Congratulations to the Nicollet Knights Middle School Chess Club, which competed in the 2024 Middle School Chess Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month. We sent 22 kids into competition, where they competed alongside nearly 1,200 other students from 36 states.

RESULTS:
• 1st place in the U700 level
• 2nd place in the U900 level
• 2nd place in the U1100 level
• 3rd place in the Blitz tournament

• Kieran Martin, grade 7, placed 1st 
• Franklin Briceno, grade 6, placed 4th
• Emery Gehrke, grade 8, placed 5th
• Torin Gehrke, grade 7, placed 11th

In addition, nearly every player increased their rating and certainly their chess experience. It was an amazing chess season and the bonds our kids have made this year are incredible. Thank you so much to everyone for your support!

Our most especial thanks goes to Coach Brian Ribnick, who has been training our students and taking them all the way to national competition for years, as well as the other coaches and masters who have helped our team this school year. Thank you also to all of the parents and community members for your support!

If you are interested in showing YOUR support, consider sponsoring our chess t-shirts for the 2024-2025 season. Contact Mark Burtnett at burtnettmark@gmail.com. Thank you!

YESTERDAY, OUR TEAM PLACED 2ND IN THE STATE!

Today, it’s time to support them with our biggest fundraiser of the year, our annual SILENT AUCTION.

Join us March 11-25 for an auction featuring nearly $10,000 in items generously donated from Community Sponsors! These items include gift cards to restaurants, entertainment, auto care packages, memorabilia, private lessons from Chess Masters, chess themed merchandise and much MORE.

Please note the auction kicks off TODAY, March 11, at 3:30 p.m. However, you can browse the auction items now and scope out the items you wish to bid on.

https://www.32auctions.com/Nicolletknightschess

Funds raised through this event supports our team of middle school students at chess tournaments throughout the State and even to National competition, held in Atlanta, Georgia, this year. Please share this post with friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers!

The Nicollet Knights and Burnsville High School Chess Team annual pizza fundraiser begins Thursday, January 11, and goes for two weeks, ending on January 25. For the sixth year in a row we are partnering with the popular Kettle River Pizza from Askov, Minn.

Money earned from this frozen pizza fundraiser goes directly toward our chess club members accounts and pays for tournaments, club events, and State and National competitions.

Pizzas are $14 each or 3 for $39. Chess club members earn $6 for every $14 pizza sold or $5 for every $13 pizza sold.

All order forms and payment must be turned in to Ann Stage, Pizza Fundraising Chair, no later than Thursday, January 25. On February 8, pizzas will be delivered to Ann’s home where you will pick them up and deliver them to your customers. People can pay with cash, checks made to Nicollet Knights Chess Club, or they can order online at https://forms.gle/6fJZFn7K62rWsumLA.

When using the form, customers should list the name of the Club member they wish to sponsor. If they don’t have a particular member in mind, they may just list “Club”.

Questions? Contact Ann Stage at 952-994-2976.