How is the life of a professional chessplayer with ELO around 2500? I mean, someone who is no doubt strong, but hardly a top GM? How does he make a living these days, if he hasn't another job?
asked Dec 15, 2017 at 10:33
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8I don't think there are many, and they all do different things.– RemcoGerlichCommented Dec 15, 2017 at 10:51
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There are also people who got to 2500 for title purposes, but subsequently stop playing actively (especially if they become full-time trainers). As time goes by they only keep that rating in name, as they will find it harder and harder to hold their own against 2500-level opposition.– prusswanCommented Dec 23, 2017 at 17:48
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2 Answers
I know a few GMs in 2500-2600 range who would be considered professional -> ie chess provides the primary means of earning income for them.
It is very hard work with wages not matching the effort/skill spent:
- Being the primary player for medium club team (European/Middle East/Far East)
- Teaching (preferably within said club as it guarantees steady supply of clients)
- Being an personal assistant/coach to another player
- Playing for hire for a stronger club in say Bundesliga lower boards
- Actually getting some prize money in medium sized tournaments
- Books provide a tiny bit of income, but mostly are used for name/brand building for the next item
- Selling training coarses - again only a few can make a living from this
- A growing but still insufficient means of income is streaming, a few personalities can pull it off
- Playing in special norm tournaments, in Eastern Europe GMs get about 250-350Euros for a week long tournament, where IMs/FMs/untitled have to pay 100-300 Euros to compete for GM norms.
That said most GMs around 2500 have other means of living besides chess.
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1In your last bullet, is that 250-350Eur plus expenses? Otherwise, surely that's not profitable after you take into account travel, accommodation and meals? Commented Dec 15, 2017 at 15:29
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4@DavidRicherby It's not really profitable with or without expenses. Commented Dec 15, 2017 at 15:50
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5@SmallChess It might not be enough profit to make a living but being paid beyond your expenses is literally the definition of profit. Commented Dec 15, 2017 at 16:05
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1Yes, that really is 250-350 Euros for a week's worth of playing serious chess (9 rounds ). That would be above minimum wage in most of Eastern Europe. I paid 150 Euros (as an FM) to play in these tournaments. so 7 candidates paying versus 3GMs getting paid.– SintCommented Dec 15, 2017 at 18:16
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That said most GMs around 2500 have other means of living beside chess.I don't think. In Sri lanka most top players (2000 to 2200) living just from chess... Coaching, organizing torments, etc Commented Jan 4, 2019 at 5:45
Australia has some grandmasters, but no top GM (2700+). The country's legenary GM, Ian Rogers, is a renowned chess journalist. You can see his chess reports all over the Internet.
The other grandmasters either have a job or actively make a living by coaching. GM Max Illingworth is a professional chess coach.
I don't think anybody in Australia is able to make a living by just playing chess, grandmaster or not.
answered Dec 17, 2017 at 13:11
