Chess is becoming more popular with U.S. children, the Crossville, Tenn.-based U.S. Chess Federation says.

"Scholastic chess is experiencing a real resurgence," said Jerry Nash, scholastic director of the federation. "And that's just the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to kids playing chess."

The organization has 45,000 members who are 18 and under. Last year, 5,300 children participated at the Super Nationals tournament, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Several studies have shown children benefit intellectually from playing chess, and there is anecdotal evidence from parents and teachers that chess has helped students develop higher-level thinking skills and perform better in school, said Rourke O'Brien, president of America's Foundation for Chess, The non-profit organization trains teachers to bring chess into classrooms.

Although chess is significantly less expensive than most other childhood activities, parents of competitive chess players can spend $30 to $200 an hour on private coaches.