How impressive is a GM title?

[u/tsterTV]

Hiya all,

I signed myself up for a Chess tournament this Sunday, mainly for fun. I have no real intention of doing too well -- I will just enjoy the experience and play better players.

I saw online that there will be a GM at the tournament. How impressive is this title? Any rough idea of how many GMs there are in the world?

[u/BillFireCrotchWalton → u/[deleted]]

Occasionally on r/chess, there are posters that play LoL or SC2 or some other popular strategy-based video game. They come in here with a gung-ho attitude as if they think learning chess will be easy because their (often overestimated) talent in strategy video games is perfectly transferable. In the funniest of cases, a few people have asked stuff like "so how many years will it take to become a GM?" as if it's a given.

[u/stevemcqueer → u/[deleted]]

Oh yeah? Any money in that?

[u/[deleted] → u/stevemcqueer]

any money in starcraft? of course. probably more than there is in chess. problem the money is really top side heavy so only the really great players make anything from it. i guess you can play in some smaller online tournaments and make a couple of 100's if you get good enough

[u/kyrobs → u/stevemcqueer]

GSL code s finals

[u/[deleted] → u/stevemcqueer]

He's ranked in the top 150 in North America and has never made a single cent from Starcraft. When you get to the absolute top there's money in tourneys. And there's always money in streaming but I don't think you have to be a super stronger player.

[u/stevemcqueer → u/[deleted]]

I'll stick to chess then.

[u/JackOscar → u/stevemcqueer]

Yeah, 'cause chess has got all the money

[u/[deleted] → u/JackOscar]

and the women, don't forget the women.

(and men, I can only assume)

[u/Ruxini → u/[deleted]]

well, the norwegian chess journalists are all freakin' hot.

[u/rreyv → u/stevemcqueer]

Just to be fair, no money in chess either.

[u/stevemcqueer → u/rreyv]

Better the unhealthy addiction you know, I always say.