Though chess is often called the game of kings, even elite players don’t always live like royalty. The very top stars—Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana among them—can earn around $1 million per year, and players ranked inside the top 50 often make between $100,000 and $500,000 annually. Those ranked below that generally earn considerably less.
Some grandmasters have supplemented tournament income with lucrative deals and careers beyond chess. Hikaru Nakamura, for example, has secured high-profile sponsorships and an esports contract, while Garry Kasparov built a post-competitive career in consulting and cybersecurity. Many of the players listed here are still young—teens or in their twenties—so their earnings and rankings may rise as they gain experience.
With former champions mentoring younger generations, the overall level of play has increased and today’s top professionals typically combine deep study, coaching, and tournament experience. Below are 30 of the greatest chess players measured from the time FIDE’s rating system came into common use, with brief summaries of their careers, peak ratings, notable achievements and background.
30. Vasily Smyslov
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2620
Years played: 1935–2000
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Chess Champion (1957); holds the record for the most Chess Olympiad medals.
Smyslov was born in Moscow in 1921 and began playing at six. Trained as a singer, he nearly pursued an opera career before focusing on chess. He became a Grandmaster at 20 and enjoyed a professional career lasting four decades, playing his last match at age 79.
29. Tigran Petrosian
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2660
Years played: 1942–1983
Net worth: $1.7 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Chess Champion, 1963–1969.
Born in Georgia to Armenian parents, Petrosian took up chess young and became a Grandmaster at 23. Nicknamed “Iron Tigran,” he was famed for an almost impenetrable defensive style. Despite being orphaned during World War II and suffering hearing loss, he maintained a distinguished career and held the world title for six years.
28. Boris Spassky
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2690
Years played: 1948–2009
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Chess Champion, 1969–1972.
Spassky, born in 1937, learned chess while evacuated during WWII and became a Grandmaster at 18. Known for a courteous demeanor at the board, he famously lost the 1972 world title to Bobby Fischer in a match that captured global attention.
27. Viktor Korchnoi
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2695
Years played: 1945–2015
Net worth: $0.5–1 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Five-time Soviet chess champion; one of the strongest players to never become world champion.
Korchnoi began playing at six and enjoyed a remarkably long career. After defecting from the Soviet Union to Switzerland in 1976, he continued competing at a high level for many years.
26. Mikhail Tal
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2705
Years played: 1949–1992
Net worth: $1.7 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Chess Champion (1960); celebrated chess writer and journalist.
Tal, born in Latvia, became a Grandmaster at 19 and was renowned for daring, sacrificial attacking play—earning him the nickname “Tal the Terrible.” His health issues affected his consistency, but his legacy as one of chess’s most creative tacticians endures.
25. Alireza Firouzja
NorwayChess
Peak rating: 2728
Years played: 2015–present
Net worth: $1.5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest player ever rated over 2700; youngest Iranian national champion.
Firouzja, born in 2003, rose rapidly through the ranks and earned the Grandmaster title at 14. No longer representing Iran due to federation rules, he now plays under the French flag. Besides chess, he has pursued interests in fashion design while building his career.
24. Judit Polgar
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2735
Years played: 1984–2014
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Top-ranked female player for 26 years; considered the greatest female chess player of all time.
Polgar became a Grandmaster at 15 and throughout her career regularly beat the world’s best players, including games against Magnus Carlsen and Garry Kasparov. She retired in 2014 while still the highest-ranked woman.
23. Jan-Krzysztof Duda
FIDE
Peak rating: 2758
Years played: 2008–present
Net worth: $1–5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: 2018 Polish national champion; reached as high as world No. 12.
Duda, born in Krakow, learned chess at five and became a Grandmaster at 15. He remains a rising force with notable tournament victories and strong performances in elite events.
22. Richard Rapport
STLChessClub
Peak rating: 2760
Years played: 2008–2020
Net worth: $0.5–1 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest-ever Hungarian Grandmaster; known for an unorthodox, creative playing style.
Rapport learned chess at four and became a Grandmaster at 13. He has been Hungary’s top talent and gained attention for imaginative openings and striking over-the-board play.
21. Pentala Harikrishna
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2766
Years played: 1996–present
Net worth: $1 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: One of India’s earliest young Grandmasters; represented India on Olympiad teams at a young age.
Harikrishna became a Grandmaster at 15 and has remained a mainstay of Indian chess, achieving strong results in international competitions and maintaining a steady presence on the world stage.
20. Leinier Domínguez Pérez
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2768
Years played: 1997–present
Net worth: $6 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Five-time Cuban national champion; consistently among the top 20 players worldwide.
Born in Havana, Domínguez learned chess from his father and became a Grandmaster at 17. He later changed federations and now represents the United States while remaining a prominent elite player.
19. Anatoly Karpov
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2780
Years played: 1961–2019
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Champion (1975–1985); extensive chess library collector.
Karpov learned chess at four and became World Champion in 1975. Known for positional mastery and subtle technique, his rivalry with Garry Kasparov defined a generation of top-level chess.
18. Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE_chess
Peak rating: 2784
Years played: 2001–present
Net worth: $1–5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Three consecutive European youth titles; currently a top-5 player.
Known as “Nepo,” he began chess at four, became a Grandmaster at 16, and has been a persistent contender at the highest level with strong tournament results and dynamic play.
17. Bobby Fischer
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2785
Years played: 1953–1992
Net worth: $2 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest U.S. champion; first American World Chess Champion.
Fischer transformed chess popularity in the United States with his 1972 victory over Boris Spassky. A prodigy who became a Grandmaster at 15, his later life was marred by controversy and withdrawal from public events.
16. Sergey Karjakin
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2788
Years played: 2000–present
Net worth: $3 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest International Master (11) and youngest Grandmaster (12); famed defensive specialist.
Karjakin, born in Ukraine, rose rapidly as a youth and earned acclaim for tenacious defensive play, earning the nickname “The Minister of Defence.” He remains a top-tier competitor with wins over elite opponents.
15. Anish Giri
Chess.com
Peak rating: 2793
Years played: 2005–present
Net worth: $1 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Four-time Dutch champion; frequently among the world’s top players.
Giri became a Grandmaster at 14 and represents the Netherlands. Known for deep preparation, solid play, and a sharp public persona, he remains a regular presence at elite events.
14. Teimour Radjabov
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2793
Years played: 1996–present
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Defeated Garry Kasparov at 16; active humanitarian and UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Radjabov learned chess very young and rose quickly to elite status. He is known for practical, fighting chess and for representing Azerbaijan with distinction on the international stage.
13. Alexander Grischuk
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2797
Years played: 1992–present
Net worth: $1 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: One of the world’s best blitz players; three-time world blitz champion.
Grischuk became a Grandmaster at 17 and has been a top contender for years. He’s widely regarded as a blitz specialist with a consistently high standard in rapid formats.
12. Ding Liren
GrandChessTour
Peak rating: 2801
Years played: 2001–present
Net worth: $3.7 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest Chinese national champion; consistently among the world’s elite.
Ding began playing at four and rose to prominence as China’s top talent. A patient, strategic player, he has collected several national titles and maintained an enduring presence near the top of global rankings.
11. Hikaru Nakamura
gmhikaru
Peak rating: 2814
Years played: 1995–present
Net worth: $50 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Five-time U.S. champion; world-leading blitz and rapid performer; major streaming and esports presence.
Nakamura, born in Japan and raised in the U.S., became a Grandmaster at 16. He broadened the profile of professional chess through streaming, sponsorships, and esports partnerships and is widely regarded as one of the best speed chess players ever.
10. Veselin Topalov
Veselin Topalov
Peak rating: 2816
Years played: 1986–2020
Net worth: $1–5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Champion (2005); famous for dynamic, aggressive play including the celebrated 1999 win over Kasparov.
Topalov’s fearless attacking style produced many memorable games and a world title. He remains one of Bulgaria’s most successful sporting figures.
9. Viswanathan Anand
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2817
Years played: 1984–2020
Net worth: $3 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: India’s first Grandmaster; World Champion in 2007, 2010 and 2012.
Anand popularized chess across India and became renowned for his speed and versatility. Nicknamed “The Lightning Kid,” he sustained elite performance across decades and inspired many young players.
8. Vladimir Kramnik
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2817
Years played: 1984–2020
Net worth: $2 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: World Champion (2006); influential strategic player.
Kramnik rose through Soviet youth ranks, became a Grandmaster at 17, and claimed the world title in 2006. Persistent health issues eventually led to retirement, but his contributions to opening theory and match play remain influential.
7. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE_chess
Peak rating: 2819
Years played: 1998–present
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Three-time French champion; elite theoretician and top rapid/blitz competitor.
Known as MVL, Maxime became a Grandmaster at 14 and combined high-level study with academic interests. He remains France’s strongest active player and a regular top-ten contender.
6. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2820
Years played: 1999–present
Net worth: $1–5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Azerbaijan’s leading player since Kasparov; famed for imaginative and unorthodox play.
Mamedyarov became a Grandmaster at 18 and has repeatedly challenged the world’s best with daring, tactical games. Both his sisters are also titled players, reflecting a strong family chess tradition.
5. Wesley So
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2822
Years played: 2003–present
Net worth: $10 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest Filipino national champion and Grandmaster; former world No. 2.
So emigrated to the United States in 2012 and became a leading figure in American chess. Known for stable, precise play, he remains a consistent top-10 competitor.
4. Levon Aronian
Wikimedia Commons
Peak rating: 2830
Years played: 1993–present
Net worth: $3 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Armenia’s national hero and long-standing top-20 player.
Aronian’s steady, creative style made him one of the most respected grandmasters of his generation. A national icon in Armenia, he has produced numerous notable tournament performances.
3. Fabiano Caruana
FIDE_chess
Peak rating: 2844
Years played: 1999–present
Net worth: $13 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Former World Championship challenger; one of the strongest players of his era.
Caruana became a Grandmaster at 14 and has represented both Italy and the United States. He challenged Magnus Carlsen for the world title and remains a top player known for deep preparation and match strength.
2. Garry Kasparov
davidllada
Peak rating: 2851
Years played: 1985–2005
Net worth: $5 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Youngest World Champion (22); dominant world No. 1 for many years.
Kasparov rose rapidly through the Soviet system to become a dominant world champion and an influential voice in chess, writing, and politics. Since retiring, he has focused on writing, consulting, and technological initiatives related to AI and chess.
1. Magnus Carlsen
AP Photo
Peak rating: 2886
Years played: 1999–present
Net worth: $8 million (estimated)
Noteworthy achievements: Reached a 2800 rating by 18 and became the world’s top-ranked player by 19; widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history.
Carlsen, Norway’s most famous chess export, became a Grandmaster at 13 and has been the sport’s dominant figure for much of the 2010s and 2020s. His combination of universal opening knowledge, endgame skill, and practical competitiveness has led many to call him the greatest chess player of his generation.