Well, when you say you're playing someone better, the crucial thing is how MUCH better.....a difference of about 100-200 points is ideal. If you're losing EVERY game, then your opponent is probably too strong for you to be beneficial, but don't let rating be the only measure of ability when it comes to finding an opponent who will help you sharpen your game. If you find you are beating your opponent too many games, then regardless of his or her rating, you ought to find someone who gives you the necessary challenge. Another thought on the "rating isn't the only criteria" theory: Pick opponents that vary in style. It is great practice to play a few games with a tactically minded player, and then a few games against someone who has a more solid, positional approach. Soon you will find that you have all the bases covered and are at home in many types of positions. One more thing: If you have just played one of those games against a superior opponent where you had that feeling of "What just happened?", ASK him! Let him show you where you went wrong. That's how you learn. And that's how THEY learned.

Hmm. Are you asking me how to tell if he has the talent to be World Champ? Or are you asking me if I recommend traveling that path? You also don't tell me how long he has been playing, but as a rule, recent World Champion Candidates were master strength or close at the age your son is now. This of course means only so much.....his attitude and the level of training he can be exposed to are more important factors. If you live in a large city, you find an International Master who tutors. If you are not near a metropolitan area, look in the chess magazines or on-line chess sites (chess.net has several available titled players who offer lessons). And if you meant "Is chasing the World Chess Crown an attainable goal?", a good answer to your question is: If he truly loves the game and is willing to work toward it, I wouldnt discourage anyone from any goal they set for themselves. And if your son decides eventually to pursue another line of work, I can only believe that an exceptional talent for chess would help him.

Not that I know of. I would find it hard to recommend your line as after 2....a6, Black wins a tempo because white must move the bishop a second time, throwing away the advantage of the first move. Also the bishop has only passive squares to retreat to, as 3 Ba4?? b5 4 Bb3 c4 snags the bishop. So white is left with 3 Be2, a sad retreat after only 3 moves for the first player!