Cochise Chess and
The Copper Queen Library present
The Copper Classic
Saturday, November 21, 2026
LOCATION: Copper Queen Library, 6 Main St., Bisbee, AZ 85603.
DESCRIPTION: A free, three-round US Chess-rated Swiss tournament presented by Cochise Chess and the Copper Queen Library with the support of the Legacy Foundation of Southeast Arizona. Tournament capacity is limited to 50 players total. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.
EQUIPMENT: Players are encouraged to bring a regulation tournament chess set and digital clock. Cochise Chess will provide a limited number of sets and clocks. Players should bring a pen or pencil for scorekeeping. Current US Chess membership is required to participate.
TIME CONTROL: G/25;d5. Both sections are US Chess dual-rated for Regular and Quick ratings.
REGISTRATION: Pre-registration is required to be paired for Round 1. Online pre-registration closes Thursday, November 19 at 10:00 PM at https://www.kingregistration.com/event/CQL2026fall
Players registering on site Friday morning will be accepted only if tournament capacity remains and will receive a zero-point bye for Round 1, entering the tournament beginning with Round 2.
Saturday, November 21 from 10:00–10:10 AM. Pre-registered players must check in by 10:10 AM to be included in the Round 1 pairings. Players arriving after Round 1 pairings have been posted may receive a zero-point bye for Round 1.
SECTIONS:
Open: US Chess Regular rating 1200 and above
Under 1200: US Chess Regular rating 1199 and below
Section eligibility is based on the October 2026 US Chess Regular Rating Supplement. Unrated players must enter the Open section unless otherwise approved by the Chief Tournament Director. No playing up.
ENTRY FEE: FREE. There is no required entry fee or donation.
Players and families who are able to do so are invited to make an optional $10 donation per player to help Cochise Chess offset US Chess rating fees, awards, equipment, and tournament operating costs. No donation is required to participate. Cash donations may also be made on site. Cochise Chess is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Thank you for helping us continue to provide accessible, high-quality tournament chess in Cochise County! This is the link to our PayPal Charity account for those who can give: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DM5SHQXUTCA9Q
BYES: Up to one half-point bye is permitted during the tournament, but no more than one half-point bye may be taken on Saturday. Round 1 bye requests must be submitted by 8:00 AM Thursday, November 19. All other half-point bye requests must be submitted before the start of Round 3. Bye requests become irrevocable after the applicable deadline.
SCHEDULE:
Saturday, November 21
Round 1, 10:15 am
Round 2, 11:30 am
Round 3, 12:45 pm
SCOREKEEPING: Players are required to keep score in both sections in accordance with US Chess rules.
A beginner who has not yet learned to keep score may request a scorekeeping exemption from the Chief Tournament Director in advance. To be considered for an exemption, the player must be under age 10 and either:
1. have a US Chess rating under 600; or
2. have been a US Chess member for fewer than three months.
Exemptions are granted at the discretion of the Chief Tournament Director. Players granted a scorekeeping exemption will begin each game with 40 minutes rather than 45 minutes, with the standard five-second delay.
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT: US Chess-permitted electronic notation devices and DGT electronic boards are permitted subject to TD approval. Players intending to use an electronic notation device must notify the tournament staff by email no later than 10:00 PM Thursday, November 19 and present the device to a TD for inspection before Round 1.
Players bringing DGT boards are responsible for setting up and removing their own equipment.
AWARDS: Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each section. Awards will be presented immediately following Round 5.
CHIEF TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR & CONTACT:
Nick Mueller Email: nick@cochisechess.org Text: 520-789-6665