Many of the world's top chess players can live happily ever after on prize money.
Of course, Magnus Carlson, who is currently ranked no. 1 in the world, is the most profitable chess player. According to conservative estimates, Carlson is worth more than $8 million. Carlson has dominated the world chess world since his victory in 2013 and has frequently won tournaments at all levels, earning an estimated annual income of more than $2 million, as well as a lot of additional income from advertising and sponsorship.
The world's other top elephant masters also have good incomes. Top masters such as Karuana, Ding Liren, Anand, Topalov, Aronian, Gristuk, Kramnik, Kiri, Karyakin, Mitsumi Nakamura, Nepomnyach and Su Weili win more than $500,000 a year in prize money for various tournaments.
However, the distribution of prize money in tournaments is always higher ranked and less ranked lower. Throughout the history of chess competitions, winning prize money for world championships has dwarfed the revenue of other less influential tournaments.
This has been the case until recently, for example, in 2019, Ding Liren won the Sinkfield Cup with a prize of $82,500, but it is indeed much less than the prize money of 550,000 euros (equivalent to $625,100) at the 2018 Carlson World Championship.
The Chess World Championship has always been the most influential trump card in the chess world, and the world champions have received a corresponding huge income.
Let's take a look at the growth of the prize money of the previous chess world championships.
1886, Steinitz vs Zukwit: total prize money of £800
William Steinitz (1836-1900)
The prize money was divided equally, and Steinitz won the game.
1891, Steinitz vs. Gunsberg: total prize money of $3,000
In the 1891 match, Steinitz vs. Gonsberg
Steinitz won the race and won the $2,000 championship prize.
In 1921, Capablanca vs Lasker: total prize money of $25,000
Kaba Blanca vs. Lasker in Moscow
Caba Blanca won the race but only received $12,000 in prize money, while Lasker got $13,000.
In 1927, Alejan vs Capablanca: total prize money of $10,000
Alexander Alyohin, referee Dr. Carlos Augusto Quilense and José Raúl Capablanca during the 1927 Chess Championship in Buenos Aires
Alyohin won the tournament with a championship prize of $8,000 and Capablanca received only $2,000 in appearance fees.
In 1935, Yu Wei vs Alyo Xin: $10,000 in prize money
In 1935 Yu Wei and Alyo Xin after the game
You Wei won the competition and received $10,000 in prize money.
1966, Petros vs Spassky: $2,000 prize
Tigran Pietro
In soviet times, the World Chess World Championship was just an internal affair, so Petroson won the game with only $2,000 in prize money.
1972, Fisher vs Spassky: $250,000 in total prize money
Bobby Fisher vs. Spassky at the 1972 World Chess Championship
Bobby Fisher brought unprecedented interest and money to the World Chess Championship. In addition to the huge prize money, Fisher also demanded 30% of the game's television rights and admission. Of course, Fisher won the race with a championship prize of $156,250.
1978, Karpov vs Kochinoy: $560,000 in prize money
Kochnoy vs. Karpov at the 1978 World Chess Championship
Karpov won the game, winning $350,000.
1990, Kasparov vs Karpov: total prize money of $3 million
Kasparov won, winning $1.875 million.
In 1995, Kasparov vs Anand: total prize money of $1.5 million
Vichy Anand
Kasparov defeated Anand to win the world championship and captured $1 million.
In 2000, Kasparov vs. Kramnik: $2 million in total prize money
At the 2000 World Chess Championship, Cramnik and Kasparov played off
Cramnik shocked Kasparov and the world, and he won $1.33 million.
In 2006, Krannik vs Topalov: total prize money of $1 million
The prize money was arranged to be divided equally, $500,000 per person, with Kramnick winning.
2008, Anand vs. Kramnik: total prize money of €1.5 million ($1.9 million)
Vichy Anand vs. Vladimir Cramnik at the 2008 World Chess Championship
Anand won the championship, and each player received the same $950,000 prize
Anand vs. Topalov in 2010: total prize money of €2 million ($2.8 million)
2010 World Chess Championships Toppalov vs. Anand
Anand won, winning $1.68 million in championship prize money.
In 2012, Anand vs Gail Vander: $2.55 million in total prize money
At the 2012 World Chess Championships, Boris Gelfonder played against Vichy Anand
Anand won, winning $1.53 million. In addition to this, Anand received a $400,000 award from the Indian government.
In 2013, Carlson vs. Anand: $2.5 million in total prize money
In the fifth match of the 2013 World Chess Championship, Vichy Anand played against Magnus Carlson
Carlson won the championship with a prize of $1.5 million.
Carlson vs Anand in 2014: total prize money of €1 million ($1.25 million)
Magnus Carlson and Vichy Anand in the match
Tournament winner Carlson got $750,000 and Anand got $500,000.
2018, Carlson vs Caruana: Total prize money of €1 million ($1.25 million)
At the 2018 World Chess Championships in London, 27-year-old Carlson won a championship prize of 550,000 euros ($625,100). Caruana received 450,000 euros ($511,400).
Transferred from the public account of Si Peirun
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