Why Chess Might Not Be Worth It...

[stevenlafrance]

Many males and females stop due to lack of money. There’s only so much room at the top.
That’s also true in music and sports.

[nossenkanter]

"jUsT sTrEaM iT iNsTeAd" - aLeX bOtEz 🤑

[Nkdvhn]

This is not a financial decision. She became youngest Professor at University of Shenzhen. I assume this is way more fulfilling than being a FIDE/social media cash cow.

[eliasvonbrille]

Being a Professor and World class chess player are both things that should need your full focus.
I have no clue how she even managed to do both at the same time up until now. That's seriously incredible.

[jaysrandomvideos]

That's why hikaru said he's a full time streamer being a chess master on the side because he earns more streaming than competing

[postyoda]

Most of the info is wrong. Hou Yifan would have made a lot of money from chess, she won every women's tournament. Second, she never said she's retiring because of financial reasons. She quit chess because she was studying at Oxford. Also all Grandmasters can financially support themselves, and some IMs. That's at least like 10k people, who can earn by teaching, winnings from open tournaments, courses, books, etc.

[KhayrunMoni]

Bro and sis just broke my chess motivation in 60 seconds💀💀

[dannyosolo]

As a Middle ranked Chess player this is true and worrisome 😢😢

[puma]

Chess is for fun. I hope she will continue to have fun playing (and find players her level)

[hahahahahhahahahah]

Imagine someone asking what your profession is and you get to say that you're a CHESS MASTER

[FurEliseFlamenco]

It is more than that: the Chinese chess federation taxes it’s players extremely regressive for winnings. Something like 80-90%

[TheFriendu]

Very smart, sensible, realistic & practical lady.
Utilizing time to fulfilling, and living a purposeful life.
Jiayu Ho❤

[HabaneroChilipepper]

The way you pronounced Hou Yifan's name sounds like you're saying 'good spaghetti' in Cantonese.

[melhaharris]

That is a good point, happy for her For becoming one of the best.

[EHJ_BrainFog]

Intrtrsting . I never thought about chess being divided male and female..
I know it's frustrating, always consider " is this entertainment" if yes then $$'s are discretionary. ❤

[MasterSiris]

She was also taken out of her seat so other could take photos with others. She was disrespected and disregard. She is so nice that she let others take her pride away. She deserves better.

[GaryTheGray]

This reason was also highlighted in a scene in "Searching for Bobby Fischer". I think that social media has helped some players a lot, as it gets their name out there and creates other ways of making money to support their career. Still, it isn't easy, and probably never will be. I have a few chess players that I support on different platforms in order to help out. I'm old, and I'll never be a grandmaster, but I love the art of chess, and love to be a part of a growing community. It's a good feeling to help others out.

[paulcampbell]

Literally her best MOVE CHECKMATE.
I'm sure she has a bright future ahead of her. God bless

[cortonimor]

Hou Yifan wasn't one of the best, she was the best. If she wanted to she could easily have continued playing and won every single tournament, making a very substantial living along the way. I always got the impression that she quit because there is more to life than fame and fortune and chess is just a game after all. I respect her for following her heart and doing what was right for her despite many snobs along the way claiming to know her path better than her.

[Iain]

It's a niche game, anybody can appreciate a great goal or a great pass or piece of skill, or a great save in football.

But appreciating why bishop takes pawn is so much better than rook takes pawn, for example requires a knowledge of the game, so a casual observer doesn't have a clue what's going on.

Basically it's not exciting or fun for most people, so no money...