About Cochise Chess
Our Mission
Cochise Chess elevates personal and community well-being through bilingual, inclusive, educational chess programs and collaborative partnerships with local organizations. Click here if you'd like our program to visit your community.
Our Story
Cochise Chess began as the Youth Chess Club at the Copper Queen Library in the summer of 2022. The chess club was so popular that the library and founder Nick Mueller decided to expand the club to kids of all ages in the fall.
After serving kids age 5 to over 80 that fall and the following spring it was time to grow even more. And what could bring more youth to the chess club than giving away a free tournament-quality chess set to every Bisbee-Naco area kid under 18 who played 5 games at the chess club?
The fundraising for this giveaway was so successful that we raised over $800 from individuals in less than a week. And a lawyer friend was so moved that he agreed to take care of the paperwork to make Cochise Chess a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2023!
In the fall of 2023, we expanded from 1 location to 7. We also added many members to our team, including assistant chess coaches and a Spanish tutor.
The year 2024 brings further growth for Cochise Chess. We will add at least one more location in the county this spring -- Naco, Arizona. Cochise Chess will also visit locations in Naco and Agua Prieta, Sonora this spring.
Want us to bring the chess sets and knowledge to your community? Just fill out this brief survey and we’ll be in touch!
Our Team
Founder and Coach
Nick Mueller
Assistant Coaches
Gil Acosta
Winston Frederickson
Barbara Mueller
Jesus Peña
Ryan Pepper
Brent Rafferty
Beca Reyes
Gloria Vargas
Volunteers
Joe Barron
Charles Carreon
Raya Mroczek
Thea Van Gorp