I have found that people who love chess (admittedly not a mainstream hobby) can be very passionate about it and get very excited when they find someone talented at it. That's been our experience with DS. Three chess club teachers have told us he has grandmaster potential, given practice/coaching, and one parent who knows the game well pulled DH aside after watching DS play several times. She wanted him to know she thought he was exceptionally talented at it and needed higher-level coaching than the club teachers couldn't provide. So it may just be that they are genuinely excited about his potential!