Menlo Park Chess Club

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse Chess Evening
2023-04-13 18:00 - 21:45 (America/Los_Angeles) | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting now occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz and bughouse chess are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for April 20th.

No Chess Club Meeting Tonight, April 20th!
2023-04-20 18:00 - 21:45 | CA
Apologies for the short notice but I came down with a bad cold a couple days ago and am not yet well enough to make it to the club this evening (and I may still be contagious and don’t wish to expose others to this virus). This highlights the need for at least one additional person who can bring the equipment to the club and set up for casual play on those evenings when I’m unavailable, something which is very easy to do with a little help. I’ll try to round up 3-4 volunteers who are willing to cover during my absence and hopefully late cancelations such as this won’t happen again. I hope to see many of you next week (I’ll definitely be well by then)! Regards,

Mark Drury

Mad Hatter Ladder Blitz Swiss
2023-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold a free, unrated 5-round blitz tournament with a G/5+0 time control in one section over one evening, April 27th, and the outcome of this event will determine the initial positions on the club’s blitz ladder (more details about the ladder and possible prizes associated with it over the course of the year will be shared soon). The first round begins promptly at 7pm, please check in at the club no later than 6:45pm!

"Hall of Bright Carvings" Quick Swiss, Rounds 1 & 2
2023-05-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold another USCF-rated tournament beginning Thursday, May 4th, at 7pm, a four round Swiss-system event over two weeks using the Quick-rated G/15 d/3 time control, with two games played each evening. This tournament is suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Multiple sections will be created with the goal of allowing players four games against opposition close to their own rating or skill level (sections could be as small as 8-10 players). Details follow:

Format: Four round Swiss-system tournament in 2-4 sections, two games per evening
Rounds: May 4th and 11th—play begins promptly at 7:00pm but please arrive by 6:45pm to check in
Control: G/15 d/3 (USCF Quick time control)
Entry Fee: $5 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12), entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
Prizes: Players will be divided into two or more sections based upon rating and number of participants; top two scorers in each section win that section’s prize fund, with 1st place taking ~75% (any ties will split the cash prize).
Byes: Half-point byes are available for any round except the last
Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button above
Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
Tournament is limited to 36 players so early registration is encouraged
Withdraw at any time up to the start of the event for a full refund
Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club or tweet @MenloParkChess
Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

"Hall of Bright Carvings" Quick Swiss, Rounds 3 & 4
2023-05-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold another USCF-rated tournament over two consecutive Thursdays, May 4th and May 11th, at 7pm, a four round Swiss-system event using the Quick-rated G/15 d/3 time control, with two games played each evening. This tournament is suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Multiple sections will be created with the goal of allowing players four games against opposition close to their own rating or skill level (sections could be as small as 8-10 players). Details follow:

Format: Four round Swiss-system tournament in 2-4 sections, two games per evening
Rounds: May 4th and 11th—play begins promptly at 7:00pm but please arrive by 6:45pm to check in
Control: G/15 d/3 (USCF Quick time control)
Entry Fee: $5 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12), entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
Prizes: Players will be divided into two or more sections based upon rating and number of participants; top two scorers in each section win that section’s prize fund, with 1st place taking ~75% (any ties will split the cash prize).
Byes: Half-point byes are available for any round except the last
Register: Closed after Round 2 on May 4th
Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
Tournament is limited to 36 players so early registration is encouraged
Withdraw at any time up to the start of the event for a full refund
Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club or tweet @MenloParkChess
Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse Chess Evening
2023-05-18 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz and bughouse chess are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for early June.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-05-25 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for mid-June.

Isles of Blood and Spices Blitz
2023-06-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
In a final homage to Mervyn Peake—for now—the Menlo Park Chess Club will hold an unrated 5-round tournament with a G/5 time control (no increment or delay) in one section over one evening Thursday, June 1st, our Isles of Blood and Spices Blitz. The entry fee is $5, all of which will be returned in prize money, the distribution of which will be based on ratings groupings and number of entries. Games played during this event which meet our blitz ladder criteria will also impact ladder standings. Entries are limited to 32 players so please register early using the button, above, and provide a US Chess ID or Lichess.org/Chess.com handle to give some idea of your blitz strength. The first round begins promptly at 7pm—please check in at the club no later than 6:45pm!

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-06-08 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for June 15th.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Philadelphia Union
2023-06-10 19:30 - 22:00 | PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95110, United States
Menlo Park Chess Club member Tutul Rahman, who also happens to be VP of Marketing for the San Jose Earthquakes, has very generously offered to sponsor two club outings to Earthquakes matches in June. The first occurs Saturday, June 10th, at 7:30pm, when the Earthquakes take on the Philadelphia Union at PayPal Park (information about that matchup may be found here). Tickets are limited so please select no more than four (4) when registering for this event, unless you have a compelling reason for needing more (kids and their friends who love the Earthquakes and soccer, say), and it goes without saying that you should not resell your tickets for any reason. If you find you cannot attend the match please let mark@drury.com know and I’ll offer them to others on our wait list, if one develops.

June Dual-Rated Short Swiss, Round 1
2023-06-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold another USCF-rated tournament over three consecutive Thursdays June 15th, 22nd and 29th, a three-round Swiss-system event using the dual-rated G/30;d5 time control, with one game played each evening beginning at 7pm. This tournament is suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Multiple sections will be created with the goal of allowing players three games against opposition close to their own rating or skill level (sections could be as small as 8-10 players). Details follow:

Format: Three round Swiss-system tournament in 2-4 sections, one game per evening
Rounds: June 15th, 22nd and 29th—play begins promptly at 7:00pm, please arrive by 6:45pm to check in
Control: G/30;d5 (US Chess dual-rated time control)
Entry Fee: $5 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12), entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
Prizes: Players will be divided into two or more sections based upon rating and number of participants; top three scorers in each section win that section’s prize fund, with 1st place taking ~65% (any ties will split the cash prize).
Byes: Zero-point byes are available for any round
Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a digital clock if you own one)
All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
Tournament is limited to 36 players so early registration is encouraged
Withdraw at any time up to the start of the event for a full refund
Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club or tweet @MenloParkChess
Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

June Dual-Rated Short Swiss, Round 2
2023-06-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold another USCF-rated tournament over three consecutive Thursdays June 15th, 22nd and 29th, a three-round Swiss-system event using the dual-rated G/30;d5 time control, with one game played each evening beginning at 7pm. This tournament is suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Multiple sections will be created with the goal of allowing players three games against opposition close to their own rating or skill level (sections could be as small as 8-10 players). Details follow:

Format: Three round Swiss-system tournament in 2-4 sections, one game per evening
Rounds: June 15th, 22nd and 29th—play begins promptly at 7:00pm, please arrive by 6:45pm to check in
Control: G/30;d5 (US Chess dual-rated time control)
Entry Fee: $5 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12), entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
Prizes: Players will be divided into two or more sections based upon rating and number of participants; top three scorers in each section win that section’s prize fund, with 1st place taking ~65% (any ties will split the cash prize).
Byes: Zero-point byes are available for any round
Register: Closed after start of first round
Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a digital clock if you own one)
All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
Tournament is limited to 36 players so early registration is encouraged
Withdraw at any time up to the start of the event for a full refund
Our tournament chess rules summary is worth perusing if you’re new to tournament play
For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club or tweet @MenloParkChess
Join our Facebook group to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

San Jose Earthquakes vs. St. Louis City SC
2023-06-24 19:30 - 22:00 | PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA, 95110, United States
Menlo Park Chess Club member Tutul Rahman, who also happens to be VP of Marketing for the San Jose Earthquakes, has very generously offered to sponsor two club outings to Earthquakes matches in June. The second occurs Saturday, June 24th, at 7:30pm, when the Earthquakes take on the St. Louis City SC at PayPal Park (information about that matchup may be found here). Tickets are limited so please select no more than four (4) when registering for this event, unless you have a compelling reason for needing more (kids and their friends who love the Earthquakes and soccer, say), and it goes without saying that you should not resell your tickets for any reason. If you find you cannot attend the match please let mark@drury.com know and I’ll offer them to others on our wait list, if one develops.

June Dual-Rated Short Swiss, Round 3
2023-06-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-07-06 18:00 - 21:45, 2023-07-13 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for early August.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-07-20 18:00 - 21:45, 2023-07-27 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for early August. Note that Mark Drury won’t attend this week so new visitors may wish to arrive round 7pm to give other club members time to set up for the evening. Please bring your own boards, sets and clocks if you have them.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-08-03 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll discuss details of the next tournament, tentatively scheduled for August 10th. We may also hold another impromptu blitz tournament this evening, interest permitting.

August Double-Round Quads, Round 1
2023-08-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
The Menlo Park Chess Club will hold USCF Quick-rated double-round quads over three consecutive weeks beginning Thursday, August 10th, using the G/15;d/10 time control and playing two games against each opponent during the same evening, one as white and one as black. No byes will be available for this event so if you are unable to play all three weeks (August 10th, 17th, 24th) please do not register for the tournament. These quads are suitable for experienced players as well as newer US Chess members seeking to establish an over-the-board rating. Details follow:

Format: Double-round quad tournament over three weeks, two games per evening against the same opponent
Rounds: August 10th, 17th and 24th—games begin promptly at 7:00pm
Control: G/15;d/10 (Quick-rated game of 15 minutes per player plus a 10-second delay per move)
Entry Fee: $10 (PayPal: mark@drury.com; Venmo: @Mark-Drury-12), entire entry fee goes to the prize fund.
Prizes: First place in each quad receives $25, second place receives $15, any ties will split the cash prize
Byes: No byes are available for this event
Register: Please sign up in advance using the ‘Register’ button, above
Entries: Limited to 32 players (8 quads) so please register early
Boards, sets and clocks will be provided by the Menlo Park Chess Club (bring a clock if you own one)
All tournament participants must be current US Chess members
Our tournament chess rules summary is mandatory reading if you’re new to tournament play
For more information please send email to info@menloparkchess.club or tweet @MenloParkChess
Join our Facebook group or email list to stay abreast of future club tournaments and events

August Double-Round Quads, Round 2
2023-08-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States

August Double-Round Quads, Round 3
2023-08-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-08-31 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we’ll also play any makeup games from our August Quick-Rated Quads this evening, if needed.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-09-07 18:00 - 21:45, 2023-09-21 18:00 - 21:45, 2023-09-28 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing and we may also play another impromptu blitz tournament (free, no prizes), given there appears to be an appetite for same.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-09-14 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing, as usual.
Please note: I (Mark Drury) will not be at the club this week, September 14th, but the room will be open for those who wish to play some casual, blitz, bughouse or ladder chess games. Those who do attend will need to bring their own chess equipment and set up tables for play, as needed, then return the tables to their usual configuration before leaving–takes all of a few minutes to do so. I will share more information about our G/60;d5 club championship occurring in Oct/Nov and a few other events upon my return next week.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-10-05 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing, as usual.
Please note: I (Mark Drury) will not be at the club this week, October 5th, but the room will be open for those who wish to play some casual, blitz, bughouse or ladder chess games. Those who do attend will need to bring their own chess equipment and set up tables for play, as needed, then return the tables to their usual configuration before leaving–takes all of a few minutes to do so.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-10-12 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing, as usual.
Please note: I (Mark Drury) will not be at the club this week, October 12th, but the room will be open for those who wish to play some casual, blitz, bughouse or ladder chess games. Those who do attend will need to bring their own chess equipment and set up tables for play, as needed, then return the tables to their usual configuration before leaving–takes all of a few minutes to do so.

Casual, Blitz, Bughouse, Ladder Chess Evening
2023-10-19 18:00 - 21:45 | Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, 700 Alma Street, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, United States
Our regular weekly club meeting occurs Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:45pm in the Oak Room of the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center. Casual, blitz, bughouse and ladder chess games are in the offing, as usual.
Please note: I (Mark Drury) will not be at the club this week, October 19th, but the room will be open for those who wish to play some casual, blitz, bughouse or ladder chess games. Those who do attend will need to bring their own chess equipment and set up tables for play, as needed, then return the tables to their usual configuration before leaving–takes all of a few minutes to do so.
