . . !

Chess has returned to our usual Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. every Wednesday - now from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m! We meet again this Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and good company!

Last week saw chess action that took over the new Starbucks long center stage table, with Hans, Chris T., Anthony, John S., Bill K., Mark, and Mike T. enjoying the games and the coffee shop atmosphere . . .

. . . and this Wednesday come by and give Anthony some pre-tournament practice or simply good luck and best wishes for his run at chess fame and fortune at the rather large (at least 500 or 600 players) $1,000-per-entry Millionaire Chess Tournament -- the guaranteed overall prize fund is $1,000,000 -- at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada this weekend !!

See you soon,

-- Mike T. Contra Costa Chess Club USCF ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday October 1st at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone . . . !

The Contra Costa Chess Club made its return to Starbucks last Wednesday after a long summer hiatus, and will meet again this Wednesday evening, October 1, 2014, at the Starbucks coffee house located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.. We'll meet here every Wednesday, same time, from here on, so come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

Last Wednesday, 8 chess players were on hand to help start the chess action hereabouts once again . . . John S. never lost a game, nor did Anthony (hmm, maybe they should play each other next time . . . ), as Mike T., Chris T., Hans, and Bill enjoyed their matches. Newcomers Curtis and Craig were also there to join the fun as onlookers who enjoy the game and who will jump in next time!

Questions have come up regarding whether the club will be putting on another East Bay Open this year. If it does, it will be for Veterans' Day Weekend, Nov. 7th - 10th (or Nov. 7-9; or 8-10). Let me know if you will support efforts to make this happen, and/or participate in the event itself, thanks!

-- Mike T. Cntra Costa Chess Club USCF Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS CLUB Returns to Starbucks Starting Wednesday Sept. 24, 2014 !

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note to let you know the Contra Costa Chess Club is returning to the Starbucks coffee house located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. starting next Wednesday, September 24, 2014, with sessions to run from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.!

The Contra Costa Chess Club will meet at the above venue at the above mentioned times every Wednesday evening starting next Wednesday, Sept. 24th. We'll pick the fun up from where we left off before our long summer hiatus.

New Club Dues Policy: Your "dues" for each session would simply be to purchase something from Starbucks. If you are not inclined to do so for whatever reason, then simply deposit with me $5.00 which will go towards a platter of Starbucks goodies to be passed among the chess players during the last half hour or so of the session. Thanks, in advance, for agreeing to this arrangement, as we would like to continue to be patrons of Starbucks and to enjoy the coffeehouse atmosphere it has provided this chess club for the past 7 years . . . !

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Chess & Games Thursday Evening June 5th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . . !

Come by and enjoy an evening of chess and other board games of interest at Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., this Thursday, June 5, 2014, from 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really fun company!

We'll also have a quick meeting at about 7:45 p.m. to discuss possible changes to the club's policies and practices, as well as possible locations. (There are three other locations that would like to have us.) Your input would be most important . . . !

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

Chess & Games This Thursday Evening May 15th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . . !

There's chess and more games now every Thursday evening from 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more matches, and some fun company!!

Last week there was Chess, Scattergories, and Balderdash! We meet again this Thursday evening, May 15, 2014. Bring a game you enjoy, and we may just play it!

For chess enthusiasts with this month's copy of Chess Life Magazine, save your copy for autographs of at least three of the five fellows on the of the cover boys -- three who have played in our club tournaments (the East Bay Open), namely GM Enrico Sevillano (twice East Bay Open Champion), IM Ricardo de Guzman, and FM Ronald Cusi . . . !!!

See you soon,

-- Mike T.

CHESS This Thursday (4/24) & Friday (4/25) at Carl's Jr.!

Hi . . . !

Enjoy some chess and other games this Thursday AND Friday evening April 24 & 25 at our usual venue, Carl's Jr. at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. from 6:30 pm - 10 pm. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and some really fun company!

The special Friday session is to see if there could be a demand for chess and other games on Friday evenings, so let me know if you are interested even if you might not be able to make it this time!

Thanks, and see you soon,

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday April 17th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a brief reminder to say there's always chess to be enjoyed over the boards this evening, and every Thursday evening, from 6:15 p.m. - 10 p.m. or even later, at our usual venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif. Come by any time, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and really nice company!

We had a nice little turnout last week, with Bill K., John S., Mike B., Mike T., Dana, Yong Cha, Jim, Maria, Ariel, and Sebastian! We just might have more players this evening, April 17, 2014, due to this week being Spring Break for most of our local schools, so come by and join the fun!

-- Mike T.

CHESS this Thursday Feb. 20th and Sunday Feb. 23rd!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Just a short note to say our chess club meets again this Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon as follows at our regular venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif.:

Thursday evening = 6:15 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.
Sunday afternoon = 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

As usual, come by anytime, the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

Based on feedback received recently, several players have expressed satisfaction with our current venue (Carl's Jr.) compared to other suggested possibilities, as it is easy to find, spacious, with large tables for all chess equipment, stays open until later hours, has little or no customer traffic in the above-mentioned hours other than chess players, has no requirement to purchase, has free, well-lighted wide-open adjacent parking, easily accessed by the handicapped, is near a bus stop and across the lot from Safeway, Walgreens, etc., is within a short stroll to a variety of restaurants and other businesses, and so on and so forth ... One drawback cited was the sound from the overhead video, and that has been toned down for those who cannot seem to block it... another was that the venue did not have quite the "ambiance" for chess, which is understandable, and if the perfect place can be found, I'll buy the smoking jackets and the first round of cognac, or brandy, or even schnapps, what-ever . . . !

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Feb.6th and Sunday Feb.9th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

We meet as usual for some pretty interesting chess matches this Thursday evening, February 6, 2014 from 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. at 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 some very nice company!

Note: We are considering a change of venue. Of course, our current hosts at Carl's Jr have been extremely accommodating. The space is large and stays open later than our previous location. Players have no problem finding tables and there is plenty of parking, however some feel that the site is lacking in atmosphere and, more importantly, many are bothered by the commercials which play on the video monitors mounted in the middle of the restaurant.

An opportunity has come up to try another location nearby in Concord. We'll be discussing this on Thursday night, so feel free to come by and give us your opinion. (And if you have any ideas for alternative sites, please let us know!)

So then, see you soon!

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Jan. 30th at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

There was a nice turnout last Sunday afternoon for FM Ronald Cusi's simultaneous exhibition. Ron played about 10 boards, winning at least 8, drawing 1, and -- ironically -- losing 1 to his student Bobby! . . . and it was Evan who played Ron to a draw, by the way . . . !

On hand for the afternoon of chess for fun were Raymond, Elly, Dmitri, Liliana, Bobby, Victoria, Chris, Priya, newcomers Sam and his Dad Rick, Miranda along with her Dad, Michael D., Andrew, Bill K., Beverly, Evan, Mike T., NM Manny Perez, and of course FM Ron Cusi, along with several onlookers or spectators.

Our next session will be this Thursday evening, as usual from 6:15pm - about 10:00pm at Carl's Jr. located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton. Come by anytime, the earlier the better, for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company!

This coming Sunday, February 2, 2014 is Super Bowl Sunday -- chess players are of course welcome to have a regular session with Bill Kelly hosting in the afternoon from 2pm on at the same Carl's Jr. restaurant. However, since I'll be taking the Super Bowl game in, I'll probably won't see most of our club players until the Thursday evening and Sunday afternoon sessions of the following week.

So then, I hope to see you soon . . . !

-- Mike T.

CHESS Thursday Evening Jan. 23 & an FM Simul Sunday Jan. 26 at Carl's Jr.!

Hi Everyone . . . !

Now that the Golden State Open has come and gone over the last weekend, there's more chess to be played over the boards this Thusday evening, from 6:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. at our new regular venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant located at 1530 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, Calif., just a couple driveways up from the main intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Road.

Then on Sunday, January 26, 2014, at the same place from 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (or more), our Sunday session will also feature a fun "Simul" exhibition with FM Ronald Cusi playing against a variety of players on as many boards as he can simultaneously. Figure the Simul will start a little before 3:00 p.m., and assume correctly that space will be somewhat limited. The players who arrive the earliest will be given a chance to play him first. Last Spring, Ron played a simul against 21 players, winning 20 boards and drawing on 1. There will be no purchase at the restaurant necessary, nor will there be a fee charged for playing the simul (though a nominal $2 voluntary donation toward the sponsoring USCF affiliation club dues will be accepted -- or who knows, I just might buy a hamburger or two with it!).

At either session, as usual, come by anytime, but the earlier the better for the best tables, more games, and some really nice company over some fun chess!

See you there,

-- Mike T.