How would chess be benefited by sanction (approval) as a MSHSL activity?
In a word, the benefit is “opportunity”. Approval of an activity by a state high school association is often key to growth of that activity throughout a state, and MSHSL approval seems certain to lead to more school boards throughout Minnesota supporting chess in their schools. In addition, while the MSHSL is a high school association, school board support in high schools will almost always be accompanied by support at the middle school/junior high and elementary levels, so sanction will provide greater chess opportunities for children of all ages in Minnesota and help chess grow in all regions of the state. Illinios is a good example. There were only 10-15 chess teams in Illinois, all in the Chicago area, when the Illinois High School Association approved chess as an official activity thirty years ago. Today, though, there are chess programs throughout Illinois, and their 2006 state high school chess tournament was attended by 126 teams of 8 players each (appx. 1000 students).
