A clever dad at my son's elementary school started a chess club. A professional chess player would come once a week and give lessons afterschool. It wasn't long before the club started competeting in district and regional games.
Well, that is how my son started playing chess. He played for 2-3 years until someone in middle school said chess is for geeks and wierdos. Before that, he placed 20th in state competitions under his ranking class.
I hope he starts playing again. He's a teen now and beats all of us here at the house. Sometimes he will play online or with the computer.
It's very good strategic thinking practice!
