Chess may help in School?

I almost hesitate to mention it but I have stumble across a few newspaper articles and research studies about Chess being taught in schools.  It is often mentioned as something that has helped students learn and do better in school.  Hmmm, hey I, like most of you, thought it was just a fun and challenging activity.  In an article by Todd Silberman in the News & Observer it stated "It's not yet 8 a.m. at Northern High School in Durham, and Brandyn Council and Derek Peaks are locked in a tense standoff.  Over a chess board. In a twist on an ancient game, some schools in the Triangle and across the nation are quietly introducing chess as a tool to teach students to sit still, think and concentrate. For a generation raised on video games, a 1,400-year-old board game that relies strictly on brain power is finding surprising allure. "Some video games don't make you think as much," said Derek as fellow freshman Brandyn closed in for the kill. "This is more challenging." "I think it's such a great way to get kids to think critically," said Susan Lamar, state director of AVID in North Carolina. All that may be true, but students also are drawn to the kings, bishops, knights and pawns because the game is fun. Josh Leacock, a freshman at Northern High School, likens chess to football. "You can use different strategies," he said. "It warms your brain up and gets you thinking." Restof the story at http://www.newsobserver.com/2005/04/25/65852/chess-makes-move-into-schools.html#storylink=cpy