CHESS this Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone! And a Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Last Sunday we welcomed two more players new to the chess club: Kuhei and Robert! They were gladly! welcomed into the chess mix by Ben C., Benoit, Red, David T., Daniel C., Zach, Chris Th., Mike T., Ranen and Diego...!

We meet again this Wednesday, November 27th, from 3:00 pm through to closing time at our usual Starbucks venue in the Clayton Shopping Center, just up from the intersection of Clayton Rd. and Ygnacio Valley Rd. All ages and skill levels are welcome, from beginners to masters, and 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, and the first to solve it on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

We meet every Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, same time, same place. If there are enough players to play in a Quad or two, we can even have USCF-rated matches! So then, see you very soon, and expect to make new friends, even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

Despite last Wednesday's unsettled weather due to the nearby atmospheric bomb cyclone river or whatever else it's called, a very nice group of chess players still dropped by for most of the afternoon and early evening to enjoy the game of chess and, yes, each other's company in a warm, coffeehouse atmosphere! Plus, we welcomed yet another player new to the club, a fellow named Michael. There to welcome him were Ben C., David T., Irakli, Mike T., Anson with So, Red, Tony, and Bert!

Our chess club meets again the afternoon of this coming Sunday, November 24th, as we do every Sunday and Wednesday, from 3:00 p.m. through to closing. All ages and skill levels are welcome; 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 drink of choice!

Our next USCF-rated club tournament is slated for Sunday, December 8, 2024. Details may be found in recent posts and by visiting our Upcoming Club Tournaments page. And, by the way, if there's interest in having a USCF-rated Quad before then, even if simply played at Starbucks during our regular sessions, but played off to the side, let me know, and it just might be arranged.

See you very soon, set for chess and the possibility of making new friends and even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

At least 15 players came by to enjoy an afternoon and early evening session of chess over the boards this past Sunday, a good turnout considering several NFL games of interest on television, along with dropping temperatures! We welcomed new players, Jack who was with his dad; and Daniel R., and we welcomed Cory back! We even had a 4-way chess game on a 4-way chess board! Getting their game on along with Jack, Daniel R., and Cory were Ben, Jackson, Lou, Max, Chris Th., Mike T., Anson (with So), Daniel C., Red, Tony, Alex S., and Adam M. No player was able to solve the chess puzzle of the day on the first try to win the prize, a free tall Starbucks drink!

We meet again this Wednesday, November 20th, at our regular Starbucks venue at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, 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). All ages and skill levels are welcome, and whoever solves the day's chess puzzle on the first try gets a free tall Starbucks drink of choice!

Our next USCF-rated club tournament is set for Sunday, December 8, 2024. The format will be 3-Rd Quads, Time Control G/40;d10. Entry Fee is $30 paid before 12/08/24; $35 if paid on 12/08/24. Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant, across sidelot from Starbucks. Round 1 starts at 11:00 a.m. Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew is easy, just go on www.uschess.org.

See you soon, and don't be surprised if you make new friends over the chessboards, and perhaps even renew old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

We meet again over the chess boards at our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, November 17th from 3:00 p.m. through closing time, with players of all ages and skill levels welcome to 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 drink of choice!

We meet every Wednesday afternoon as well, same place, same time, etc. Last Wednesday's session saw at least a dozen players stop by for the fun and challenge of the game. Tom B. was with us for his first time, and there to welcome him to the club were Chris Th., Mike T., Matthew, Will,Tony, Irakli, Alex S., Bert, David T., Adam M., and Vernon! No player was able to solve what turned out to be a fairly difficult mate-in-two puzzle!

See you soon, enjoy the game of chess and meeting new friends and perhaps even renew old friendships!

Our next USCF-rated club tournament is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024.

The format will be 3-Rd Quads, with each Quad grouped of course according to ratings and each player playing three rounds. Entry fee: $30 paid before 12/08/24; or $35 if paid on 12/08/24. 90% or more of entry fees are returned as cash prizes for 1st and 2nd Places in each Quad. Time Control = G/40;d10. Location of the tournament is at Carl's Jr. Restaurant, which is just across the side parking lot from our regular Starbucks venue. Starting Times: Rd1=11:00a.m.; Rd2=NLT1:00p,m; and Rd3=NLT2:45p.m. Requirement: Current Membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew, simply go on www.uschess.org. Please bring your chess sets and clocks.

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

CHESS this Sunday, November 10, 2024 at Carl's Jr. and Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament this Sunday, Nov. 10th at Carl's Jr. Restaurant!
(Starts 10:30a.m.)
Format: 3Rds Quads; and/or, depending on number of entries, 4Rds Groups of 6 or more players, Swiss System of pairings.
Time Control: G/40d.10
Entry Fee: $35.00 paid before 11/10/2024; $40.00 if paid on 11/10/2024 (90% or more of entry fees returned as cash prizes: Quads 1st and 2nd Place; and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for Groups of 6 or more players).
Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across side parking lot from our usual Starbucks venue).
Starting Times: Rd1=10:30am; Rd2=NLT 12:30pm; Rd3=NLT 2:00pm; Rd4=NLT3:30pm.
Requirement: Current membership in US Chess Federation. Join or renew at uschess.org.
Please bring your chess set, board and chess clock.
Note: Non-participants are welcome to observe tournament matches, but are not to speak or otherwise communicate with tournament players. Non-participants are also welcome to play chess among themselves at available tables. We also expect to have a regular club session of chess at our regular Starbucks venue after the tournament.

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoon at the Starbucks located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center. Last Wednesday's session saw several players enjoy the fun and challenge of the game: Ben C., Tony, Benoit, Lou, Anh, Mike T., Matthew, Alex S., Bert, and Diego. It was Tony who, for two sessions in a row now, was the first to solve the day's chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink!

As usual, all ages and skill levels are welcome at our chess sessions, which usually run 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's always a good chance of making new friends, and even renewing old friendships. See you soon!

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

CHESS Today, Wednesday November 6, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

We meet again today, Wednesday, Nov. 6th, at our usual Starbucks venue, from 3:00 p.m. on through closing time. As usual, players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to come and go anytime. There are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). We meet also on Sunday afternoons, same time and place, and last Sunday's session saw at least 20 players enjoy an afternoon and evening at the chessboards: They were Ben C., David T., Ken C., Jackson, Alex S. Anson, So, Benoit, Tony, MikeT., Daniel U., Anh, Daniel C., Arun and son Arian, Lou, Chris T., Nathan, Tom, Adam M.; and, Dylan along with his mom Anna! Did I miss anyone? It was Tony who was first to solve a fairly tricky chess puzzle on the first try to win a free tall Starbucks drink of his choice!

USCF-Rated Club Tournament for Next Sunday, November 10, 2024:

Format: Quads (3Rds); or, if Groups of 6 or more players (4Rds, Swiss System);
Time Control: G/40;d.10

Entry Fee: $35.00 paid before 11/10/2024; $40 if paid on 11/10/2024.

(Note: 90% or more of entry fees are returned as cash prizes. Pays 1st and 2nd Place for Quads; Pays 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place for Groups of 6 or more).

Location: Carl's Jr. Restaurant (across side parking lot from our regular Starbucks).
Start Times: Rd1=10:30am.; Rd2=NLT12:30pm.; Rd3=NLT2:00pm.; Rd4=NLT3:30pm.
Requirement: Current membership in the US Chess Federation. To join or renew your membership, simply go online at uschess.org

(All those not participating in the club tournament are welcome to observe, but are not to communicate with players during the matches. Non-participants may also play chess among themselves at available tables at Carl's Jr., and, anytime from 3:00 p.m. on, at our regular Starbucks venue as well, because we will have our regular Sunday session there, too, after the tournament.)

See you soon!

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

CHESS this Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Starbucks!

Hi Everyone!

Just a short note this time to say we will certainly meet again for fun, challenging chess over the boards at our regular Starbucks venue this Sunday, November 3, 2024 from 3:00 p.m.on through closing time! Players can come and go anytime; all ages welcome, no dues, etc.

We meet every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, same time and place. Last Wednesday's session saw a great group of players come by to enjoy the game and company, and it was great to see young Anh and Anson's chess games get stronger every time we see them! (Thanks also to experienced adult players for helping get their games up!)

See you this Sunday! (No 49er game - it's their bye week!)

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