Chess in the San Francisco Bay Area

30 July 2008

Good People,

I've found the following casual and organized chess venues for adults in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the greater Sacramento area. Casual chess includes informal coffeeshop play, and organized chess includes club and tournament play.

Please send additions, updates, and corrections to the email address below; if you wish to be attributed, please include either your surname or your preferred handle. I aim to keep this list current to within four months, and reconfirm each listing each January, May, and September. I also update it as changes are brought to my attention.

Regions:
South Bay, Peninsula, Santa Cruz/Coastside, San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, Greater Sacramento, Other.

There are 42 venues listed. Cities and towns represented are:
Alameda, Berkeley (2), Burlingame, Campbell, Clayton, Cotati, Cupertino, Fairfax, Fremont (2), Livermore, Los Gatos, Newark, Oakland (3), Pacifica, Palo Alto (2), Petaluma, Rocklin, San Bruno, San Francisco (5), San Jose (4), San Leandro, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa (3), Stanford, Sunnyvale, and Walnut Creek.

Recent changes:

2008.07.30: Added Fog City Knights Chess Club, San Francisco, CA. They meet on Sunday afternoons from noon until 5:00pm.
2008.07.28: Updated Berkeley Chess Club, Berkeley, CA. They're now meeting on Friday evenings from 7:00-11:00pm.
2008.07.20: Updated MAAT Science Village Chess Club, Oakland, CA; they now meet every Saturday afternoon from 1:00-6:00pm.
2008.06.25: Updated MAAT Science Village Chess Club, Oakland, CA, with Jul-Dec 2008 meeting dates.
2008.06.25: Added Newark Chess Club, Newark, CA. They meet Friday evenings from 7:00-11:00pm.
2008.06.24: Updated Peninsula Chess Club, San Mateo, CA. They've moved back to the San Mateo Senior Center from the San Mateo Public Library. Days and times are the same, namely Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons, 1:00-5:00pm.
2008.06.14: Updated Chess for Kids, Santa Rosa, CA. Wednesday evenings, during the summer, they have tables at the Santa Rosa Downtown Market from 5:00-8:30pm. Also, for the summer months, there are no Thursday evening meetings.
2008.06.14: Updated Sun Chess Club, San Jose, CA. They will be holding their Silicon Valley Challenge #5 tournament on Sunday, 27 July 2008. See club web site for details.
2008.06.07: Updated Friday Night Chess, Sunnyvale, CA with Jul-Dec 2008 meeting dates. They will, indeed, be meeting at the usual time on Friday, 4 July, holding a barbecue that evening along with the chess.
2008.06.07: Added Rocklin Chess Club, Rocklin, CA.
2008.06.07: Updated Stanford Chess Club, Stanford, CA; they're off until September.
2008.06.07: Updated Bay Area Chess Tournament Series, Santa Clara, CA, with Jul-Dec 2008 meeting dates, and slight change to morning start times. They now start at 10:00am on Saturdays and 1:30pm on applicable Sundays.
2008.05.13: Updated Sonoma Coffee Company Chess Club, Santa Rosa, CA, with slight changes to meeting days and times. They meet six days per week, Monday through Saturday, from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
2008.05.11: Updated Santa Rosa Junior College Chess Club, Santa Rosa, CA, with Summer 2008 (May-Aug) meeting dates.
2008.05.06: Updated Chess for Kids, Santa Rosa, CA. They're now meeting from 4:00-5:00pm instead of from 3:30-5:00pm.
2008.05.05: Updated Petaluma Chess Club, Petaluma, CA. They're now meeting on the second Tuesday of each month in addition to the last Tuesday of each month.
2008.05.05: Updated Fianchesso at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. They're on hiatus until Fall 2008.
2008.05.04: Updated Alameda Chess Group, Alameda, CA. They've moved back to "Jim's at The Course" Bar & Grill at the Chuck Corica Golf Complex for the summer.
2008.05.04: Updated Friday Night Chess, Sunnyvale, CA; they will, indeed, be meeting at the usual time on Friday, 4 July.
2008.05.04: Updated Livermore Chess Club, Livermore, CA. Club is on hiatus during the month of May due to change in ownership of venue, and site remodelling.
2008.05.04: Updated Berkeley Chess Club, Berkeley, CA. Sunday night chess now begins at 6:00pm rather than at 7:00pm, and the first time control is now 30/90 rather than 40/90.
2008.05.04: Removed Vallejo Chess Club, Vallejo, CA. The club has shut down due to fiscal constraints.
2008.04.23: Updated Fairfax Chess Club, Fairfax, CA. Additional club contact person now noted.
2008.04.09: Updated Cotati Chess Club, Cotati, CA. Club contact email address now listed. Also, I had the April and June meeting dates wrong. They're now corrected.
2008.03.11: Updated Stanford Chess Club, Stanford, CA, with Spring 2008 (Apr-Jun) meeting dates.
2008.03.11: Updated Chess for Kids, Santa Rosa, CA. They now offer rated quads and a Friday evening meeting time.

Regards and thank you,
Eric De Mund <ead-ba-chess AT ixian DOT com>

South Bay

Bay Area Chess Tournament Series, Santa Clara, CA

• Saturdays, starting at 10:00am, and applicable Sundays starting at 1:30pm. Jul-Dec 2008 meeting dates: Jul12+26, Aug23+24, no Sep meetings, Oct4+25, Nov28+29+30, Dec20+21.
• Rated tournament play.
• MCA/Granada School; 3003 Scott Boulevard; Santa Clara, CA 95054.
• Contact Salman Azhar <tournaments AT bayareachess DOT com> and see tournament web site at <http://www.bayareachess.com/>.
• Regular (i.e. for adults) and scholastic tournaments, with blitz, G/45, or G/60 time controls. Playground and restaurant with free wireless Internet access on site.
• Updated 2008.06.07 (SAzhar/EDeMund).

Chess Rules! Kids Chess Club, San Jose, CA

• Friday evenings, 6:00-10:00pm; pizza at 6:30pm, lecture at 7:30pm.
• Unrated tournament, ladder, and casual play; lessons, training, and lectures.
• For kids aged pre-school through 18 years old.
• Willows Senior Center; 2175 Lincoln Avenue; San Jose, CA 95125.
• Contact Tony Pabon at (408) 866-4815, or email <tpabon AT earthlink DOT net> (make sure to put the word "chess" in the Subject line).
• More than 60 active members; over 460 kids have come through the program since club founding in 2004. 501(c)(3) non-profit status since July 2005. Note that CR!KCC also holds a week long chess camp in the summer.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.11 (TPabon/EDeMund).

Friday Night Chess, Sunnyvale, CA

• First Friday of the month, 6:00-8:00pm. Jul-Dec 2008 meeting dates: Jul4 (with barbecue), Aug1, Sep5, Oct3, Nov7, Dec5.
• Unrated tournament play, casual play; chess sets provided.
• "We have new people show up each month. We are averaging about 40 per night now. My people are addicted!
  This no cost, monthly event is open to young and old of all ages. Lessons will be available, tournaments will be conducted and we will all have fun playing chess together." --Mike Jones
• Crosswalk Community Church; 445 South Mary Avenue; Sunnyvale, CA 94086; play takes place in the gymnasium.
• Contact Mike Jones at <fridayknightchess AT yahoo DOT com>.
• Updated 2008.06.07 (MJones/EDeMund).

Kolty Chess Club, Campbell, CA

• Thursday evenings, lecture 6:30-7:30pm, play 7:30-11:30pm.
• Rated tournament play, casual play.
• Campbell Community Center, Building F, Orchard City Banquet Hall; 1 West Campbell Avenue; Campbell, CA 95008. See Campbell Community Center map at
  <http://www.ci.campbell.ca.us/Recreation/downloads/CCCMap4email.pdf>.
• Club web site is <http://fofv.com/page.php?id=1>.
• 50+ active members.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Peninsula Chess Center, Cupertino, CA

• Friday evenings, 7:30pm-10:30pm.
• Rated and unrated tournament play, casual play.
• The Peninsula Chess Center is for chess players of all ages. We offer free Friday night chess and regular tournaments. Beginning in August, we started featuring rated play. Players with ratings under 1000 (or unrated) play from 6:45-7:45pm (games are G/30). Players over 1000 begin play at 8:00pm (games are G/90). Join us for some great chess! Please bring your own equipment!
• Monta Vista Community Center, Room 1; 22601 Voss Avenue; Cupertino, CA 95014.
• Contact Dr. Rene Carlos Ochoa at (650) 964-0905 or email <reneochoa AT comcast DOT net>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.11 (ROchoa/DGertmenian/EDeMund).

Santana Row, San Jose, CA

• Daily.
• Casual play, played at the outdoor chess tables.
• Median strip of Santana Row between Olin Avenue and Olsen Drive; San Jose, CA 95128.
• See map at <http://www.santanarow.com/about/location.php?map=santanarow>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.15 (EDeMund).

South Bay Chess Club, Los Gatos, CA

• No regular meeting day; periodic tournaments instead. Contact tournament director for news.
• Rated tournament play.
• Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, Activity Rooms B and C; 14855 Oka Road; Los Gatos, CA 95032.
• Contact tournament director Iris Kokish at <dubiousmove65 AT yahoo DOT com> or (408) 395-2008.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (IKokish/EDeMund).

Sun Chess Club, San Jose, CA

• [2008.06.14] Silicon Valley Challenge #5 is scheduled for Sunday, 27 July 2008.
• Periodic meetings; check club web site for news.
• Rated tournament play.
• Century Arts Alliance Foundation; 2146 Ringwood Avenue; San Jose, CA 95131. Web site for venue is <http://www.centuryarts.org/>.
• Club web site is <http://sunchessclub.googlepages.com/>.
• Updated 2008.06.14 (CSun/EDeMund).

Willows Senior Center Chess Club, San Jose, CA

• Tuesday and Friday afternoons, 12:00-4:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Willows Senior Center; 2175 Lincoln Avenue; San Jose, CA 95125.
• Contact Jerry Marshall at <marshalljerry AT msn DOT com> or (408) 267-1574; also, Willows Senior Center phone number is (408) 448-6400.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.11 (JMarshall/EDeMund).

Peninsula

American Tournament Chess Club, Pacifica, CA, and San Bruno, CA

• See American Tournament Chess Club listing in Santa Cruz/Coastside section, below.

Avenidas Senior Center Chess Club, Palo Alto, CA

• Wednesday afternoons, 1:00-4:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Avenidas Senior Center; 450 Bryant Street; Palo Alto, CA 94301.
• Contact Judith Webb, Manager of Education and Leisure, at either <jwebb AT avenidas DOT org> or (650) 289-5436. Also, the Avenidas Senior Center may be reached at (650) 289-5400, and their calendar may be viewed at <http://www.avenidas.org/site.php?page=calendar>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.05 (JWebb/EDeMund).

Happy Donuts Chess Group, Palo Alto, CA

• Friday evenings, roughly from 8:00-11:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Happy Donuts; 3916 El Camino Real; Palo Alto, CA 94306. On El Camino Real at Ventura Avenue, between Page Mill Road and West Charleston Road.
• No contact point or web site yet; Happy Donuts's telephone number is (650) 843-0658.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.15 (AMorrow/EDeMund).

Peninsula Chess Club, San Mateo, CA

• Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday afternoons, 1:00-5:00pm.
• Casual play.
• San Mateo Senior Center, 2645 Alameda de Las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA 94403.
• Contact Sidney Schieber at (650) 345-8603 or <sid-sd3 AT sbcglobal DOT net>; San Mateo Senior Center telephone number is (650) 522-7490.
• Reconfirmed 2008.07.30 (SSchieber/EDeMund).

San Mateo-Burlingame Chess Club, Burlingame, CA

• Thursday evenings, starting at 7:00pm.
• Rated tournament play, casual play.
• Lions Hall Building; 990 Burlingame Avenue; Burlingame, CA 94010.
• Club web site is <http://www.burlingamechessclub.com/>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Stanford Chess Club, Stanford, CA

• Club is off until September. Formerly: Sunday afternoons, 2:00-5:00pm.
• Casual play.
• At inside tables next to Subway at Tresidder Union. Tresidder Union; 459 Lagunita Drive; Stanford, CA 94305.
• Club web site is <http://www.stanford.edu/group/chess/>.
• Updated 2008.06.07 (CSeck/EDeMund).

Santa Cruz/Coastside

American Tournament Chess Club, Pacifica, CA, and San Bruno, CA

• Monday evenings, 7:00-9:00pm (San Bruno); Sunday afternoons starting at 12:30pm (Pacifica); Wednesday, and Thursday evenings starting at 7:00pm (Pacifica).
• [2008.05.04] Fifth Pacifica Chess Open takes place on Saturday, 5 July 2008. See web site for details.
• Casual play.
• Sundays and Thursdays (classes upon request on Thursday evenings): New Life Christian Fellowship; 1125 Terra Nova Boulevard; Pacifica, CA 94044.
• Mondays: Starbucks Coffee; 851 Cherry Avenue (corner of Bayhill Drive and Cherry Avenue); San Bruno, CA 94066.
• Wednesdays: Denny's; 500 Linda Mar Boulevard; Pacifica, CA 94044.
• Club web site is <http://www.atcc.us/>; contact John Galpin at <johngalpin AT atcc DOT us>, or phone (650) 355-6787.
• Updated 2008.05.04 (JGalpin/EDeMund).

Santa Cruz Chess Club, Santa Cruz, CA

• Thursday evenings; registration from 6:15-6:45pm, round one starts at 6:45pm.
• Unrated tournament play (3 round quad system, G/25, no entry fee; bring sets, clocks, and boards).
• Borders Books & Music; 1200 Pacific Avenue; Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
• Club web site is <http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/santacruzchessclub/>; contact Jim Parker at <jimcheck AT pacbell DOT net> or telephone (831) 662-0587.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.05 (JParker/EDeMund).

San Francisco

Cafe La Boheme Chess Group, San Francisco, CA

• Every day, though Friday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, after 6:00pm, are first, second, and third best.
• Casual play.
• Cafe La Boheme; 3318 24th Street (between Valencia Street and Mission Street); San Francisco, CA 94110.
• Description at
  <http://calchess.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=60>.
• No contact point or web site yet; Cafe La Boheme telephone number is (415) 643-0481.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.05 (WesB/EDeMund).

Chess 2.0, San Francisco, CA

• [2008.02.25] "I'm back in the search for a venue for this meetup." --Jordy
• Formerly second Monday of the month, 8:00-11:00pm. 2007 meetings: Jul9, Aug13, Sep10, Oct8, Nov12, Dec10.
• Casual play, instruction from a master.
• Formerly at the offices of Bebo Inc.; 142 10th Street; San Francisco, CA 94103.
• Contact Jordy Mont-Reynaud at <jordym AT gmail DOT com>, and see <http://chess20.bebo.com/>.
• Updated 2008.02.25 (JMontReynaud/EDeMund).

Fog City Knights Chess Club, San Francisco, CA

• Sunday afternoons, noon-5:00pm. Also, somewhat frequently on weekday evenings (email to confirm).
• Casual play.
• "Do you enjoy playing chess? Do you want to learn how to play chess?
       If you like playing chess and are looking for new people to play with, or if you want to play but don't know where you can find a friendly game in a warm energetic environment, your problem is solved!
       We are always looking for new people to join us. Whether you are a bullet blitz expert, a casual Caissan, or only know that the "horsie" moves in an L, there will be someone of commensurate skill for you to play with. All ages, skill levels, and all types of people are welcome and invited.
       There will be plenty of boards, pieces, and clocks (for those who wish to play with them), and beginners are sure to find patient and fun coaches to help them along. Also, Abir makes a great cup of coffee!" --Brandon Owens
• Cafe Abir; 1300 Fulton Street; San Francisco, CA 94117 (at the northwest corner of Fulton and Divisadero Streets).
  2008-07-30: Note that Cafe Abir is a cash-only establishment.
• Club web site is <http://www.citychess.net/>. Contact persons are David Tornheim <datornheim AT hotmail DOT com> (note: no email availability for David between 6:00pm Fridays and 9:00am Mondays) and Chris Cortese <cortese DOT consulting AT gmail DOT com>. Also, Cafe Abir may be telephoned for directions at (415) 567-6503.
• Updated 2008-08-01 (DTornheim/EDeMund).

Mechanics' Chess Club, San Francisco, CA

• Casual play Monday through Friday, 11:00am-9:00pm; and weekends 11:00am-5:00pm; Tuesday Night Marathon until 10:30pm. Children and beginner's class, Saturdays 10:00am-2:00pm. Women's class, Sundays 2:00-4:00pm. 2008 Apr-Aug tournament schedule: May10, Jun14+15+21, Jul19, Aug16+17. Scholastic Quads (18 and under, G/45): Apr12, May3, Jun7, Aug2.
• Rated tournament play, casual play, classes.
• 57 Post Street; San Francisco, CA 94104.
• Club web site is <http://www.chessclub.org/>.
• Updated 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Royal Ground Coffee, San Francisco, CA

• Monday and Friday evenings, 7:00=10:00pm (formerly starting at 8:30pm).
• Casual play.
• Royal Ground Coffee; 2216 Polk Street; San Francisco, CA 94109.
• "Royal Ground Coffee at Polk and Vallejo (in SF) has a regular Chess & Scrabble night on Mondays starting around 8:00pm. Plus, impromptu chess can be found most other days, including a less rigourously attended Friday night session."
       "Also, it is important to note that the cafe is at Polk & Vallejo as there is another cafe with the same name nearby at Polk & Sacramento. People often go the wrong cafe and get disappointed." --TXY
• No contact point or web site yet; Royal Ground Coffee telephone number is (415) 474-5957.
• Updated 2008.05.04 (TXY/EDeMund).

North Bay

Chess for Kids, Santa Rosa, CA

• [2008.06.16] Wednesday evenings 5:00-8:30pm, every Wednesday of the summer, at the corner of Mendocino Avenue and Fourth Street at the Santa Rosa Downtown Market (market web page at <http://www.srdowntownmarket.com/>).
  [2008.06.16] Chess on Thursdays (formerly 3:30-5:00pm) will not be meeting until after Labor Day.
  Friday evenings, 6:00-8:00pm: class from 6:00-7:00pm, tournament play from 7:00-8:00pm. And occasional Saturday scholastic quads.
• Rated tournament play, casual play, chess classes, lessons with coaches, learning environment.
• Rincoln Valley Christian School, Room 24; 4575 Badger Road; Santa Rosa, CA 95409.
• Club web site is <http://chessclubforkids.com/>. Or Contact Jolie Cook at <jolie DOT chessforkids AT gmail DOT com>, (707) 540-1831, or (707) 527-6427. For directions, the Rincon Valley Christian School may be telephoned at (707) 539-1486 or visited on the web at <http://www.rvchristian.org/>.
• All ages and skill levels are welcome. Club has been meeting since 2007.03, and generally has 8-20 players in attendance, ranging from 7 to 12 years of age. Usually one coach is present. Small donation requested to keep club going.
• Updated 2008.06.24 (JCook/EDeMund).

Cotati Chess Club, Cotati, CA

• First and third Tuesdays of the month, any time after 6:00pm. (We close betweeen 9:30 and 11:00pm, depending upon attendance.) Jan-Jun 2008 meeting dates: Jan8+22, Feb5+19, Mar4+18, Apr1+15, May6+20, Jun3+17.
• Casual play and USCF rated games (by prior arrangement).
• Ray Miller Community Center, Mountain Room; 216 East School Street; Cotati, CA 94931.
• Contact Paul Bishop <AlekhinesCat AT comcast DOT net> or telephone Terry Dutra, City of Cotati Recreation Coordinator, at (707) 792-4600, ext 640. Or email her at <tdutra AT ci DOT cotati DOT ca DOT us>. Also, a short blurb mentioning the chess club may be found at <http://ci.cotati.ca.us/sections/events/>.
• The club has a recreational atmosphere, however, we also offer USCF rated games (by prior arrangement). Note that children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Updated 2008.04.09 (PBishop/TDutra/EDeMund).

Fairfax Chess Club, Fairfax, CA

• Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:30pm.
• Casual play.
• Fairfix Cafe; 33 Broadway Boulevard; Fairfax, CA 94930.
• Contact Stan R. at <vegstan2 AT ix DOT netcom DOT com> or (415) 459-4668, or Ken Wilson at <fairfaxchessclub AT yahoo DOT com>. Also, the cafe may be reached for directions at (415) 459-6404.
• No cost, and all ages and skill levels are welcome. Clocks welcome; sets not provided: the regulars usually have one. We've been playing in Fairfax since 2001; USCF ID A6016967.
• Updated 2008.04.23 (StanR/KWilson/EDeMund).

Petaluma Chess Club, Petaluma, CA

• Second and last Tuesdays (formerly only the last Tuesday) of each month, from 10:00am-noon. May-Aug 2008 meeting dates: May13+27, Jun10+24, Jul8+29, Aug12+26.
• Casual play.
• Petaluma Senior Center; 211 Novak Drive; Petaluma, CA 94954.
• Contact Bill Hammerman at (707) 762-6593, or email <whammer AT petalumanet DOT org>. Also, the Petaluma Senior Center may be reached for directions at (707) 778-4399.
• Updated 2008.05.05 (BHammerman/EDeMund).

Santa Rosa Junior College Chess Club, Santa Rosa, CA

• Thursday evenings, 6:00-9:00pm. May-Aug 2008 meeting dates: May15+22+29, Jun5+12+19+26, Jul3+10+17+24+31, Aug7+14+21+28.
• Casual play.
• William B. Race Health Sciences Building; NNN (number pending) Elliott Avenue, Third Floor, Conference Room 4061; Santa Rosa, CA 95401. See map at <http://www.santarosa.edu/map/race/race.html>.
• Contact Chuck Brown, faculty sponsor, at <chess AT sonic DOT net>.
• Players of all levels welcome. No smoking, food, or drinks allowed, excepting bottled water.
• Updated 2008.05.11 (CBrown/EDeMund).

Sonoma Coffee Company Chess Club, Santa Rosa, CA

• Daily except Sunday, 1:00-3:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Sonoma Coffee Company; 521 4th Street; Santa Rosa, CA 95401.
• Contact Peter Proehl at (707) 539-6466 or email <degrees AT sonic DOT net>.
• Half of the players are off the clock, half play fast time controls, several are class A players or former class A players, there is a sprinkling of expert players in the mix, and attendance numbers range from 4-10 players.
• Updated 2008.05.13 (PProehl/EDeMund).

East Bay

Adams Point Chess Salon, Oakland, CA

• Thursday evenings, 7:00-10:30pm.
• Casual play.
• "We meet in a private home in the Adams Point neighborhood of Oakland, CA, near Lake Merritt. We average 8-10 players, and have been meeting since July 2002. Beginners welcome. Casual lessons free. No sore losers, no trash talkers and no whiners."
• Contact Richard 'S' Lee at <tripkit AT aol DOT com>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (RSLee/EDeMund).

Alameda Chess Group, Alameda, CA

• Sunday afternoon and evenings, 2:00-8:30pm.
• Casual play.
• "Jim's at The Course" Bar & Grill; Chuck Corica Golf Complex; 1 Clubhouse Memorial Drive; Alameda, CA 94502 (formerly at their winter location of Java Rama Coffee House; 1333 Park Street; Alameda, CA 94501).
• Jim's may be reached for directions at (510) 337-9950. Their web site, presently [2008.05.04] under construction, is <http://www.jimscoffeeshop.com/>.
• Updated 2008.05.04 (SLingor/EDeMund).

Berkeley Chess Club, Berkeley, CA

• Friday evenings, 7:00-11:00pm. (Formerly Sunday evenings, 6:00-11:00pm.)
• Rated tournament play. Time control: 30/90 followed by G/30.
• Hillside School, Room 17; 1581 Le Roy Avenue; Berkeley, CA 94708.
• Visit <http://berkeleychessschool.org/pages/show/20>, email Elizabeth Shaughnessy at <bcschool AT pacbell DOT net>, or telephone (510) 843-0150.
• Updated 2008.07.28 (MZebra/EDeMund).

Contra Costa Chess Club, Clayton, CA

• Thursday evenings, 7:30-10:30pm.
• Casual play; USCF rated quads coming soon.
• Starbuck's (in Clayton Station shopping center); 1536 Kirker Pass Road; Clayton, CA 94517.
• Contact John Treshler at <JTresBienXXX AT aol DOT com>.
• USCF Affiliate Club ID#A6024746. All skill levels welcome!
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.05 (JTreshler/EDeMund).

Fianchesso at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

• [2008.05.05] On hiatus until Fall 2008. Formerly, Saturday afternoons, 1:00-4:00pm, during the academic year.
• Casual play, lessons.
• Bear's Lair Brewpub; 2475 Bancroft Way (at Telegraph Avenue in Lower Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus); Berkeley, CA 94720. Note that the Bear's Lair Brewpub is not restricted to persons 21 years of age and older; those under 21 are fine to enter and join Fianchesso at Berkeley.
• Contact Allan Chao at <director AT fianchesso DOT org> or (630) 660-4234. The club may also be emailed at <berkeleyclub AT fianchesso DOT org>. Bear's Lair Brewpub may be reached at (510) 843-5247 or <http://www.bearslairpub.com/>. Also, a club web page appears to be under development at <http://www.fianchesso.org/>.
• Club formed in Spring 2007; 8-10 members typically in attendance; strength range of members is estimated to be 1300-1700.
• Updated 2008.05.05 (AChao/EDeMund).

Fremont Chess Club, Fremont, CA

• Friday evenings, 7:00-11:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Fremont Community Activity Center; 3375 Country Drive; Fremont CA 94536.
• Club web site is <http://www.fremontchessclub.org/>.
• Contact club directory Ken Zowal at <kenneth.zowal AT sbcglobal DOT net> or (510) 623-9935.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (KZowal/EDeMund).

Fremont Informal Chess Group, Fremont, CA

• "Just about every day", 4:00 or 5:00pm until closing, which is at midnight.
• Casual play.
• Starbucks Coffee; 5034 Mowry Avenue; Fremont, CA 94538.
• This seems to be a group of seven serious players, though I don't have an organizer's name yet. Contact Starbucks at (510) 818-9026 for directions.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Lakeview Chess Club, Oakland, CA

• Tuesday afternoons, 3:30-5:00pm (formerly until 5:30pm).
• Casual play.
• Lakeview Library; 550 El Embarcadero; Oakland, CA 94610.
• Contact Mary Farrell at <mfarrell AT oaklandlibrary DOT org> or phone (510) 238-7344.
• Visit <http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/Branches/lak.html> and
  <http://www.lakeviewfriends.org/>.
• "We've been having 4-12 people, children and adults, on Tuesdays. Rod Sanza is the facilitator." --Mary Farrell, 2007.09.15
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.05 (MFarrell/EDeMund).

Livermore Chess Club, Livermore, CA

• [2008.05.04] Club closed for the month of May. "We just learned on Friday, 2 May, that this location is changing hands and will be undergoing remodeling, starting next week. We will not be meeting there until after Memorial Day weekend at the earliest. And depending on the generosity of the new proprietors, we may or may not be able to resume after that." --Phil Sterne
• Friday evenings, starting at 8:00pm, excluding holiday Fridays and Fridays preceding holiday weekends.
• Casual play.
• Monster Burrito; 909 Bluebell Drive; Livermore, CA 94551. This shop is in the Springtown Arco Service Station.
• Contact Philip Sterne at <sterne1 AT llnl DOT gov> or Keith Mehl at <kmehl AT chabotcollege DOT edu>. Also, Monster Burrito may be telephoned for directions at (925) 371-0109.
• Updated 2008.05.04 (PSterne/KMehl/EDeMund).

MAAT Science Village Chess Club, Oakland, CA

• Saturday afternoons, 1:00-6:00pm.
• Casual play, unrated tournament play, lessons, training, and lectures.
• Museum of African American Technology (MAAT) Science Village; 408 14th Street; Oakland, CA 94612.
• Contact Gerl Jenkins at <gerljenkins AT gmail DOT com> or telephone the Museum of African American Technology (MAAT) Science Village at (510) 893-6426.
• Updated 2008.07.20 (GJenkins/KStancil/EDeMund).

Newark Chess Club, Newark, CA

• ([2008.06.25] Listing not entirely confirmed, yet here it is anyway.) Friday evenings, 7:00-11:00pm.
• Rated tournament play, casual play.
• Newark Public Library; 6300 Civic Terrace Avenue; Newark, CA 94560.
• Contact Ted Castro at <castro DOT ted AT gmail DOT com>, or telephone him at (415) 756-1204. Also, the Newark Public Library may be telephoned for directions at (510) 795-2627.
• Added 2008.06.25 (TCastro/EDeMund).

San Leandro Chess Group, San Leandro, CA

• Saturday afternoons, 1:00-6:00pm.
• Casual play.
• Cafe Sorriso; 1501 Washington Avenue; San Leandro, CA 94577.
• Contact Cafe Sorriso for directions at (510) 351-3605.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (SLingor/EDeMund).

Walnut Creek Chess Club, Walnut Creek, CA

• Wednesday evenings, 6:30-10:30pm.
• Casual play.
• Walnut Creek Senior Center; 1375 Civic Drive; Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
• Contact Bob Nace at (925) 939-7937; also, Walnut Creek Senior Center telephone number is (925) 943-5851.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Greater Sacramento

Rocklin Chess Club, Rocklin, CA

• Sunday afternoons, 1:00-7:00pm.
• Casual play, lessons.
• Sierra Roasting Company; 3051 Stanford Ranch Road; Rocklin, CA 95765.
• See the Rocklin Chess Club web page at <http://mindodyssey.com/rocklincc/>, or email USCF NM Arthur Braden at <karthur_ AT pacbell DOT net>, or telephone him at (916) 768-5042. Also, the Sierra Roasting Company may be reached for directions at (916) 435-2202.
• USCF Affiliate Club #A6025838. Players ranging from beginners to Masters; kids welcome. The atmosphere is quiet and pleasant with the familiar smell of good coffee. Arthur Braden will teach anyone the basics. Bring your own chess set, although the club does provide some sets.
• Added 2008.06.07 (ABraden/EDeMund).

Other

California Chess Clubs

• California chess club directory.
• Visit <http://calchess.org/modules.php?name=Information&page=miscellaneous/chess_clubs.htm>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Casual Chess Scenes

• Forum for talk about casual chess scenes in the Bay Area.
• Visit <http://calchess.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewforum&f=7>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Chess Meetups and Chess Players in California

• Lists chess meetup groups and individual chess players wishing to play over-the-board games, by city, in California. Site also has a message board.
• Visit <http://chess.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/>.
• Reconfirmed 2008.05.04 (EDeMund).

Copyright (c) 2006, 2007 Eric De Mund. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is available at <http://ixian.com/ba-chess-fdl.htm>.

The master version of this document lives at <http://ixian.com/ba-chess.htm>. Please send additions and corrections to <ead-ba-chess AT ixian DOT com>.

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