Why are so many chess players overlooked, and how can we fix that? Here is the story, along with potential answers! Dario Sarvari, chess player & arbiter, will help us through it...
1. What do you find as the biggest challenge for chess player nowadays?
The biggest challenge for a tournament chess player nowadays is earning enough income solely by playing in tournaments to handle your expenses (tournament participation fee, accommodation, flight or other means of traveling etc.). It is believed that only players in the top 20 according to FIDE rating list can live comfortably from playing in tournaments. The majority however has to resort to coaching, streaming, making content, being an arbiter in important events to earn enough money to cover their fees…
2. How do you search for a new chess engagement (clubs, tournaments)?
I take a look at tournaments list on website “Chess Results” filtering them by my country on a daily basis.
3. What do you think that is the biggest obstacle for improvement in chess?
Another common obstacle is lack of time to devote to chess, be it studying, training or playing. Not a lot of people can afford to spend as much time as chess requires. Continuous dedication and efforts are required for having a good shot at improvement in chess.
4. Do you think you can live out of chess (make enough money)?
It is certainly possible to make a living out of chess, but only a handful minority of players get to experience that (notably the so called super grandmasters). There are players who make a living out of streaming and making content. Coaching is another path many resort to in hopes of earning enough money. Perhaps arbiters in high profile events have decent earnings. Nonetheless it is significantly difficult to earn a decent amount of money from chess, even for professionals.
5. Beside a chess player, do you have any other role in chess?
Besides being a player, I’m also an arbiter (although inactive for the time being). I used to be a coach of young, aspiring players in a nearby village. One of them is the current U8 champion of Serbia, while others have also achieved remarkable feats respectively and I’m more than proud of those students. I tried composing some chess studies in the past. I have organized online tournaments for my club when COVID-19 pandemic was around in order to somewhat keep my club connected during those difficult times. I would like to be a commentator of important events, perhaps a journalist or reported as well. Volunteering in those events is also something to consider.
**6. Feel free to add any comments, answers, concerns about your chess life **
Chess is a game, sport, science and art all at the same time. It doesn’t take long to fall in love with it, yet it is unforgiving. It’s hunger eats up plenty of your free time and nerves, day in and out. It is never satisfied and always comes back for more. To stay in a good chess shape you have to go out of your way and beyond with studying and practicing. You can learn a lot about yourself by playing it. It is vast and it never fails to amaze you. There is always something new to learn and it is patiently waiting to reveal it’s secrets to those who keep on searching. It has the power to connect all kinds of people, no matter their race, religion, age, gender, income or origins. No matter your chess level, everyone can enjoy what chess has to offer equally. It has it’s own language that binds all of it’s disciples into one wonderful new world. That is one of many beautiful aspects of chess.
7. What is Outpost Chess for you?
Outpost Chess is a platform with a unique aim: to connect the whole chess community in one place (organizers, arbiters, players, the list goes on). A lot of promising individuals inevitably get overlooked in the chess world and hopefully Outpost Chess is going to address that problem and help them out in their chess journeys. I’m excited to see what new features it is going to offer in the future.
Thank you Dario for such an amazing interview!
Feel free to reach out to him at Outpost Chess Profile and explore options for collaboration.
