CHESS this Sunday, February 25, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, this coming Sunday, February 25, 2024 at our regular Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time. Players can come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the first one solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

This past Wednesday saw at least 10 players play chess over the boards: Irakli (who has bragging rights for being the first to solve the rather tricky chess puzzle, albeit on the third try), Ben C., Tony, FBen, Matthew, Chris N., Daniel, Mike T., Evan, and another occasional, and at times also a rather loquacious player who lately has given me a couple, quite different names...

Stay tuned for more details regarding our next USCF-rated club tournament. Expect the time control to be G/40;d.10 instead of G/45;d.10 and that it will be held on either Sunday, March 17th or Sunday, March 24th, at the Carl's Jr. across the parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue, with a starting time of 10:30 a.m. Format to be Quads or Groups of Six. Participating players are required to be current members of the US Chess Federation. To join or renew membership, simply go online at www.uschess.org. For those interested, I would in turn be interested in your preference as to competing on March 17 or March 24. Entry Fee = $25 if paid before tournament date, $30 if paid on date of tournament. If you have 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, February 21, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots more fun, challenging chess to be played over the boards this Wednesday, February 21st, from 3:00 p.m. to closing time, at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd. in the Clayton Shopping Center! We meet at the same time, same place, every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon. Players come and go anytime, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice, after all, they're hosting us, and the baristas are nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

This past rainy Sunday's session (Feb. 18) saw at least 19 or 20 players and chess friends come by to enjoy the fun of the game. There was Ben C., Kevin, Sam, Daniel, Lisa, Tony, Juan (new to the club, a good player!), Chris N., Chris M., Yancy (who solved the rather difficult puzzle, on his third try!), FBen, Max, Malek, Evan H., Tam (also new to the club, and will bring a different version of chess for the curious), Mike T., and Sofia with Mom Amparo and sisters Ashley and Victoria! Did I miss anyone?

Our next USCF-rated club tournament will be scheduled soon, more than likely on a Sunday in mid-to-late March, soon after the return of Daylight Savings Time. Format will be 3-round Quads and/or 4-round groups of six, with a Time Control of G/45;d10. Stay tuned, see you soon, do drop by, get your game up, make new friends, renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Starbucks, Rain or Shine!

Hi Everyone...!

We're back to having quite a few players enjoy an afternoon and early evening of chess over the boards every Sunday and Wednesday, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing, at our regular Starbucks venue located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center! Players come and go anytime; all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters; there are no dues; and, there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Our next session is of course this Sunday, February 18, 2024, and as what happened during the last rain-stormy session, many chess players dropped by to play some pretty good chess in the fine coffeehouse ambiance, instead of staying home! There may be a Category 2 rain and wind storm sometime this weekend, but perhaps we will still see you at Starbucks?

Last Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday, so not much chess went on, for sure, that afternoon, as the broadcast of the game went well into the evening hours! Last Wednesday was a drizzly Valentine's Day, and as expected, less than a dozen players came by to play chess: Tony, Mike T., FBen, Daniel, Bert, and Mark among them, despite rather damp weather!

So then, let's get together over the chess boards, make new friends, and even renew old friendships as we stay healthy... and dry!

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

CHESS this Super Bowl Sunday, February 11, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone...!

Our chess club will still have a regular session for avid chess players this Sunday afternoon, February 11, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue. The Super Bowl broadcast starts at pretty much the same time, and will run for a few hours, more than likely causing many of our regular chess players to take in the game, with most if not all rooting for the SF 49ers to win over the KC Chiefs!

Our next session after this Sunday is of course Wednesday, February 14th, ValDay, same time, same place where we meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon. All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice).

Our session last Wednesday saw at least 10 players enjoy chess over the boards, despite some rather chilly, damp weather! There to play were Ben C., Tony, Mike T., Daniel (who solved a tough puzzle to win the prize), Sam, Bert, Irakli, Chris M., Moses, and Matthew! There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

So then, here's hoping to see you soon, get your game up, and make new friends, or renew old friendships! Also, stay tuned for info on our next rated club tournament!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Despite the rather stormy weather last Sunday morning, 8 players arrived at our Carl's Jr. tourney location to form and compete in two Quads in our club's first USCF- rated tournament of the year! Each player was to play three matches, with first place winning $50 and second place $40.

The results (which have been submitted to USCF):

Quad A, featuring Ranen, Red, Irakli, and Ben C., was won by Ranen, taking 1st Place, having won all 3 of his matches. Ben C. took 2nd Place, having won two of his games; and, Red took 3rd, having won 1 game. Irakli may not have won a match, but he was definitely a tough opponent!

Quad B, featuring Tony, Sam, Daniel C., and Vinn, was won by Daniel C. taking 1st Place having drawn his first game with Sam; then winning his second match; and then given a win by virtue of a forfeit due to his opponent's having to leave before the start of the third round, for a total of 2 1/2 pts. Tony took 2nd Place, having won two matches for 2 pts.; and, Sam placed 3rd with a win and a draw for 1 1/2 pts. Vinn was a gamer, but had to leave early.

Several players said they definitely enjoyed the tournament, and clearly indicated that the club should have a tournament of any kind of format about once every six weeks or so. That is very doable, hopefully will continue to have the support of the players of the Contra Costa Chess Club! Stay tuned for the details descriptive of the next one, sometime mid to late March . . . that's not far off!

In the meantime, it should be noted that several of the tournament players went over to Starbucks to play more chess this past Sunday, along with Will, Mark, Matthew, Adam, Samuel, Daniel U., Mike T., and first time club players Jackson and Nate, both of whom we hope to see again over the boards!

We meet as usual every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon, from 3:00 p.m. to closing, players come and go anytime, at our usual Starbucks venue. Our next session is therefore this Wednesday, February 7th. There are no dues, all ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

So then, see you soon, get your game up, make new friends, renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, February 4th, at both Carl's Jr. AND Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Chess over the boards this Sunday, February 4, 2024, starts off with a USCF-Rated Club Tournament that begins at 11:15 a.m. at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue! At least 8 players are in it to win it, with more players welcome to join, or even just observe, of course without commenting or "kibitzing" during the tournament. Full specs of the tournament are listed below.

Our regular Sunday session for more social, unrated chess at our usual Starbucks location (1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center), starts at its usual time, going from 3:00 p.m. to closing, as players can come and go anytime, etc. as stated in previous emails. Our session this past Wednesday saw at least 12 players enjoy the game of chess despite some rather chilly and inclement weather: Bert, FBen, Ben C., Will, Chris M., Red, Mark, Daniel, Tony, Sam, Irakli, and Mike T.!

For Sunday's USCF-Rated Club Tournament:

Time Control: G/30;d.10

Format: 3 Rds., Quads or Groups of 6 or more players.

Starting Times:  11:15 a.m; then, NLT 1:00 p.m.; and, NLT 2:30 p.m.

Entry Fee:  $25 paid before 02/04/24; $30 if paid on 02/04/24.

Cash Prizes:  Quads: 1st = $50; 2nd = $40; For groups of 6 or more, prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are determined based on the number of entries.  Note:  90% or more of entry fees are returned as cash prizes, with the balance going to USCF for ratings, with maybe some left over for a sandwich for the tournament director (TD) and organizer, who may also compete).

Requirement:  Current Membership in the US Chess Federation.  To join or renew, just go online at www.uschess.org.

Remember to bring your chess set and chess clock!

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