CHESS this Sunday, October 30th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join the club this Sunday, October 30, 2022 for an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards! We meet from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time (come and go anytime) at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord.

We meet Sunday and Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. on. There are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! (No player solved the puzzle on the first try last Wednesday, but Roman eventually solved it.)

Last Wednesday's session had some 12 players or more enjoy the game of chess: Tony, Donovan, Sam, Roman, Yancy, Mike T., Matthew, Bert, Ernie, Alwin, Olaf, and John S., and this Sunday will feature even more players, perhaps a master or two as we welcome players of all ages and skill levels!

See you soon,

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Oct. 26th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Our club's 4-round USCF-rated tournament last weekend at our Carl's Jr. Restaurant venue was completed last Saturday! It took just one day instead of two! Irakli took top honors and the top cash prize by going undefeated through 4 rounds against some fairly tough competition! Tony and Ohm tied for second place with 3 points each and split the 2nd and 3rd cash prizes, as Matthew claimed the 4th place cash prize, with two wins and one very tough draw! Helping make the tournament a success and having fun too were Paul, Kevin, Sam, Eric M., and Ron!

Last Sunday, the day after the tournament, 9 players enjoyed the afternoon of chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue: Two kids, Michael and Sabina, along with adults Ron, Kwaku, Mike T, new player Alex, Peter G, Tony T., and Ronald the IM. The highlight of the session was when IM Ronald played 4 players in a simultaneous 15-minute quick game on 4 boards (against Tony, Ron, Peter and Alex), winning each one with time to spare!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord. We welcome players of all ages and skill levels! Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). Our next sessions are tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26, and Sunday, October 30, 2022.

Our next rated club matches may be between players willing to play in Quads in our Starbucks venue, with 3 rounds to be played over no more than two sessions (e.g., Sunday & Wednesday; or, Wednesday & Sunday). Entry Fee and Time Control to be agreed upon by all players in a Quad. Let me know if you're interested!

See you soon, we're always meeting new players, and if you haven't been by in a while, drop in, get your game on, make new friends, and/or renew old friendships!

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

CHESS Sat. Oct. 22-23 at Carl's Jr; and, Sun. Oct. 22 also at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone !

This Saturday Oct. 22 & Sunday Oct. 23, 2022, we're holding our USCF-rated club tournament at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across the parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue}! Starting time is 10:30 a.m. both days. Because there will be at least 7 or 8 players entered, the format will be a 4-round Swiss, with cash prizes paid to the top four (4) places! More specifics are repeated below, as stated in previous email messages to you. It is possible that all four rounds could be completed on Saturday.

Then, on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, we'll have our usual session at Starbucks, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time for tournament players who have competed their matches, and for non-tournament players as well.. We meet every Sunday and Wednesday, from 3:00 p.m. on, at our Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required. Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

This past Wednesday saw once again about 20 chess players and supporters enjoy an afternoon over the boards! There for the fun of it all were John S., Mike T., John B., John E. new player Bill, Tony T., new players Joshua and son William, Raphael, Ron, Mark, Conner Rdl., Matthew, Donovan with Mom Melissa, Ohm with Mom Hira, Dennis with Dad Johnny, and Yancy (who solved the very tough chess puzzle). Did I miss anyone?

For this weekend's USCF-rated club tournament:

Saturday October 22 - Sunday October 23, 2022.
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across the side parking lot from our Starbucks venue);
Start Time: 10:30 a.m. both days.
Time Control: G/45;d10.
Format: 4rds. Swiss Pairing System.
Entry Fee: $35.00 paid on or before Oct. 19 as stated over the past several weeks; $40.00 if paid after Oct. 19th.
Cash Prizes: All amounts are minimum, based on 8 players. 85%-90% of entry fees are returned, with prizes increased if more than 8 players. 1st Place=$85; 2nd Place=$70; 3rd Place=$55; and, 4th Place=$40. Balance of funds go to the USCF for reports and ratings adjustments, with maybe some left over for a sandwich for the TD.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation.

Please bring chess sets and clocks as supplies are limited.

If you have any questions or need more information, let me know, thanks!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Oct. 19th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Our friendly USCF-rated club tournament runs next weekend from Saturday Oct. 22 - Sunday Oct. 23, 2022 at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue! Non-tournament players are still welcome to play chess at Starbucks that Sunday, or to play other non-tournament players at Carl's Jr. Tournament specifications are listed in the last paragraph of this email.

In the meantime, our session this past Sunday saw at least a couple dozen chess players, enthusiasts, and supporters turn out to enjoy an afternoon over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord. On hand for the fun and challenge of the game were: Yancy, Paul with Mom Raquel, Ohm and Sia with Mom Hira, Mike T., Hasseb, Kevin S., Irakli, Bulraj, Michael with Dad Stan, Eric Z., Matthew with wife Lee and daughters Emaline and Celine, plus Raphael, Ronald, and 5 or 6 students (whose names I did not get) from a nearby high school visiting to check out the chess action! Did I miss anyone?

We meet again at Starbucks this coming Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Players can come and go anytime, and we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters! There are no dues, nor is there a purchase required (but it would be nice). Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

For our upcoming Sat. Oct. 22 - Sun. Oct. 23 USCF-rated Club Tournament:
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant, across the side parking lot from Starbucks.
Start Time: 10:30 a.m. both days.
Time Control: G/45; d.10.
Format: TBD, based on number of entries and current USCF ratings. Quads=3 rds, with potential for 3 more rds played on alternate colors if agreed to by all players in a Quad. Or: 1 or 2 Round-Robin divisions; Or: 1 division, 4rds, Swiss System for pairings.
Note: Matches to complete the tournament may be started Wednesday of next week if work, school or other schedules are considerations agreed to by affected players and the Tournament Director (TD).
Entry Fee: $35 paid by Wednesday, Oct. 19; $40 if paid after Oct. 19, 2022. 85%-90% of entry fees are returned as cash prizes, with the balance going to the USCF for reports of results and ratings adjustments, with maybe something left over for a sandwich for the TD.
Requirement: Current membership in the United States Chess Federation (USCF).

If you have any questions or need more information, please let me know, thanks!

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

CHESS this Sunday, October 16th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Again about 20 chess players and enthusiasts, including four players new to the club, came by to enjoy an afternoon and early evening of chess this past Wednesday. And no player solved the chess puzzle on the first try to win a free drink! There to have fun were Sam, Chris B., Diego, Tiger (with Oscar), Doug, Kevin N., Peter G., Mike T., Tony T., Hira, Siya, and Ohm, Alwin, Patrick D., Matthew, Raphael, Dennis, Jonny, Yancy, Bert, and Caramia! Did I miss anyone?

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels. We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. Players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Our usual venue is at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord CA.

Our next sessions are this Sunday, October 16 and this coming Wednesday, Oct. 19th. Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We're having a USCF-rated club tournament next Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 22-23).
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant, just across the side parking lot from Starbucks.
Time Control: G/45; d10.
Start Time: 10:30am both days.
Format(s): TBD, depending on number of entries and current USCF ratings, Quads or round-robin divisions.
Entry Fee: $35 paid on or before Wednesday, October 19. $40 if after October 19.
Cash Prizes: Quads 1st Place $75 and 2nd Place $55; Other formats pay higher amounts for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places depending on number of entries. 85%-90% of all entries are returned in cash prizes, with the balance going toward the USCF for reports and ratings processing and adjustments, with maybe something left over for a sandwich for the Tournament Director.

If you have any questions or need more info, let me know. See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, Oct. 12th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Our session this past Sunday saw at least 27 chess players and enthusiasts enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun, challenging chess at our usual Starbucks venue! It was quite nice to see kids and ladies in the mix of players of all skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between! There to play the game and make new friends were Myles, Donovan, Andreena, Suhas, Paul, Raquel, Yancy (who solved the chess puzzle), Kwaku, Mike T., another Mike, Haseeb, Peter G., Olaf, Mark M., Reza, Danny, Matthew, Ron, Manny, Ronald, Sam, Tony T., Roman, Nelson and Deeana, Charles, and Bulraj and Subriya! Did I miss anyone?

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, very near the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord, CA. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first to solve a puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

USCF-Rated ClubTournament Saturday Oct. 22 - Sunday Oct. 23, 2022:
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (just across the side parking lot from Starbucks).
Start Time: 10:30 a.m. both days.
Time Control: G/45;d10.
Format(s): TBD: Depending on the number of players and current USCF ratings, either Quads, or two round-robin divisions, or one division using the Swiss System of pairings, for four rounds, possibly 5 rounds if more than 12 players in the division.
Entry Fee: $35 if paid on or before Wednesday, Oct.19, 2022; $40 if paid after Oct. 19.
Cash Prizes: Quads pay 1st Place $75; 2nd Place $55. Other formats pay higher amounts, for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places. 85%-90% of entry fees are returned in prize money. Balance of funds go for USCF fees for reports and rating adjustments after the tournament, with maybe enough left over for a sandwich for the TD.
Requirement: Current USCF membership.

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

CHESS this Sunday, October 9th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Twenty (20) players came by to enjoy an afternoon and early evening of chess over the boards this past Wednesday at our usual Starbucks venue! Yancy solved the chess puzzle, as he was there to get into the fun and challenge of chess along with Chris N., Charles, Danny, Mo David, John S., Hossam, Mike T., Sam, Matthew, Melissa, Donovan, Andrenna, John B., Raphael, Connor Rdl., Eric Z., Alwin, Tony T., and Ronald!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time, at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. in Concord, CA. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). Players arriving early usually have a chance to be the first one to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament Saturday Oct. 22 - Sunday Oct. 23, 2022:
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (just across the side parking lot from Starbucks).
Start Time: 10:30 a.m. each day.
Time Control: G/45;d10.
Format(s): TBD: Depending on the number of players and current USCF ratings, either Quads or at least two Round-Robin Divisions. Quad players may agree to double matches (like a double round-robin) extending into the following Wednesday, or weekend if necessary, but all players in the Quad have to agree.
Entry Fee: $35 if paid on or before Wednesday Oct.26; $40 if paid after Oct. 26, 2022.
Cash Prizes: Quads pay !st Place $75; 2nd Place $55. Other formats will pay 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places, amounts to be determined based on the number of players. In all formats, 85%-90% of Entry Fees are returned in prize money. Balance of funds go toward USCF fees for reports and rating adjustments after the tournament, with perhaps some leftover enough for maybe, just maybe, a sandwich for the TD (Tournament Director).
Requirement: Current USCF membership.

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

CHESS this Wednesday, October 5th at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:00 pm on through closing time, come and go anytime. This past Sunday's session saw at least 15 chess players and enthusiasts enjoy an afternoon over the chess boards at our usual Starbucks venue. Once again, there were players there new to the club, and some players were at or even beyond the expert level: There to welcome Mo, Danny, John T., Bob D., Peter G. and Varun were Melissa, Kevin, Mike T., Yancy, Donovan, Andrenna, Sam, Charles, Haseeb, and Vernon. Did I miss anybody?

Our next session is this Wednesday, October 5th, at our Starbucks venue. New players should know that we do not charge any dues, nor is there a purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Players arriving early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! (No player solved it on the first try last Sunday, although Sam came so, so very close!)

To compete in our USCF-rated club matches or tournaments for prizes, all players must be current members of the US Chess Federation. Our next rated club competition will be on Oct. 22 & 23. Full, final details to follow very soon. However, rated Quads can form up anytime; let me know if you are interested.

Come on by to enjoy chess, make new friends, and/or renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, October 2nd at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

More than a dozen players and chess enthusiasts of various skill levels came by to enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue last Wednesday: There for the fun and challenges were: Hossam, John S., Mike T., John B., Matthew, John E., Raphael, Sam, Tony, Yancy, Donovan and Andrienne, Maria, Melissa, and Varun! However, this time no player was able to be the first to solve the chess puzzle on the first try to win a free Starbucks drink!

Our USCF-rated club tournament has been reset for the weekend of October 22 - 23, 2022 (a Saturday and Sunday), for current members of the USCF. Starting time each day will be 10:30 a.m.; Time Control = G/45;d10 , Format = either Quad(s) or Round Robin divisions, up to 4 or 5 rounds, to be determined depending on number of players and their current ratings. A double round-robin is possible with a shorter time control. Entry Fee = $35.00 with 85%-90% returned as cash prizes. Location = Carl's Jr Restaurant, across from Starbucks, or at a nearby residence to be announced. In the meantime, players can form Quads and play rated matches ( I will play in them, too) before that weekend, let me know if you are interested.

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the corner of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. in Concord! Come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, so come on by and make new friends and/or renew old friendships! See you soon!

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