CHESS this Sunday Aug. 14th at Starbucks + Club Tournament News!

Hi Everyone!

Another fun, challenging afternoon of chess over the boards took place this past Wednesday at our usual Starbucks venue, featuring at least two more players new to the club, Duncan and Karthik (with Rajita), welcomed by Mike T., Sam, Tony T., Yancy, Bert, Connor Ri, Ohm, Sia, John E., and John S.! Additionally, it was great to see new friendships made, including those with and among Rajita, Manjit, and Hira!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters, and all in between. Players arriving early usually have a chance to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! By the way, Ohm solved last Wednesday's puzzle!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament Sept. 3 - 4, 2022:

The Contra Costa Chess Club will hold a club tournament this coming Labor Day Weekend, from Saturday, September 3, 2022 through Sunday, September 4, 2022. Starting Time each day will be at 2:00 p.m. It is possible that the final matches may be completed on either Monday Sept. 5, 2022 or the following Sunday, September 11, 2022. There will be two divisions, based on observed play and current classic USCF-ratings (including for those who are new,unrated USCF members and those with provisional ratings), to promote fair pairings and to avoid possible obvious mismatches. At least 10 players indicate they will compete. At least two more have expressed interest..

Entry Fee: $20 if paid on or before Wednesday, August 31, 2022; $25 if after 08/31/22.

Time Control: G/45.d5 [chess clocks must be set for each side to have 45 minutes with a delay of 5 seconds.]

Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (Across the side parking lot from Starbucks -- several chess and scrabble tournaments have been held there.)

Cash Prizes: To Be Determined and announced prior to the start of first matches, based on format and number of paid entries (e.g, Quads = 1st and 2nd Place; or, with 5, 6 or more players = 1st, 2nd and 3rd Places, with 80%-90% of paid entries returned in cash prizes, ensuring enough is left over to remit to USCF for ratings services,and to cover basic local admin costs, which might include a sandwich and a drink for the TD to wolf down and guzzle, ahem.

Required: Current US Chess Federation membership. I'll need to know your current rating; and, if a new USCF member, or competing for the first time in our club tournament, your full name as registered with USCF and USCF ID#.

Let me know if you have questions or need more information, see you soon!

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