The 2025 rich list proves it’s big money too, with Magnus Carlsen proving once more why he’s the king outside the crown. World champion D Gukesh made history on the board, but off it, the earnings battle was fierce and full of surprises. From tournament hauls to side hustles, these top 10 raked in fortunes that would make any grandmaster smile. Let’s see the full list of highest earning chess players of 2025.
Top 10 Highest Earning Chess Players Of 2025
Magnus Carlsen leads the list of highest earning chess players. Raking in a jaw-dropping $1,455,276 from just 16 events, his best single haul was $250,000. The Norwegian wizard skipped classical marathons but crushed online and rapid formats, showing pure dominance that kept fans glued.
Fabiano Caruana came in strong at number two with $889,598 across 19 events; his top prize hit $150,000. The American-Italian powerhouse stayed consistent, proving stamina pays off big time.
Levon Aronian snagged third place in highest earning chess players with $751,881 in 15 events, boosted by a massive $200,000 payday.
Hikaru Nakamura, the streaming sensation, pocketed $588,911 from 11 appearances, with $145,000 as his peak.
Young gun Alireza Firouzja impressed at fifth place in the list of highest earning chess players, earning $455,047 over 14 tournaments and a standout $190,000 win.
Right behind him, Vincent Keymer exploded with $452,439 in only 10 events, the efficiency king with a $200,000 highlight.
Rounding out the highest earning chess players list, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave grabbed $439,567 from 14 events ($100,000 best), while India’s own Arjun Erigaisi shone bright at $431,214 across 16 outings ($115,000 top).
Nodirbek Abdusattorov took ninth with $361,811 in 16 events ($85,000 max), and Uzbek prodigy Javokhir Sindarov closed it at $361,811 from 11 ($120,000 peak). These numbers highlight how fewer, smarter events can yield fortunes, pure chess cinema in action.
These figures blend official tournament prizes from FIDE circuits and major tours. While Carlsen’s haul shows off-board ventures matter, Gukesh D‘s dip reminds us crowns don’t always cash the biggest. Chess in 2025 was no monotonous affair, full of battles, twists, and million-dollar drama. Who’s ready for 2026 to top this? Stay tuned, board warriors.
