Fear not scholastic chess

Tom Braunlich initiated a spirited debate about scholastic chess with his article "Scholastics and the Soul of Chess" (and this subsequent update). For those who share Tom's point of view, all may not be lost. Consider this account from Neil Steinberg's column in the Chicago Sun-Times:

My oldest son belongs to Chess Wizards, a program that comes into public schools and sets up chess clubs, pairing interested students with experienced teachers.

Some schools, I am told, resist. They don't like chess.

Any idea why?

Think hard.

In chess . . . someone wins, usually.

Can't have that. The losers might feel bad.

Of course, these particular school administrators would hail Peter Leko as a hero. (Hat Tip: Mental multivitamin)