The Nicollet Knights Chess Club operates through District 191 Community Education and is Coached by Brian Ribnick. It serves students in grades 6-8 and meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-4:30 p.m. October-April in the Nicollet Middle School Media Center. It serves students from Nicollet MS and Eagle Ridge MS.
The mission of Nicollet Knights Chess is:
…to build character, encourage children to overcome the fear of risk taking;
…to teach concentration and self-discipline;
…to enable children to assume responsibility for their decisions;
…to reward determination and perseverance;
…to raise self esteem and promote good sportsmanship;
…to encourage socialization skills that extend across cultures and generations.
Our students play chess in club as well as at weekend tournaments if they choose. We do a lot of volunteering/fundraising as an organization so we can send our kids to the National tournament in May of each year. In 2025, there is a SuperNational tournament in Orlando, Florida.
Our biggest fundraiser each year is the Silent Auction, held in March. We also do concessions and equipment sales at chess tournaments, restaurant nights, bagging at grocery stores, car washes, hot dog stands, working at the Burnsville Fire Muster and so much more!
In addition to working hard we also play hard! Each year we plan a variety of fun events, from paintball to Great Wolf Lodge, LifeTime Fitness parties to Dave & Busters. No matter your kid’s level play, they will have a great time at chess club!
A letter may be earned by attendance and performances at practices and league play. Team and individual awards may be earned from league competition and special tournaments.
Enroll in Winter/Spring 2025 Nicollet Knights Chess!
Nicollet Middle School chess players at National competition in Atlanta, Georgia, in May 2024.
Check out the latest news from Nicollet Chess
- Kettle River Pizza Sales Fundraiser January 6-20The Nicollet Knights and Burnsville High School Chess Team annual pizza fundraiser begins Monday, January 6, and goes for two weeks, ending on January 20. For the seventh 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 …
Continue reading “Kettle River Pizza Sales Fundraiser January 6-20”
- Big wins at the National Middle School Chess Championship!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 …
Continue reading “Big wins at the National Middle School Chess Championship!”
- Annual Silent Auction kicks off Monday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.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 …
Continue reading “Annual Silent Auction kicks off Monday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m.”
- Kettle River Pizza Sales Fundraiser January 11-25The 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 …
Continue reading “Kettle River Pizza Sales Fundraiser January 11-25”
- Become a t-shirt sponsor by Nov. 1!