CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 23 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We're definitely back at our usual Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA for fun, challenging chess over the boards! We're in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd, in Concord, CA.

Come by anytime after 3:00p.m. through closing time of 8:00 p.m. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters. Experienced players are willing to help novices improve their chess game, from openings to middle games to endgames. There are no dues, and there is no requirement to purchase anything (but it would be nice).

Players arriving early often get to try being the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Enjoying the game of chess as well as the company last Sunday were Art, Mike T, Setsal, Herb, Yancy, Irakli, Matthew, Vishwa, and Eric Z.!

Players who competed in our USCF-rated tournament that finished just last week already received their new/updated USCF ratings! Those players and others who play in our club have asked about when the next one is going to be -- and the answer is "soon" -- stay tuned!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday, Feb. 20th Back at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We're back to having more fun and challenging chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue this Sunday, February 20, 2022, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton, CA, just a couple driveways up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd., Concord, CA, in the Clayton Shopping Center.

We start at 3:00 p.m. and usually go through closing time, 8:00 p.m. However, come and go anytime you like. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from novices to masters. There are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).

[If Starbucks happens to be closed for whatever reason, just go across the parking lot to our spacious alternate venue, Carl's Jr. Restaurant!]

Club Tournament News: We completed our 1st USCF-rated Contra Costa ChessClub Tournament of 2022 this past Wednesday. A total of 9 players competed, 4 of whom were unrated but recent or brand new members of the US Chess Federation. The format was a 4-Rd SS; Time Control was G/45;d10 and the Entry Fee was $18. The results of all matches have been sent to the USCF as of yesterday afternoon. Here are the results and prizes won, with clear winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place:

1st Place, with 3.5 points = Yancy ($62);
2nd Place, with 3.0 points = Vishwa ($42); and,
3rd Place, with 2.5 points = Irakli ($22).

[Info for new/unrated players: the remaining amount from the entry fees were for the TD (Tournament Director) to send to the USCF to update all players' ratings based on results of all pairings/matches played. There was an amount left over that the TD used to sneak a sandwich with fries and a small drink -- I know, I saw him.]

Feedback from all tournament participants and visitors was that it was quite a success, and that they are looking forward to joining our next one! Based on feedback, the next club tournament will more than likely have at least a dozen players, if not more! The next tournament will be scheduled some time after the USCF updates the ratings, and all players should be informed of their new ratings within a week or so, if not sooner, by email.

The next tournament might be a 4 or 5-round SS; or, perhaps two or more sets of Quads, with each group of 4 players competing within their general skill levels and playing just 3 rounds.. All players liked the Time Control of G/45;d10 and did not want to amend it in any way. (It allows each player to be rated for both Rapid and Classic Chess.) All or most players agreed with a suggestion that the Entry Fee be set at $20, and that the starting time(s) should be earlier in the afternoon of game days.

Have any other useful ideas or suggestions? Just let me know, and many thanks for your support, it was fun putting the club's 1st one of the year together, here's to several more!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Feb. 16 at Carl's Jr. ! + Club Tournament News!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots more chess over the boards this Wednesday afternoon (tomorrow!) at our spacious Carl's Jr. venue, across the parking lot from our normal Starbucks venue!  Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels.  There are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).

This Wednesday Afternoon's Feature:  Conclusion of our 1st Club Tournament of 2022 ! 

Six players will compete in the 4th and last round of our 1st USCF- Rated Club Tournament of the year.  The pairings are:  Tony vs. Setsal; Mike vs.Yance; and, Matthew vs. Bert (who is the officially designated "house player" added to this tournament for a rated game for both himself and Matthew, making up for the withdrawal of one player before the 3rd round after the pairings).

Starting time for the 4th Round Matches:  No Later Than 4:30 p.m. (by agreement last week of all players participating).  All matches must start at the same time; however, there may be an earlier start for all players if all are in place and set to begin.  Otherwise, chess clocks start no later than 4:30p.m.

Last Sunday's 4th Round Match:  Irakli vs. Vishwa !  A Thriller with a Fantastic Finish!

Irakli and Vishwa met last Sunday by agreement to play their 4th and final round of our USCF-rated Club Tournament (the other six players opted to take in the Super Bowl, and agreed to play their 4th round matches this Wednesday).  Irakli had the white pieces, Vishwa had the black pieces.  The chess drama began quietly, and even after about 20 moves or so, not one piece was taken off the board, not even one pawn...

... Irakli and Vishwa's match turned out to be one of the most tense and exciting club chess matches I have ever witnessed !  The match concluded with both Irakli and Vishwa having less than 7 seconds left on their respective clocks ! Neither player ran out of time before the match ended !  And . . . there was a clear winner !  Who won?? By agreement (again!), the three of us decided to reveal the result . . . before the start of the matches this Wednesday!

See you soon,

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

CHESS on this Super Bowl Sunday, Feb.13, 2022

Hi Everyone!

Chess over the boards is still available after 3:00 p.m. at our spacious Carl's Jr. venue this coming Super Bowl Sunday, across the parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome.

Featured this Sunday, Feb. 13: There will be one USCF-rated 4th round match as part of our club's 4-Round Tournament which concludes next Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 16 at the same place, with six matches.

This Sunday's lone rated match will be between Irakli and Vishwa. By agreement, their game clock starts no later than 4:00 p.m. Irakli is ahead of the pack by a slim margin, and a win will probably guarantee at least a tie for 1st place for Irakli. However, a win by Vishwa would vault Vishwa into 1st place! Ohh the drama! The Tournament Director will be there.

Next Wednesday's rated 4th-round matches to complete the tournament will have clocks start no later than 4:30 p.m. The pairings are: Yance vs. Mike; Setsal vs. Tony; and, a rated match between Matthew and Bert (who has agreed to join the fun as a "house player" to round out the tournament matches, owing to Chris's withdrawal after a couple of rounds)!

See you soon, and it's great to know that our next club tournament will very likely have at least a dozen players in a 5-round tournament with even higher $$cash prizes !!

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

CHESS this Wednesday Feb. 9!

Hi Everyone !

Despite Starbucks, our usual venue, being closed, we're having a great time with fun, challenging chess over the boards right across the parking lot, at the spacious Carl's Jr. Restaurant!

Come by anytime after 3:00 p.m., the afternoon of Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, and enjoy the game! Players who are not in our club tournament are welcome to observe tournament games in progress, and may certainly play other non-tournament players (as Sam, Eric Z., and Mark did). Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Our 1st Club Tournament of 2022, in progress:

At 4:30 p.m. this Wednesday (Feb. 9), at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, several players in our club tournament that began this past Sunday will start their chess clocks to play their third of a total of four rounds, with the last round to be played next Sunday! A total of 8 players, 4 of whom will get their first official USCF ratings, are in the hot but fun, friendly official tournament competition: Chris B., Irakli, Tony, Mike T., Setsal, Yancy, Vishwa, and Matthew (Chris B. and Vishwa will play their third round next Sunday at 3:00p.m.). Players need to arrive early enough to be ready to play at the agreed upon times. Clocks will start on time.

Who is in the lead, ahead of the pack, so far in our club tournament? I hesitate to say who, as the clear lead can change suddenly . . . plus, uh . . . I don't want to brag . .. .. (heh heh . . . lol) . . . .

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Sunday, Feb. 6th at Carl's Jr. -- Includes Club Tournament Action!

Hi Everyone!

Our chess session this past Wednesday was at our spacious Carl's Jr. Restaurant venue, across the parking lot from Starbucks, which has been closed lately. No problem! At least a dozen players came by to enjoy chess over the boards, and to welcome our newest player, young Johnny, with his Mom Elisa!

On hand to play chess and welcome Johnny and Elisa were Mike T., Matthew, Tony, Irakli, Setsal, Sam, Vishwa, Bert, Yancy, Diego, and Rich K.! Yancy once again was the first to solve the day's chess puzzle of his first try to win the prize!

Our club meets again this Sunday, February 6, 2022 at the same Carl's Jr. Restaurant for fun, challenging chess over the boards. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from novices to masters and all in between.There are no dues, nor is there a purchase requirement (but it would be nice). This Sunday's session features our first USCF-rated club tournament of 2022! I will be there by 2:30 p.m. to start the registration process.

[On those occasions when we have a club tournament, non-tournament players are still welcome to come and observe, even play, but must play only other non-tournament players, or tournament players willing to play in between their tournament games.]

This coming Sunday's USCF-rated Club Tournament: Game: 45 minutes per side, with a ten-second delay (G/45;d.10). Entry Fee: $18.00; Quads 1st Prize=$36; 2nd=26. If 5 players, Round Robin Format, !st=$40; 2nd=$30; 3rd=$10. If more than 5 players but less than 10 players, 4 Rounds, Swiss Pairing System(SS), Higher $$ Prizes. 8 players may make 2 Quads. More than 10 players, 5Rds, SS, possibly over two sessions, with even higher $$ Prizes. Players, whether rated or unrated, must be current members of the US Chess Federation, and must have a chess set, board and clock available.

Start Times: 1st Rd=No later than 3:30p.m., or sooner if all players are registered, with current USCF ID and rating (or unrated designation) available, and all entry fees paid. Next rounds will start no later, but possibly sooner by agreement, than 20 minutes after the end of the last game of the previous round. So far, the entry list is expected to include Viswa, Irakli, Yancy, Tony, Setsal, Matthew, and others who might commit at the last minute, plus myself.

[Note: Chess notation material will be provided, if needed. It is recommended that chess moves be recorded if at all possible, for personal reference and possible use in the resolution of any inquiry.]

I am this club tournament's USCF-Certified Tournament Director. If you have questions, or need more info, please send me a separate email message at: mtmiketre53@gmail.com.

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at Starbucks! Plus: More Info!

Hi Everyone!

Our usual venue of Starbucks is back on its usual schedule this week, as we meet again this Wednesday, February 2, 2022 for more fun and challenging chess over the boards! Come anytime from 3:00pm on through the closing time of 8:00pm, with players arriving early having a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters. There are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice).

Our very own USCF-rated club matches are about to begin! G/45 d.10, EF $18; Quads 1st Prize $36; 2nd Prize $26. If 5 players, Round Robin format, 1st=$40; 2nd=$30; 3rd=$10. If more than 5 players, no more than 5 or 6 Rds, Higher $$ Prizes, SS pairing, possibly over two sessions.

Required: Current membership in the US Chess Federation, with USCF ID# and current rating for those with ratings. For unrated players, current USCF membership ID#. Players must have a chess set, board, and clock available. Chess notation material will be provided if needed. It is recommended that moves be recorded if at all possible, for personal reference and possible use in the resolution of any inquiry.

When Matches Start: As soon as 4 or 5 paid qualified entries or more are received (cash only!), and when and where players agree to start (e.g., this Wednesday at Starbucks, or Carl's Jr.; or, next Sunday afternoon, 02/06/2022). Enjoy the company, and have fun!

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