CHESS this Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone...!

We meet every Wednesday and Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to closing time at our regular Starbucks venue, located at 1536 Kirker Pass Rd., in the Clayton Shopping Center, which is just up from the intersection of Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Clayton Rd. We meet again this Wednesday, January 8, 2024. There are no dues, players can come and go anytime, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice). There usually is a chess puzzle to solve, and the first one to do so on the first try wins a free tall Starbucks drink of choice! Our last two winners have been Daniel C. and Max!

Last Sunday's session saw at least 19 or 20 players come by for the fun and challenge of the game of chess. Additionally, we're checking to see if the concept of having other games available (as a possible start for a "Chess & Games Club"). Based on a straw poll, several chess players and non-chess players (e.g., other Starbucks customers, including those accompanying chess players) have expressed interest in playing other games, such as those requiring strategy, logic, luck & skill, or just plain good ol' fun.

There for fun and challenge of chess over the boards were Ben C., Irakli, Corbett, Raj, Tony, Jackson, Logan (with dad Adam), Kevin, Mike T, Daniel C., Julia, Anson (with mom So), Yancy, Ken C., Liam, and David T. We welcomed new players Raj and Liam, and we welcomed back Kevin, as we did Meredith during our previous session, when she played chess as well as taught some of us how to play "Hues and Cues" and "Bananarama"!

In years past, we also had games such as "Scrabble" and "Chronology" going on at other tables, while Chess was in full swing at the main tables. This past session, we had the "Overrated!" game played by Kevin, then Julia, along with Mike T. and non-chess players Dan, Ernie, Adam, and Ken P. So then, while Chess remains the main event or draw, there is room for other games, subject to further feedback and/or tests of the Chess & Games idea for our club get togethers that feature making new friends and even renewing old friendships!

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

CHESS this Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Starbucks!

Hello Everyone!

Just a short note to confirm that we meet as usual, every Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, at our regular Starbucks venue for chess over the boards open to all ages and skill levels! Our next session is this Sunday, January 5, 2025. There are no dues, and there's no purchase required (but it would be nice), as players can come and go anytime from 3:00 p.m. to closing time, 8:30 p.m. 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!

Over the last few sessions over the holiday season, several players came by to enjoy both the game of chess and a festive coffeehouse atmosphere along with some fun company! Looking ahead, there may be a consensus to include in our chess sessions other games that could only add to the enjoyment of our get-togethers... more on this "Chess & Games" concept in the near future? Stay tuned, and we'll see you soon!

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