Do Chess Players Go to College? 3 Places Where You Can Study Chess

Chess players often pursue their passion for the game while benefiting from a well-rounded education, which offers more opportunities for personal development and employment outside of the game.

But do chess players go to college? Is there such a thing as a chess college or a chess degree?

Chess players can have a higher education while pursuing a chess career. While there are no chess colleges in the traditional academic way, many universities offer chess programs for whoever wants to learn chess. Chess players can also get a degree in any major while being professional chess players. 

Keep reading to learn more about whether chess players attend college and whether you can study chess exclusively.

Do Chess Players Go to College?

There is nothing stopping chess players from getting an academic degree.

Most chess “celebrities” are university graduates. To name a few, Magnus Carlsen attended the Norwegian School of Excellence and pursued higher education in business administration.

Anatoly Karpov, a former World Chess Champion, graduated from Leningrad State University (now St. Petersburg State University) with a degree in economics.

These are only a few instances—undoubtedly, more chess players have excelled in academics while also pursuing further education. The combination of academic success and chess prowess demonstrates the capacity to excel in a variety of fields.

However, this is not a general rule. Some chess players have dropped out of education altogether and were still very successful at the game.

The most famous example is the brilliant (although controversial) Bobby Fischer, who dropped out of high school at 16 years of age, but he still went on to dominate the chess world and win the World Championship title (rather spectacularly as well).

Do Top-Level Chess Players Go to a College to Study Chess as a Major? 

This might be surprising, but the greatest figures in the realm of chess didn’t study chess as a major. Instead, they frequently decide to concentrate on their chess career and invest their time and energy in practicing, taking part in tournaments, and developing their chess skills.

Although specific chess programs or courses are offered by some colleges or educational institutions, they are not commonly pursued as a major in the same way as conventional academic areas.

Instead, top-level chess players typically place more emphasis on self-study, practical training, and involvement in tournaments to improve their chess skills.

It is important to remember that some schools, particularly those with robust chess programs or alliances with chess organizations, could provide scholarships or other forms of financial aid to gifted chess players.

This enables them to continue their chess pursuits while earning a degree in a different subject.

It’s worth mentioning here that chess programs in schools are much more popular in Russia and Europe than in any other place in the world. This is one of the main reasons why Russians are so good at chess. It also explains why Russia has the most Grandmasters in the world, with Russia alone has a 100 GM more than the second country in the list, the US.

Is There a Chess College?

No chess college is part of an academic university in its traditional understanding. However, numerous institutions can help you study chess in a theoretical way. 

The terms “chess colleges” and “chess schools” are frequently used to describe these organizations. They provide extensive programs that pair academically rigorous study with chess preparation.

So, here are some examples of places where you can study chess:

Chess College, London

Chess College is a specialized institution in London that offers full-time chess education for students. It offers a well-organized curriculum that addresses a range of chess topics, such as openings, tactics, strategy, endgames, and tournament planning. Academic pursuits are available to Chess College students in addition to their chess training.

Susan Polgar Institute for Chess Excellence (SPICE)

In Missouri, the United States, Webster University is home to SPICE. It is a well-known chess program that blends education with chess instruction. In addition to providing a thorough curriculum that combines academic courses, competitive play, and chess teaching, SPICE offers chess scholarships to students.

University of Texas at Dallas

Scholarships for chess players are available through the renowned chess program at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD). UTD has a track record of winning collegiate chess competitions.

These are but a few instances; there are numerous other institutions and universities all around the world that actively assist chess players. These organizations frequently provide financial aid, coaching, and training tools to support students’ success in chess and academics.

Can You Get a Degree in Chess?

You can get a degree in chess as of 2022. The School of Education at Webster University in St. Louis, well-known for drawing elite chess players to its campus, is now offering a minor in the game. The psychology and strategy of chess are among the topics covered in core courses.

International grandmaster and Webster’s chess coach Liem Le claims that chess has been integrated into a formal university education program for the first time in history. Those who follow this academic route will learn how to instruct chess as a sport and a subject.

The 18-credit minor degree is now an officially recognized program, and courses are offered online globally. Via a variety of disciplines, including education, history, business, psychology, and technology, core courses will provide content tailored to each student’s interests and educational background.

The Chess in Education minor degree will enhance students’ chess skills while emphasizing the historical, sociocultural, psychological, technological, and strategic relevance of the 1,500-year-old game. When finished, students will have a theoretical understanding of chess, a worldwide perspective on the game, and its use as a teaching tool.

Can I Make Money by Playing Chess?

If you want a career in chess, you definitely can! Making money from chess is how the world’s famous players are rich today. Even though making money from chess is not that easy unless you are one of the top players, it’s still an option.

Here are a few ways chess players can potentially earn money:

1. Tournament Prizes: Chess players who compete in tournaments can win cash prizes. The top finishers typically receive the prize money according to how well they perform.
2. Sponsorships: Chess-related businesses, corporations, or private supporters may sponsor successful and top-ranked players. These sponsorships can help cover the cost of living and other expenses like travel and training.
3. Coaching and Teaching: Chess players with experience can share their knowledge and skills by providing tutoring services to individuals or groups. Professional athletes may be able to make money from coaching fees.
4. Simultaneous Exhibitions: Simultaneous exhibitions, in which chess players play many games against a number of opponents simultaneously, are a way for certain chess players to make money. These players tend to be well-known grandmasters. Each participant must pay an entry fee, and the chess player is paid for the exhibition.
5. Online Platforms and Streaming: Chess players can now make money by streaming their games, creating educational materials, competing in online competitions, or taking part in sponsored activities, thanks to the growth of online chess platforms and streaming services.
6. Writing and Publishing: Chess players with a knack for writing can make money by producing books, contributing to magazines about the game, or writing instructional articles.

Do you want to know how much money you can make pursuing these different careers in chess? I’ve reviewed this in detail in a post that discusses how much money chess players make. 

Do I Need to Finish College If I’m Good at Chess?

Honestly, it’s a matter of personal preference. However, it’s advisable never to neglect your higher education. Being good at chess can make you money in the very long run. 

To be able to support yourself, you can pursue chess as a side career. This is because if you are not already a top-notch player, it’s hard to make a living as a chess player. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the decision of whether chess players pursue a college education and the necessity of completing college if one excels in chess is a highly individual and personal choice. While some chess players choose to attend college, others may opt to dedicate their time and energy solely to their chess careers.

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