I was wondering, are there any distinct benefits in becoming a FIDE master or a USCF master? I imagine it presents a huge opportunity to bank on giving chess lessons, but other then that what do they do? I'm sure there are many people who are accomplished in their careers who have the time and money to focus on chess to raise to the coveted status of Master, maybe not GM but I'm sure Master is within reach, but with that are there specific perks you get? I remember watching 'True Life I'm a genius' on MTV and they had a chess GM on it and it showed that with international tournaments the GMs and Masters had a special stage aside from the common playing area, but that was it. Ideas?

Grandmasters sometimes get free entry fees in tournaments, though that generally gets deducted from their prize, assuming they win one. Sometimes, that applies to those with IM, WGM, and/or WIM titles, as well.

As you said, the prestige of the title helps with coaching and writing, as well. I know at least two USCF National Masters who don't play in tournaments any more, because they're professional coaches, and they'd have a harder time attracting students if their ratings were to drop below 2200, so they could no longer advertise their master title.

--Fromper

Yeah, other than teaching and writing I think it's just reduced fees. I think you get a lifetime free USCF membership once you hit GM (and it may even be lower than that). I believe ICC membership is also free for GMs. In some FIDE International Events, entry fee is based on FIDE rating. One that I saw had a $100 difference in entry fee for 2100+ FIDE and 2200+ FIDE. Even us lowly masters are thrown a bone here and there as I've seen (though haven't entered yet) tournaments that are free to 2200+ players.

I've never seen a free tourney to anyone 2200+. I do think I've seen one with lower entry fees for higher rateds, but I thought the price break started higher than that (maybe 2300). And I forgot about the free ICC membership. I think that applies to any IM or GM who uses their real name instead of playing anonymously.

--Fromper

Thanks for the answers. From what I've read it would seem that the best perk of having the title would be the ease of attracting students if you have a Master title or up. With that being said what do USCF Masters usually charge for lessons? I imagine best case scenario is you might find one in a club that gives lessons, but I'm not sure of that either. Here in Florida in my area there aren't any chess tutors but there is a club a town over from where I am that has some players rated 2000+ USCF. I also know that you can take online lessons, but that really just wouldn't be for me.

Where are you in Florida? And do you ever go to any of the major tournaments around the state? I live down in the southern end of the state (Palm Beach County), and I was just in Orlando for the Central Florida Class Championship this past weekend.

--Fromper

I haven't ever gone to a chess tournament to be honest, and I live in Ormond Beach, which is near Daytona.

I know there are clubs in Jacksonville and Orlando, but those would be a hike for you. I don't know of any in Daytona, although the state championship was held there a couple of years ago (2007, I think).

There are big tournaments held in Orlando on a semi-regular basis if you want to go to those. This is kind of the slow time of year for chess tournies in Florida, though. The US Amateur Team South will be in Orlando next month, then there's the Space Coast Open in the Cocoa Beach area, usually in April. Then things pick up over the summer, with usually 3-5 big tournaments around the state between June and September, depending on the year.

Of course, I'm only talking about tournaments that are open to anyone. There are a lot more kids tournaments than that, and also the US Senior is frequently held in Florida, which I think has a minimum age requirement of 50.

--Fromper