Being a Chess Professional ft. GM Felix Blohberger
Dojo Talks
Being a Chess Professional ft. GM Felix Blohberger | Dojo Talks
What does it actually look like to build a career in chess today? In this episode of Dojo Talks, Kostya and David sit down with GM Felix Blohberger, a young grandmaster from Vienna who is navigating the modern reality of professional chess. The discussion moves beyond tournament results and explores the practical side of the profession: income streams, training methods, content creation, and the long-term sustainability of a chess career.
A Modern Chess Career Is Multi-Faceted
Blohberger explains that being a chess professional today rarely means living purely from tournament winnings. Instead, most players combine several activities connected to the game. For Felix, that includes playing tournaments, coaching students, producing online content, and developing instructional courses.
Rather than seeing these as separate jobs, he views them as part of the same ecosystem centered around chess improvement. Teaching, for example, often reinforces ideas that help his own development as a player. Creating courses forces him to organize his opening repertoire and deepen his understanding of positions he plays in practice.
The Goal: Road to 2600
Although Blohberger currently sits in the mid-2500s, he has set a long-term goal of reaching a 2600 FIDE rating. He describes the goal as both ambitious and motivating, noting that many players reach their peak strength closer to age thirty.
Interestingly, he does not see tournament play as the primary foundation of his career. Instead, he views competitive chess almost like a “side quest” while he builds a broader professional base through teaching, content creation, and courses.
The Economics of Professional Chess
One of the most revealing parts of the conversation focuses on money in chess. Prize funds in many European tournaments have barely increased in decades, while living costs have risen significantly. That means even strong grandmasters often struggle to rely solely on tournament results.
League games and open tournaments can provide income, but the financial risk is high: if you do not finish near the top, the tournament may not cover your travel and time. Because of this, many professional players diversify their income through coaching, online courses, or media work.
Blohberger also notes that sponsorship opportunities are rare in Europe. In some countries, particularly in Asia, top players receive support from government programs or corporate sponsors. That kind of support is far less common in the West.
Training in the Engine Era
When it comes to improving his chess, Blohberger spends most of his time working on a computer. Engines are an unavoidable tool in modern preparation, but he stresses the importance of using them wisely rather than blindly trusting the top engine line.
His training typically includes:
- Studying recent games from top tournaments
- Working with engines to analyze openings
- Reading chess books and solving exercises
- Looking for strategic patterns and positional ideas
Blohberger describes himself as a positional player who prefers understanding structures and ideas rather than calculating endless tactical puzzles.
Searching for New Opening Ideas
A major part of his work involves opening preparation. His approach begins by selecting a specific line and building a complete understanding of the position. From there, he analyzes it with engines, explores correspondence games for hidden ideas, and tries to develop practical novelties.
Instead of memorizing extremely deep forcing lines, he prefers discovering early deviations—often around move five to seven—that lead to playable positions while taking opponents out of preparation.
Content Creation and Tournament Recaps
Blohberger’s YouTube channel has become an important part of his professional life. During tournaments he often records game-by-game recap videos, sharing his thoughts immediately after each round.
Rather than hurting his performance, he believes the process actually helps him reflect on his games and organize his thoughts. In some ways, it serves as a form of post-game analysis and emotional processing after intense rounds.
The conversation even touches on Hikaru Nakamura, whose streaming career shows that content creation can reduce financial pressure and allow players to compete with a clearer mindset.
Courses vs. Chess Books
Blohberger is currently developing multiple courses, including an opening repertoire based on 1…e5. He notes that digital courses have largely replaced chess books as the dominant training format.
Courses are easier to update, allow interactive learning, and often command higher prices than traditional books. While he still dreams of publishing a chess book someday, he acknowledges that most players today prefer online courses.
Creating Opportunities in Chess
One of the central themes of the episode is responsibility. Early in his career, Blohberger believed the chess world should offer more support to professionals. Over time, his perspective shifted.
Now he believes players must actively create their own opportunities—through teaching, media, courses, or other projects. Rather than expecting sponsorship or larger prize funds, the modern chess professional often builds a career through entrepreneurship within the chess ecosystem.
Appreciating the Opportunity
Despite the challenges, Blohberger remains grateful to work in chess. As the episode concludes, they reflect on the idea that while professional chess may not always be financially easy, the ability to make a living doing something you love is a rare opportunity.
For aspiring players, the lesson is clear: success in chess today often requires more than strong moves on the board. It requires adaptability, creativity, and the willingness to build your own path within the chess world.
Comments
Great video!
Sign in to comment