Chess has become extremely popular among the general public thanks to Netflix’s show Queen’s Gambit. Even live streaming sites, for example, are now assisting players in generating revenue while allowing the general public to watch their games. These figures have not only attracted more players, but they have also piqued the interest of many more people in the game.
However, a Twitch streamer in the United States recently declined a sponsorship deal that would have guaranteed him a large sum of money. Hans Niemann, the incoming grandmaster, explained his decision, which has many people baffled.
While many players seek sponsorships to launch their careers, streaming sites have proven to be a lucrative source of revenue. Niemann recently stated that he plans to concentrate on online chess because it is easier to watch than other sports. Although he has returned to the board to focus on his game, he used to earn $6,000-10,000 per month from his streaming services.
Players have been able to make money from their games thanks to donations and sponsorships on Twitch, an Amazon-owned live streaming platform. Now, Niemann has stated that he will reject those deals in order to concentrate on something far more important.
Many other streamers, in addition to Hans, make a living playing chess online. Alexandra and Andrea Botez have one million Twitch followers and make a lot of money every month. As a result, many people believe this is a new direction for the sport.
Many streamers have been encouraged to play chess online as a result of recent trends in chess viewership. Magnus Chess AS owns 8.9% of PlayMagnus, a chess earnings management app. Carlsen’s father, Henrik, spoke after his fifth world title about how the sport is evolving.
Meanwhile, Espen Agdestein, the app’s co-founder, spoke about the potential of streaming services and how the internet benefits the chess community. He believes that the game is in its best period since its launch, and that many streamers are benefiting from it.
