CHESS this Wednesday, March 29th at Starbucks!

Hello!

We meet for chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at our usual Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time -- we welcome players of all ages and skill levels, there are no dues, players come and go anytime, and there is no purchase required (but it would be nice). Players there early usually have a chance to be the first one to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a tall Starbucks beverage!

Our next session will be this Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Last Sunday saw Carl, Myles, Joe, Vin, Vin Sr., Meredith, Sam C., Mike T., and Yancy enjoy the game, with Yancy even solving a rather difficult chess puzzle!

Our Next USCF-rated Club Tournament (Based on 6 or more players)

Our next USCF-rated tournament will be 4 rounds, using the Swiss Pairing System, played over two sessions. The first will be on the afternoon of Sunday April 23, 2023 starting at 1:00p.m., followed by the last two rounds on the following Wednesday and/or Sunday, depending on players' schedules or availability, to complete the competition.
Time control will once again be G/45;d10.
The Entry Fee for this time will be $30 if paid before 04/23/23, or $35 if paid on 04/23/23.
Note: All players or participants must be current US Chess Federation members. Renewals or new memberships, allowing players of any age or skill level to play in any USCF-rated tournament in the nation, can be obtained easily online at www.uschess.org.

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

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 26th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Good weather this Sunday, March 26, 2023 (before the next rains) for a really nice afternoon of chess over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue! We welcome players of all ages and skill levels! We're there from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time; players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). Players there early have a chance to be the first to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks beverage!

Last Wednesday's session still saw about 10 players go at it despite the damp afternoon and evening: Red, Sam N., John S., Mike S., Mike T., Yancy, Bert, Steve, Matthew, and a new player ahead by name of Romo! No player was able to solve a challenging chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink, it was indeed a tough puzzle!

Looking ahead: Another USCF-rated club tournament will be set for Sunday, April 23. Similar format(s) as before, more details in the next email or two, with even larger cash prizes. As usual, more players will be playing in club tournaments as the weather gets better and we get closer to the Las Vegas Chess Festival this coming June!

See you soon!
-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6024746

CHESS this Wednesday, March 22nd at Starbucks!

Hello!

Despite some rather gloomy weather this past Sunday, at least six players took part in the club's USCF-rated 3-round tournament held at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant across the side parking lot from Starbucks: Ron, Matthew, Kevin, Red, Steve, and Mike S. were the contestants for the fun and challenge of playing for cash prizes and ratings! On hand also to help was Ranen; and Sam C.and John S. came by later to get some post-tournament games in.

Results of the tournament: A clear 1st Place finish and top cash prize went to Red, who managed to win all three of his well-contested matches! A well-earned tie for 2nd Place went to Matthew and Mike S., who each won 2 matches to split the total of the 2nd and 3rd Place cash prizes!

The club will have an even larger USCF-rated tournament late next month, date and format to be announced very soon.

We meet again this Wednesday, despite the rains perhaps, at our usual Starbucks venue. If for some reason the Starbucks closes early or if you do not see any players, always check the Carl's Jr. Restaurant across the side parking lot, where we are always also welcomed!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, and there are no dues, and there is no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). See you soon!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #6024746

CHESS this Sunday, March 19th at Carl's Jr. & Starbucks!

Hello!

Last Wednesday saw at least a dozen players enjoy an afternoon and evening of chess over the boards, with Yancy eventually solving a rather difficult chess puzzle on his first try! Among the players at our usual Starbucks venue were Sam C., another but much newer player named Sam, Yancy, Red, Steve, Matthew, Justin, Bert, Joe, Mike S., & Mike T.

More players are expected this Sunday, March 19, 2023, as we will have a USCF-rated set of chess matches starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue, which is at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., just up from Concord's corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. Only current USCF members can participate in those matches; however, non-members may play chess with other non-members either at Carl's Jr. or at Starbucks this Sunday. Details regarding the USCF-rated matches are as follows:

1. Format: Quads (groups of 4 players); or, Groups of 6 or more players, with the Swiss Pairing System; 3 Rounds or Matches.
2. Time Control: G/45d.10 (Game in 45 mins.w/10-sec. delay for each player).
3. Entry Fees: $25 on Sunday; or $22 if paid or commitment made before Sunday. (Note: At least 90% of the Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads; and, for 1st; 2nd, and 3rd Places for Groups of 6 players or more.) Cash Prize amounts to be determined depending on the number of entries.
4. Starting Times: 1st Round=11:00a.m.; 2nd Round=No Later Than 1:15p.m.; 3rd Round=NLT 3:15p.m. The starting times of the 2nd and 3rd rounds can be earlier than the times posted, if all players in a Quad or Group are done with their prior time's match and all agree to start at a specific, earlier time. The time between the 1st and 2nd matches allows time for lunch.

If you have any questions or need more information, just let me know. If you need to join the USCF or renew your membership for this or future rated club tournaments, you can do so online at www.uschess.org.

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, March 15th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Looks like good weather ahead, let's play chess over the boards! We meet this Wednesday, March 15th at our usual Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time, as the days get longer due to Daylight Savings Time!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, same time, same place, and last Sunday saw a good handful of players enjoy the afternoon and early evening despite unpredictable, sometimes fairly wet weather! No dues, come and go anytime, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice).

We welcomed Andy, yet another new player to the club! Among players there Sunday were John S., Mike T., Myles, Donovan, Red, Yancy, Duncan, Farod, Connor, Kevin, Adrian . . . . . and this Wednesday there definitely will be a chess puzzle, with a prize of a tall Starbucks drink of choice going to the first player who solves it on the first try!

On Sunday, March 19, 2023, we will have USCF-rated Quads as described in the last email. Current membership in the USCF is required. Check our Upcoming Club Tournaments page for all details. Players who are not USCF members are still welcome to play chess at either Starbucks or Carl's Jr. that day; however, their matches can only be with other players not participating in the Quads.

Any questions or need for more info, let me know, thanks and see you soon!

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

CHESS Sunday, March 12th at Starbucks, More Rain or Shine!

 Hello!

While we had about 20 players at our last Sunday's session (including Max, one of our most experienced young players), about half a dozen players came by our usual Starbucks venue  came by our usual Starbucks venue this past Wednesday.  On hand for chess over the boards Wednesday were Tony, Mike T., Matthew, Steve, Bert, and new players George and Joe!  Matthew solved the chess puzzle on his first try to win the free Starbucks drink! 

Our next session is on Sunday, March 12, 2023, same time, same place!

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

USCF-Rated Club Tournament Sunday, March 19, 2023

Format:  3 Rounds, Either Quads or Groups of Six; depending on number of entries..

Time Control:  G/45;d.10.  Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!

Entry Fee:  $22 prior to 03/19/23; or, $25 if paid on day of tournament.  At least 90% of EFs are returned as cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads, and an added 3rd Place for each group of 6 or more players.

Location:  Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across the side parking lot from Starbucks).

Start Times:  1st Match 11:00am; 2nd Match no later than 1:15pm; and, 3rd Match no later than 3:15pm.  Cash prizes are given after the end of the last match (we're usually done well before 5:00 pm), and results are reported to the US Chess Federation for ratings within a week.  Players receive their new ratings by email from USCF soon after.

Requirement:  Current membership in the US Chess Federation.  To join or renew, the website is www.uschess.org

Let me know if you have questions or need more info!

-- Mike T.
Contra Costa Chess Club
US Chess Federation
Affiliate Club ID #A6014746

CHESS this Wednesday, March 8th at Starbucks!

Hello!

Last Sunday, we welcomed about 6 new players to the club, and three of them were kids by the name of Mateo, Cadeo, and Santiago, who were with their Dad Antonio! Young Myles and Donovan were there to welcome them and enjoy games with them as well as with several adults. We also welcomed new players Farbod and Adrian! Along for the fun of the afternoon and evening at our usual Starbucks venue were John S., Kevin, Sam, Red, Tony, Joe, Julia, Vin, Vin Sr., Andreena, . . . and Mike T. --- that's 19 players, did I miss anyone?

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time at our usual Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the Concord corner of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. Our next session is this Wednesday, March 8, 2023, same time, same place!

We welcome players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to masters and all in between. 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 player to solve a chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Our next USCF-rated club matches will be on Sunday, March 19, 2023.
Format will be either Quads or 3-rd Swiss group(s) depending on number of entries;
Time Control G/45;d.10; Players of all skill levels welcome, including beginners.
Entry Fee of $22 prior to March 19,or $25 if paid on day of tournament.
Prizes: At least 90% or EFs returned as cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Place in Quads, and an added 3rd Place for each group of 6 or more players.
Location: across the side parking lot from Starbucks, at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, where we've been hosted many times for past club tournaments (there's more space, it's quieter, and still fun!).
Start Times: 1st match 11:00 a.m.; 2nd no later than 1:15 p.m.; and 3rd match no later than 3:15 p.m. Cash prizes are given out immediately after the last match (we're usually done well before 5:00 p.m.), and results are reported to the US Chess Federation for ratings adjustments within a week.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, the website is www.uschess.org.

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

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 5th at Starbucks, Rain or Shine!

Hello!

At least a dozen players got their chess fixes over the boards at our usual Starbucks venue despite the chilly weather this past Wednesday; and, at our session last Sunday, despite the stormy weather, nearly 20 players of all ages and skill levels dropped by for the fun and challenge of the game! We meet again this Sunday, March 5, 2023, from 3:00 p.m.through to closing time, with players able to come and go anytime; and, 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!

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