[tzs]

Chess in person with other people is quite different from chess online with random internet people. A chess tournament is usually more than just sitting down and playing your games--it is typical a social event.

You don't say if your kid was just playing in school tournaments, or if he was playing in tournaments open to all players. If the later, chess tournaments (and local chess clubs) are one of the few places kids can interact with adults and be treated as equals.

It's really a lot like sports. If your kid takes an interest in, say, basketball, will you stop him from getting on the school team because he has very little chance of becoming an NBA player?