I wanted to know if I could make chess a career goal for myself? Like going to tournaments, or clubs. Depending on my expertise on chess, I am constantly learning every day at least 5 hours a day. I live in the LA county in California and would like to know where I could start my career. I love chess and I don't want to work where I do not enjoy myself. Thanks for the specific info. ,josh
2007-01-11 08:41:04 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Games & Recreation ➔ Board Games
Frankly, making chess a career is not promising. Every top player I remember from the 1970s went into a different profession. Chess books don't sell well enough, you can't make enough giving lessons, and living off prize money is out of the question.
Unless you are the next Bobby Fischer, you will live a very modest lifestyle. More to the point, if you are smart enough to be a top player, you can make twenty times as much money doing something else.
2007-01-11 11:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can make chess a 'career' simply by committing yourself to it daily. But, I don't think that is what you are asking. You are asking can you make a 'living' at chess...
Only the very best players can make a living playing chess. Entering weekenders and winning top prizes consistently (generally not much more than $500; Some bigger tournaments a bit more) is difficult to do week in and week out. Even your basic run-of-the-mill GM has to subsidize his chess income with a job.
Start your career at weekend tournament open section events. If you consistently start to win, then move up in class to national events which pay bigger prize funds.
It's a tought road to hoe, however, and I think you'll starve unless you are a phenom chess talent, but good luck!
By the way, who has 5 hours to spare a day on chess? You must be a youngin'!
2007-01-12 15:16:56 · answer #2 · answered by markgravitygood 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you have no chance. Even if you are able to become really good and able to win multiple tournaments the biggest prize is like $100,000 and thats for a huge tourney with the worlds top chess players. You can make maybe $1000 a weekend for a small tourney but it is very hard to become good enough to do that.
2007-01-12 00:30:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋