How to Make Money From Chess?
You can make money from chess in several ways, whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or just passionate about the game. Here are the best ways to monetize your chess skills:
1. Play Chess Tournaments & Win Prize Money
💰 Potential Earnings: $100 – $1,000,000+
- Participate in online and offline chess tournaments.
- Platforms like Lichess, Chess.com, and ICC offer cash-prize tournaments.
- FIDE-rated events have significant prize pools for top players.
📌 Popular Tournaments:
- Chess.com Titled Tuesday
- FIDE World Chess Championship
- Online Blitz & Bullet Events
2. Become a Chess Coach
💰 Potential Earnings: $10 – $100+ per hour
- Teach beginners and intermediate players.
- Offer 1-on-1 coaching via Zoom, Skype, or Discord.
- Advertise services on Chess.com, Lichess, Fiverr, or Upwork.
📌 How to Get Clients:
- Create a LinkedIn or Twitter profile showcasing your chess expertise.
- Join Facebook groups and Discord servers for chess coaching.
- Offer free demo sessions to attract students.
3. Start a Chess YouTube Channel
💰 Potential Earnings: $500 – $50,000+ per month
- Create engaging chess content like game analysis, tutorials, and puzzles.
- Monetize through YouTube ads, sponsorships, and memberships.
- Examples: GothamChess, Hikaru Nakamura, ChessNetwork.
📌 Video Ideas:
- Chess openings & strategies
- Famous grandmaster games
- Speedrun challenges
4. Stream Chess on Twitch or Kick
💰 Potential Earnings: $500 – $10,000+ per month
- Stream chess games and interact with viewers.
- Earn from donations, ads, and sponsorships.
- Chess streamers like Hikaru and Botez Sisters make a full-time income.
📌 How to Grow:
- Play fun chess challenges.
- Engage with the chess community.
- Collaborate with other chess streamers.
5. Write Chess Articles & Books
💰 Potential Earnings: $100 – $5,000+ per month
- Write for chess blogs like ChessBase, Chess.com, or Lichess.
- Self-publish an ebook on chess strategies via Amazon Kindle.
- Create a paid Substack newsletter for chess enthusiasts.
📌 Topics to Write About:
- Chess openings and tactics
- Grandmaster analysis
- Chess puzzles and endgames
6. Sell Chess Courses Online
💰 Potential Earnings: $1,000 – $10,000+ per month
- Create courses on Udemy, Teachable, or Gumroad.
- Cover topics like beginner chess, advanced tactics, or openings.
- Offer premium courses to serious players.
7. Sell Chess Merchandise
💰 Potential Earnings: $500 – $10,000+ per month
- Design chess-themed T-shirts, mugs, and posters.
- Sell on platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Teespring.
- Dropship chess products via Shopify.
8. Play Chess for Cryptocurrency (NFTs & Web3 Games)
💰 Potential Earnings: Varies
- Some blockchain-based chess platforms offer crypto rewards.
- Examples: Immortal Game, Play Magnus App.
9. Chess Affiliate Marketing
💰 Potential Earnings: $100 – $5,000+ per month
- Promote chess-related products and earn commissions.
- Join affiliate programs for chess courses, books, and sets.
- Examples: Amazon Associates, Chess.com Membership, ICC.
10. Develop a Chess App or Website
💰 Potential Earnings: $500 – $50,000+ per month
- Create an AI-powered chess trainer or a chess puzzle app.
- Monetize through ads, in-app purchases, or subscriptions.
These are some of the best ways to make money from chess! Which one are you interested in? 🚀♟️