Interesting. Chess is VERY popular in our area. DD8 gravitated to chess by K. School chess is dominated by the boys, who outnumber girls by at least 10-1. The chess teacher believes boys are naturally superior at chess (has never said this to ME, but has commented to others). In final class matches, girls compete against girls, and boys against boys. DD has never worked very hard at chess (didn't play much or do the chess puzzles), but has won the small "girls" division more than once. I've always felt she needed to try harder, and that she should be playing against the boys for trophies, too. DS5 recently started chess and won his first large trophy. DD was jealous!!! Now DD is trying at chess...I am letting the healthy competition with her brother work on DD...he he!!!