 "D Gukesh earned the highest prize money among all chess players in 2024. Image: PTI")
Gukesh Dommaraju had a historic 2024 as he became the youngest chess world champion of all time after beating Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore. The world championship victory has propelled Gukesh to the top of the list of chess players who reached six figures in revenue in 2024.
Gukesh earned Rs 13.6 crore in prize money in 2024
As we reported earlier, Gukesh, who hails from Chennai, earned $1.35 million (Rs 11.34 crore approximately) just by winning the World Chess Championship . Overall in 2024, Gukesh earned $15,77,842 (Rs 13.6 crore approximately) in prize money by competing in eight major events, a report in chess.com stated. He had also earned $49,452 (Rs 42.6 lakhs approximately) by winning the 2024 FIDE Candidates .
It’s to be noted that the Rs 13.6 crore that Gukesh earned in prize money in 2024 does not include any prize money that was offered to him by government or private entities. It only includes earning from chess tournaments.
After winning the World Chess Championship 2024, Gukesh was awarded Rs 5 crore from the Tamil Nadu government .
Gukesh and Ding earned over $1 million in 2024
In fact, Gukesh is only one of the two chess players who earned more than $1 million in prize money in 2024. Besides, Gukesh, Ding earned $1,183,600 (Rs 10.2 crore approximately).
Both Gukesh and Ding made more than the President of the United States. The US President earns USD 400,000 annually, with an additional USD 50,000 for expenses, USD 100,000 for a travel account, and USD 19,000 for the entertainment budget.
Third on the list is French GM Alireza Firouzja who earned $639,173 (Rs 5.50 crore) in prize money.
As per the chess.com report, six players made $400,000 in 2024, almost the same as the US President. 17 players earned more than $1,00,000 in 2024.
Chess players with highest earnings in 2024
| Player | Total Winnings | # Major Events |
|---|---|---|
| GM Gukesh Dommaraju | $1,577,842 | 8 |
| GM Ding Liren | $1,183,600 | 5 |
| GM Alireza Firouzja | $639,173 | 18 |
| GM Magnus Carlsen | $633,369 | 11 |
| GM Fabiano Caruana | $456,520 | 14 |
| GM Ian Nepomniachtchi | $449,486 | 14 |
| GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | $254,375 | 14 |
| GM Hikaru Nakamura | $241,228 | 7 |
| GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | $202,136 | 11 |
| GM Wesley So | $192,744 | 11 |
| GM Ju Wenjun | $170,386 | 4 |
| GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov | $132,981 | 12 |
| GM Humpy Koneru | $123,497 | 4 |
| GM Levon Aronian | $122,985 | 10 |
| GM Arjun Erigaisi | $119,767 | 9 |
| GM Volodar Murzin | $118,750 | 4 |
| GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda | $105,899 | 7 |
Among Indians, GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu earned $202,136 (Rs 1.74 crore), GM Koneru Humpy secured $123,497 (Rs 1.06 crore) and GM Arjun Erigaisi made $119,767 (Rs 1.03 crore) in 2024.
World No.1 Magnus Carlsen earned $633,369 (Rs 5.46 crore) in prize money in 2024.