 At the start of the 21st century, various new, ambitious centres have opened worldwide, especially in the USA.This is partly as a result of a rapid growth in the interest in chess as an educational tool, and steadily increasing momentum in chess-in-schools programs.These centres are not only being called upon to supply professional chess coaches to schools, but are also generating a lot of business in the after-school activities market, as many parents are reporting myriad developmental and academic benefits for children involved in these programs.