CHESS this Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

After Easter morning activities this Sunday, March 31, 2024, chess players can still relax and have more fun with chess over the boards in the afternoon at our usual Starbucks venue located in the Clayton Shopping Center, just a couple driveways up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd.! All ages and skill levels are most welcome from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. There are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There will be a chess puzzle to solve, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Wednesday afternoon as well, same time, same place. Last Wednesday's session saw Tony and Matthew combine to somehow solve a fairly tough puzzle (mate in two), with one figuring out the first move, and the other the second . . . ! There with Tony and Matthew that day were Meredith (on her collegiate spring break!), Ben C., Chris N., Daniel C., Benoit, Evan H., Damon, Alwin, Bert, Samuel, and Mike T.!

We will have our next USCF-rated club tournament sometime either late April or early May. The Time Control may be back to 30 minutes with a 10-second delay ("G/30;d.10"). Stay tuned for more details in the next email message or two, or soon after the tournament date and start times are established. In the meantime, keep coming by to enjoy the game of chess, along with making new friends and renewing old friendships! See you soon!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Last Sunday's USCF-rated club tournament at Carl's Jr. Restaurant was quite a success (despite several players being quite brain-fried at the end of the day)! 10 players competed, with 4 in a Quad and 6 in the one other group. The time control was game in 40 minutes with a ten-second delay ("G/40;d.10").

The 3-round Quad contest resulted in Irakli and Tony with 2 wins each, sharing top honors and the cash prize of $100, with runner-ups Ben C. and Chris S. each winning one match. Every match was well contested, and there was only one blunder of major consequence (of course I won't name who made that boo-boo). Tony managed to win his last two matches to tie for first, as Irakli had come very close to winning all three of his matches.

The 4-round group of 6 players resulted in another tie for the top two places: Matthew and Daniel C. each won 3 matches, with Daniel needing a win against Matthew in his last match to tie and split the $120 total cash prize for 1st and 2nd Places. 3rd Place was also up for grabs, and Benoit garnered it with 2 wins, for which Will with one win was also competing against Benoit in his last match. Kevin and Jackson had exciting contests, with each getting a draw, and a win for 1 1/2 pts. each, as Jackson extricated himself out of a 1-more-move checkmate loss by finding key forcing moves that led or would lead to a checkmate to win the last match!

It was also very nice to see several observers there, including Chris's friend Mckenzie, along with Sam, Mark, Evan, and Max H. Later, at Starbucks, Max won bragging rights by solving the day's rather difficult chess puzzle!

We will have our club's regular Wednesday afternoon session at our usual Starbucks venue this Wednesday, March 27, 2024. All ages and skill levels are most welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). We'll also meet next Sunday (Easter!), same time (from 3:00 p.m. on, as usual come and go anytime), same place. So then, see you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 24th at Carl's Jr. & Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

There's lots of chess to be played over the boards this Sunday, March 24, 2024, at both Carl's Jr. Restaurant (for the club's USCF-rated tournament that starts at 10:45 a.m.) and after 3:00 p.m.at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., which is just across the side parking lot from Carl's Jr., within the Clayton Shopping Center!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament, Sunday March 24, 2024:

(As of this writing, more than 12 players have expressed serious interest in competing, with at least 10 players confirming their participation.)

Requirement:  Current membership in the US Chess Federation.  To join or renew, simply go online at www.uschess.org.  The Tournament Director (TD) needs to validate a player's current membership and current rating, or whether a player is unrated or has a provisional rating before the tournament starts.  This validation is mostly done well before the start.

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

Format:  3Rd.-Quads, or 4-Rd.-Groups of 6 or more players, depending on number of entries and spread of current ratings.

Start Times: 10:45a.m.; NLT 12:30p.m.; NLT 1:45p.m; and, for larger groups, NLT 3pm.

Time Control:  G/40;d.10.  Please have your chess clock set and available as needed.

Entry Fee:  $25 paid/confirmed before 03/24/2024; $30 otherwise, on 03/24/2024.

Cash Prizes: As in all our club tournaments, at least 90% or more of entry fees are returned as cash prizes (1st and 2nd Place for Quads; and, for groups of 6 or more players, paid to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Places.  Amounts to be determined based on number of entries and prize fund).

Visitors/Observers:  Visitors or observers are welcome and of course are expected to not comment or react to any of the chess moves or matches in progress.  Visitors are also welcome to play chess among other non-participants of the tournament, but on tables that are clearly separate from the tournament participants.

After the tournament, it is common for players to either stay at the restaurant or go over to Starbucks across the way to go over their games and even play more chess! Therefore, this Sunday our usual club session goes on as usual at Starbucks from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time! As always, players of all ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required. There may even be a chess puzzle to solve, with the player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! (Our session last Wednesday saw more than a dozen players, with another new player, named Max V., joining us, as Matthew impressed all by being the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try! His prize that day was one that Kevin donated for the occasion: a 2024 desk calendar featuring one chess puzzle to solve for each remaining day of the year!

Any questions or need for more info regarding any of the above, just let me know, and I hope to see as many of you as can make it this Sunday, be it at Carl's Jr. or Starbucks!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, March 20th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least a dozen or more players came by our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, to enjoy chess over the boards this past Sunday, and it was Irakli who was the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink! There with Irakli were Kevin, FBen, Tony, Jackson, Will, Nate, Daniel C. Chris N., Chris S., Sam C., Mark, and new player to the club Max V.!

Most of that day's players are planning to compete in next Sunday's USCF-rated Club Tournament. It's looking good for the tournament to feature at least 2 Quads if not 3, or at least 1 Quad and 1 Group of 6 or more players! Here are the specs, including location, format, time control, starting times, and -- oh yes, entry fees:

Format:  3-RD Quads and/or 4-RD Swiss for Groups of 6 players or more.

Time Control:  G/40;d.10

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

Start Times: 10:45 a.m.; NLT 12:30 p.m.; NLT 1:45 p.m.; NLT 3:00 p.m.

Entry Fee:  $25 paid before 03/24/2024; $30 if paid on 03/24/2024.

Prizes:  At least 90% of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes:  Quads pay 1st and 2nd Place; and, for groups of 6 or more players, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place. The balance of funds go to the USCF (with perhaps enough left over for a sandwich for the TD).

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

[Note: Chess players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe, and to even play among themselves at Carl's Jr. or, after 3:00 p.m, as usual. Several players usually go over to Starbucks across the lot after the tournament.].

I hope to see you this Wednesday, and certainly next Sunday!

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. through to closing time for fun, challenging chess over the boards. As usual, we've got a fun session ahead at our usual Starbucks venue this Sunday, March 17, 2024 and another this coming Wednesday, March 20th. However, the following Sunday, March 24, 2024 we are also having our USCF-rated Club Tournament that, for participating players, starts at 10:45 a.m. at the Carl's Jr. Restaurant which is across the side parking lot from our Starbucks venue! Details (e.g., G/40;d.10, etc.) of the tournament have been posted and are available on our Upcoming Club Tournaments page.

Last Wednesday's session saw about ten players enjoy the game of chess, with Matthew snagging bragging rights for solving the day's chess puzzle, albeit on a subsequent, successful attempt! There with Matthew were Chris N., Daniel C., Mark, Ben C., Tony, Mike T., Evan, and Irakli. The session ended with a very spirited blitzing set of games involving Matthew, Mark and Evan -- and somehow in one rather interesting end game, Matthew made very good use of his tripled pawns!

All ages and skill levels are most welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase requirement (but it would be nice), so come on by, get your game up, have some fun, make new friends, even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

At least 15 players dropped in on our regular Starbucks venue to enjoy fun, challenging chess over the boards this past Sunday: Ben C., Diego, Jackson, Daniel C., new player Alex H., Kevin, Mike T., new player Mehedi, Lou, Damon, Yancy, Mark, Juan, Reza, and Red, who solved the day's chess puzzle on his first try, after several players had a go at it!

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon from 3 p.m. on through closing time at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. We're therefore there again this Wednesday, March 13, 2024. All ages and skill levels are most welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required, as players come and go anytime. There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, with the player solving it on the first try winning a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament Sunday, March 24, 2024!

Format:  3-RD Quads and/or 4-RD Swiss for Groups of 6 players or more.

Time Control:  G/40;d.10

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

Start Times: 10:45 a.m.; NLT 12:30 p.m.; NLT 1:45 p.m.; NLT 3:00 p.m.

Entry Fee:  $25 paid before 03/24/2024; $30 if paid on 03/24/2024.

Prizes:  At least 90% of Entry Fees are returned as cash prizes:  Quads pay 1st and 2nd Place; and, for groups of 6 or more players, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place.

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

[Note: Chess players not participating in the tournament are welcome to observe, and to even play among themselves either at Carl's Jr. or, after 3:00 p.m., at Starbucks, as usual. Several players usually go over to Starbucks across the lot after the tournament.]

Any questions, or need for more info, just let me know, --- see you soon, come get your game up, and make new friends, even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 10, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

It's Daylight Savings Time Chess over the boards this Sunday, March 10th at our usual Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center! Lots of players (two dozen or more) of all ages and skill levels have been joining the fun and challenge of the game these past few Sundays, with several staying through closing time! We start at 3:00 p.m., players 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, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

We also meet on Wednesday afternoons, same time, same place, and this past Wednesday saw at least eleven players enjoy the game, with FBen the player who rather quickly solved the chess puzzle of the day on his first try! There with Fben were Ben C., Mike T., Tony, Trucker, Evan, Daniel C., a new player named Alex, Evan, Mark, and Matthew, whose spiffy countermove in one game late in the day wrecked Mark's crafty endgame stratagem!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament Sunday, March 24, 2024:

Time Control:  G/40;d.10

Format: 3-RD Quads and/or 4-RD Swiss, Groups of 6 or more players.

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

Start Times: 1st Rd: 10:30 a.m.; then NLT 12:15p.m.; NLT 1:45 p.m.; NLT 3:00 p. m.

Entry Fee:  $25 paid before 03/24/2024; $30 if paid on 03/24/2024.

Cash Prizes:  TBD based on number of paid entries.  At least 90% of paid entries are returned as cash prizes.  For Quads: 1st Place = $50; 2nd Place = $40.  For a Group of 6 or more players, payouts go to !st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners.

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

If you have any questions or need more info, let me know. In the meantime, see you at Starbucks soon, get your game up, have fun making new friends and even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, March 6th, at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

About two dozen or more players came to play chess over the boards this past Sunday at our usual Starbucks venue, with a bit of an overflow of players into the neighboring Munchy's Lounge! Sam was quick to be the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink! There with Sam were: Kevin, FBen, Jackson, Ben C., Tony, Mark, Trenton, Max, Daniel C., Daniel U. with Samantha, Juan, Mike T., Jordin, Lou, Evan, Myles with his Dad and little sister; Matthew, and... George and Mihaela with their kids Charlise, Alex, and Andre... Did I miss anyone, I think maybe I did...? There was no question that players had a lot of fun, going by the great games played, the laughter, and even the food and drink both at Starbucks and Munchy's!

We meet again this Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 p.m. on through closing, same place, and all ages and skill levels are most welcome. There are no dues, come and go anytime, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We also meet Sunday afternoons, same place and time, and next Sunday, March 10th, Daylight Savings Time starts! Our USCF-rated Club Tournament will be scheduled for Sunday, March 24th, and I will have full details in my next email, stay tuned, and see you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, March 3, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Join us if you can this Sunday afternoon at our usual Starbucks venue from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time (come and go anytime) for fun, challenging chess over the boards! All ages and skill levels are welcome, there are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). Be the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on your first try and win a free tall Starbucks beverage of choice!

We do meet every Wednesday, same time, same place and all, and last Wednesday saw at least a dozen or more players stop in for the challenge of chess and that day's puzzle, which no player was able to solve on the first try! In the mix were Ben C., Tony, FBen, Mike T., Chris M., Will, Daniel C., Sam, Matthew, a new player also named Daniel, Bert, Ernie, and Joshua of UPS!

Our next USCF-rated Club Tournament will be scheduled for either Sunday, March 17th or Sunday, March 24th, stay tuned for full details in your next email. From the informal poll taken recently, it may very well be set for the 24th. Hmmm, maybe on both days?

See you soon, come on by, make new friends, renew old friendships, play chess!

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