I assume this is an experience others here have had with children who are athletically talented--the sense that the child is being viewed by coaches as a bit of a commodity. It is new to us. I will say that we did somewhat expect this.
Private chess coach is totally NOT something we are considering.
I think you and Mama are being too cynical.
It's the job of piano teachers/baseball coaches/chess coaches/kindergarten teachers to identify talent in piano, baseball, chess, and academics. The failure of teachers to identify and nurture academic talent largely explains the existence of this forum. You described earlier what your 5yo can do in chess, and other parents and I said he was ready for tournaments. If money were not a concern, I think private lessons should be considered. I teach my 6yo daughter (who has some talent) at home.
An inexpensive alternative to private lessons that I recommend (and have used with my children) is a subscription to Chess Magnet School
http://www.chessmagnetschool.com/ , which costs $30/year. There is a series of lessons and problems through which students progress.
