Very true, Rob. There really isn't much money to be made in chess, though more so for the players than the companies.
These days, a 'gamer' of any flavour can make much more money enjoying themselves playing poker and more recently, League of Legends and Dota 2. I think there is a Hearthstone competitive league now as well.
A game tournament-hosting company (not necessarily the one that made the game) can make a heck of a lot more money from tournaments than any chess competition will. And I don't think this will change anytime soon.
Now I just wish Bridge leagues were more wealthy... not that I know how to play Bridge, but I love trick-taking games (esp. Pinochle and Spades) and hope to learn it one day.
still remember
kasparovchess.com (or named something like that)?
Even millionaire and the Greatest of all himself , Mr. Kasparov, had to shut down his side as he discovered, a chess site is much, much input and very little return on investment
Thanks to Goldenrob for the very informative comments on the "History of Online Chess" (Yet to be written for probably no financial gain already). So the site mentioned triggered at least some good!
"Wow, how can someone even reference that shredderchess site. It's the worst I've seen since yahoo chess."
LOL yes...I remember yahoo chess, unfortunately. Thanks for reminding me of that horrible time in my life.
#9 GoldenRob
I think we have to distinguish between chess being dead vs the opportunities for the elites to make money off of it being dead.
The reason why it's so hard to turn a profit with a chess site these days is precisely the same reason why the experience of playing chess online now is soooooo great - all these chess sites have to compete with each other for users offering up lots of features for free or low cost. We win- woo hoo! Can you imagine if every type of buisness had to do this... gas stations offering regular unleaded for free, and high octane fill ups at a low monthly price/ all the items on the value menu at your favorite fast food restaurant being free and the others for a nominal fee.... What a world it would be!
Again it's not an issue for us real people, but I do feel bad about the best chess players not making much money compared to professional sports players... but then again look at what big money has done to professional sports :P
Chess isn't included among the "big money" professional sports, I agree.
It's not part of what Noam Chomsky called "The established sports media machine" that "engenders chauvinistic and jingoistic attitudes of submission to authority" and "lets us cheer for our gladiators".
When I think about the money involved in American football, I can't help but feel marginalized.
Noam Chomsky- if there's anyone I would have loved to play an OTB with :) I wonder if he played.
Yea, there's already so much stress involved in competing in the highest levels of chess tournaments, some of them literally going insane, and others just really flakey personalities. Now increase that by adding multiple millions of dollars at stake. Too much pressure heh
well, you cannot premove on this site, so I dont like it :(
by "this site" I mean
shredderchess.com or whatever its called
Shredderchess is a joke.