17-01-2012, 12:20 PM
Jim Slater offered £5000 to the first British GM (£2500 to the next 4). This would be about £75000 in todays terms. THe award is credited with producing up to 20GMs.
The big difference at that time was that chess was very popular (just after Fischer became world Champion) and top British players could make a reasonable living as professionals. This is no longer the case.
Many congresses had a £200 first prize and some even £500 so winning a congress a month would give a reasonable annual salary.
The big difference at that time was that chess was very popular (just after Fischer became world Champion) and top British players could make a reasonable living as professionals. This is no longer the case.
Many congresses had a £200 first prize and some even £500 so winning a congress a month would give a reasonable annual salary.