How I Make A Living Playing Chess On Twitch

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ก.พ. 2021
  • Alexandra Botez, 25, is a professional Twitch streamer who makes six figures playing chess online. She and her sister Andrea Botez, 18, have over 650,000 followers and are signed with Team Envy, a global esports and entertainment company. 2020 was a big year for chess as the popular Netflix show ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ attracted millions of new users to chess.com.
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    Making $100K+ A Year Playing Chess On Twitch

ความคิดเห็น • 1.7K

  • @di380
    @di380 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1517

    She is a Stanford graduate and a very smart and accomplished titled chess player. I wish Alexandra Botez the best on her career and online endeavors.

    • @alexis8936
      @alexis8936 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      she is a noob

    • @littleretroship6403
      @littleretroship6403 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      Eric Rosen has made me see the word Stanford to Stafford

    • @destroyidiots7191
      @destroyidiots7191 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

      Degrees do not matter in a game. Hikaru Nakamura who is literally the greatest blitz chess player to ever play the game went to Dickinson College so im not sure your point of mentioning a degree. Intelligence in chess is what matters in chess.

    • @alexis8936
      @alexis8936 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@destroyidiots7191 mvl still above him

    • @flash012234
      @flash012234 3 ปีที่แล้ว +134

      @@destroyidiots7191 Seems like your reading comprehension skills are a bit lacking. He mentioned that she was a Stanford graduate, which of course is no easy feat in the slightest, and an accomplished chess player. No where did they mention that having a Stanford degree is a prerequisite for becoming a chess champ.
      You are doing the opposite of what you username suggests.

  • @osamabindiesel3389
    @osamabindiesel3389 3 ปีที่แล้ว +983

    I love how Andrea didn’t get more than 2 seconds of exposure, probably for being a loud pepega and just let Alex do this whole interview.

    • @irrelevance3859
      @irrelevance3859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +56

      I think they it’s because Alex has a title

    • @masonpritchard3597
      @masonpritchard3597 3 ปีที่แล้ว +162

      It's because Alex actually built the channel and worked hard for years while Andrea joined later on

    • @irrelevance3859
      @irrelevance3859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      @@masonpritchard3597 yeah and that. Alex does carry the channel

    • @josh_final
      @josh_final 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Only the OGs remember when they had separate channels

    • @donder91
      @donder91 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      To be honest, I don't really like Andrea. She's so loud.

  • @samuelhardy5882
    @samuelhardy5882 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1890

    They say “$100k+” but towards the end she said she expects to be making “mid 6 figures by the end of 2021”.....so really we talk $500k XD that’s amazing

    • @loganc2380
      @loganc2380 3 ปีที่แล้ว +158

      I'm pretty positive they make quite a bit more, especially since they signed with an org (team envy) which comes with sponsors and streaming bonuses most of the time
      Edit: quite a bit more than 100k

    • @o0laieta0o
      @o0laieta0o 3 ปีที่แล้ว +51

      Between her and her sister tho (although I don't think is 50-50), and that's business revenue I believe.

    • @BrokeAgain
      @BrokeAgain 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      looks prolly help her too

    • @iamdanyboy1
      @iamdanyboy1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@o0laieta0o No. I am fairly positive she makes 100k by herself. BotezLive currently has about 550 subs.
      That's 165k$ right there. And then there are her sponsorships, team envy signup etc. That should add up to about 250k$ easily. Assuming she has one of those firms that manage her channel or editor on her payroll, let's subtract 50k$ a year and boom. 200k$ yearly.

    • @qualitydyl7088
      @qualitydyl7088 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      @@iamdanyboy1 do you mean 5500 subs?

  • @KaushikBala333
    @KaushikBala333 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1319

    She is more a business minded than an avg chess player. She is going to make it even bigger. God bless her

    • @D4n21
      @D4n21 3 ปีที่แล้ว +55

      Dude she went to Stanford. Of course she's going to make it big haha

    • @kevinnathaniel9231
      @kevinnathaniel9231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@D4n21 holy shut fo real? What was she majoring at

    • @zmaxii1337
      @zmaxii1337 3 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      @@kevinnathaniel9231 Not sure but I think International Realtionships with the focus on China.

    • @marcin8865
      @marcin8865 3 ปีที่แล้ว +16

      Her personality is extremely rare for women. She is naturally smart and goal oriented, which is the most important in money-making careers.

    • @arnv4487
      @arnv4487 3 ปีที่แล้ว +66

      @@marcin8865 I wouldn't say extremely rare. There are many smart and extremely-driven women.

  • @berkeslaw
    @berkeslaw 3 ปีที่แล้ว +615

    I'm 65, playing chess for fun and mental exercise. I aspire to be one of those old men who play in the park on rickety wood chairs & tables.

    • @haakonhamer9122
      @haakonhamer9122 3 ปีที่แล้ว +40

      me 2. but im only 30. so give me 40 years and ill join u at the park

    • @heyyou5483
      @heyyou5483 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@haakonhamer9122 🤣

    • @Dimaz42
      @Dimaz42 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@haakonhamer9122 by that time you’d be playing with his son 😂

    • @JLchevz
      @JLchevz 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      yeah lol

    • @Crashandburn999
      @Crashandburn999 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Dimaz42 Grandson*

  • @MauriceBishopChess
    @MauriceBishopChess 3 ปีที่แล้ว +323

    She used her passion to make money. Eventually it became a business she ultimately love. This is awesome! I'm proud of her.

    • @raygordonteacheschess5501
      @raygordonteacheschess5501 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      She used her body to make money.

    • @zoeysiddiqi1532
      @zoeysiddiqi1532 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@raygordonteacheschess5501 not true

    • @vesta1000
      @vesta1000 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@raygordonteacheschess5501 construction workers do that all the time, why don't you go tell em that

    • @RisingInTheFlesh
      @RisingInTheFlesh ปีที่แล้ว

      @@raygordonteacheschess5501 yourself

    • @AquarianAngel
      @AquarianAngel ปีที่แล้ว

      @@raygordonteacheschess5501 🤡

  • @hervearseneau625
    @hervearseneau625 3 ปีที่แล้ว +381

    I met Alexandra in 2004 in Kapuscasing Ontario, she played my daughter and won the national title, of course. I'm happy to know she is still doing well with chess.

    • @Knight_Jon_Artorias
      @Knight_Jon_Artorias 2 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Aww she couldn't have been older than 9. That's awesome! I'm glad that I found her and Andrea, my 15 year old cousin is really inspired by them because she just got in to chess. The botez sisters are both really pretty, so they serve as an example that women can be both great at chess and still be very pretty; that chess isn't a nerdy game! 😊 hope your daughter is doing well and still plays chess!

    • @seeksolace2059
      @seeksolace2059 2 ปีที่แล้ว +17

      @@Knight_Jon_Artorias no offense but attractiveness and the ability to play chess do not coincide. You can be ugly or less attractive and be a poor chess player

    • @HortenseLapasse
      @HortenseLapasse 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@seeksolace2059 yeah lmao what is that and also nerdiness has nothing to do with attractiveness ☠️ like good on them for being good-looking but we do not need to prove that "attractive women can play chess too" lol why would that be needed.

    • @CP-ir3ft
      @CP-ir3ft 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Knight_Jon_Artorias you can be attractive and nerdy

    • @CK-wv5hg
      @CK-wv5hg 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@seeksolace2059
      She didn't say it did. Just that it set an example for girls that may have preconceived notions about chess itself.

  • @RedRanchu
    @RedRanchu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +407

    Be warned. By no means is making it to that income bracket easy. This is a full time job and i wager tons of people have tried this and failed.

    • @tyroneloki5131
      @tyroneloki5131 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      well no sht sherlock ahaha

    • @soonsuicidal
      @soonsuicidal 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Yep thanks for putting it out there. Again hard work, patience and consistence. And probably, some luck too. Being an influencer or content creator isnt for everyone. The good thing tho is everyone is free to try.

    • @jamesblack993
      @jamesblack993 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      They often "work" 60-80h a week, it's definitely exhausting, I know I wouldn't be able to do it at this intensity

    • @sophiaatn5339
      @sophiaatn5339 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@tyroneloki5131 looool

    • @bebzon8941
      @bebzon8941 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @IpilotAnEVA It is easy but you need certain predispositions like pretty face etc.

  • @jongho.finance_made_easy
    @jongho.finance_made_easy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +854

    I love the diverse ways of people making money these days. Pretty cool

    • @lubnan08
      @lubnan08 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Same its so cool

    • @MiguelY22
      @MiguelY22 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I hope to make some money too

    • @brittishcapelle6508
      @brittishcapelle6508 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      Me as well ,I love it ❤..its not the average go to college and just get a 9-5 to earn an income

    • @tech_to_know
      @tech_to_know 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@brittishcapelle6508 yeah i hate 9-5 or 12-9 jobs

    • @5thfloor584
      @5thfloor584 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      These "diverse" revenue sources aren't as uncommon historically as you might think... After all, every single source of revenue was started somewhere, and most of the "common" ones you see today were invented or started in the mid-late 20th century. But yeah, I love when young people make money in unique ways (or entrepreneurial ways). Just juxtapose boomers & millennial's economic trajectory, boomers were so lucky it's unbelievable (if you want to be depressed research economic studies on this matter).

  • @IYPITWL
    @IYPITWL 3 ปีที่แล้ว +42

    3:10 is such a cute sister moment. Alex: "Lets be fair." Both: "3 options."

  • @ragnarkisten
    @ragnarkisten ปีที่แล้ว +15

    The reason I have watched so many of her streams is because of Andrea. The bickering between the two sisters is hilarious, and better than any sitcom you might find nowadays!

  • @isaiah1931
    @isaiah1931 3 ปีที่แล้ว +78

    The Queens Gambit gave so much good exposure to chess. I wish I would’ve started when I was a lot younger but it is a fulfilling thing to do. I love how she tapped into a market that wasn’t big yet and built her own platform that’s not only good for her but for the game itself.

  • @jameswright5627
    @jameswright5627 3 ปีที่แล้ว +411

    Alexandra's knowledge is astounding. She and Andrea really know their stuff.

    • @vicooo4271
      @vicooo4271 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      xxxxxxxd

    • @jedinxf7
      @jedinxf7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Andrea is cute but she isn't particularly good lol

    • @jameswright5627
      @jameswright5627 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@jedinxf7 My friend, this story was about Andrea's sister Alexandra, both are cute and talented.

    • @jedinxf7
      @jedinxf7 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      @@jameswright5627 you said "she and Andrea really know their stuff." one of them knows their stuff lol

    • @jameswright5627
      @jameswright5627 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@jedinxf7 Meaning they are both good lol.

  • @CrystalKwashie
    @CrystalKwashie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2472

    I love when millennials find “easy” or passion built ways to make great money.. the same way Boomers only needed a bachelor’s degree to make six figures 🌚

    • @OwolabbyAzeez
      @OwolabbyAzeez 3 ปีที่แล้ว +178

      They not ready for that convo 😂😂😂

    • @asadb1990
      @asadb1990 3 ปีที่แล้ว +247

      this is not accessible for the majority of millenials

    • @ye23.
      @ye23. 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      NEED this for me!!!! I know its in the cards for me, I know it. I just need the right idea 🤔

    • @fjsioewiox
      @fjsioewiox 3 ปีที่แล้ว +117

      @@asadb1990 exactly, even if you take this specific example, there are hundreds of talented chess streamers right now and barely 10 of them are successful at this level

    • @Southeastasiantraveler
      @Southeastasiantraveler 3 ปีที่แล้ว +63

      That’s true, with a bachelor’s degree in the 70’s and 80’s I never earned less than $100k in jobs that were not that difficult, but were restricted to degree holders. Even then, myself and colleagues felt we were overpaid (but not at salary review time of course)

  • @emb5091
    @emb5091 2 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    I've watched many of the chess streamers, both men and women, on Twitch and TH-cam, and I think Alexandra and her sister Andrea are VERY entertaining to watch. Not only are they very good players, they are very funny and have fun. It makes me happy to know they are making good money doing what they love.

    • @elishmuel1976
      @elishmuel1976 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I remember one video with them and Magnus, he's playing online, they're all wearing sunglasses and techno music is playing while Andrea's dancing. Epic.

  • @sayedistrending
    @sayedistrending 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    They branch out as well. Many people think these sisters only play chess, but they do more than play chess. They will play Among Us, Chat with their Followers, talk about their ex-boyfriends, and even collaborate with Mr. Beast. Their content is really entertaining.

    • @thomasfriedl3137
      @thomasfriedl3137 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      They collaborate with MrBeast? Not true but would be cool I guess

    • @PlatinumThief
      @PlatinumThief 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@thomasfriedl3137 among us

    • @Freempg
      @Freempg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Their learning to throw an ax was hilarious. Andrea hit a bulls eye and couldn't contain herself, jumping with joy all the while trash talking her older sister. The two are very competitive and very funny.

  • @Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist
    @Ask-a-Rocket-Scientist 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    “The Queens Gambit” was huge.

  • @CaseyBurnsInvesting
    @CaseyBurnsInvesting 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4165

    Time to start that OnlyPawns.

    • @Bosshog-WealthHealthBetterment
      @Bosshog-WealthHealthBetterment 3 ปีที่แล้ว +187

      You have to watch-out for white knights and (drama) queens, no doubt.

    • @whochairs
      @whochairs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +84

      Dude you're like the MVP of the comments on every video I watch lol

    • @byronjulienful
      @byronjulienful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@whochairs 0p

    • @JasonSmith-zp1gv
      @JasonSmith-zp1gv 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Don’t care how many likes it has its still an underrated comment

    • @Memphis_ritz
      @Memphis_ritz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Lmfao that’s great

  • @giorgidiasmidze532
    @giorgidiasmidze532 3 ปีที่แล้ว +135

    I can't wait for Graham Stephan to react to this

    • @sayedistrending
      @sayedistrending 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was thinking the same thing. I really enjoyed his reaction video to the PewDiePie video too.

    • @aakashnaik1576
      @aakashnaik1576 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      There is nothing for him to comment on. There is no breakdown of expenditure etc which is understood for person of her status.

  • @xyzct
    @xyzct 3 ปีที่แล้ว +35

    Alex is awesome. She works hard at her streaming, she's entertaining to watch, plus she invented the Botez Gambit. She deserves every penny ... and to blunder her queen.

  • @boxingjerapah
    @boxingjerapah 2 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Love her story because it shows how redundant the whole "equity" argument is.
    She is ranked outside of the top 20,000 players in the world and yet she is doing fabulously well, because of who she is as an individual and how she personally has approached her career.
    She experienced problems at the start from all the "flirters" but instead of giving up or whining, she rolled up her sleeves and has created a success story.

    • @gabithemagyar
      @gabithemagyar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      The flirters must be annoying of course, but I think she has also come to terms with the fact that being attractive also helps to grow her audience numbers.

    • @gigachad7205
      @gigachad7205 ปีที่แล้ว +12

      She's successful because she's an attractive female in a male dominated sport. It's really that simple, she even said it herself

    • @YitroBenAvraham
      @YitroBenAvraham ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Actually, all she does is play chess in as little clothing as possible. If you watch her videos you’ll never, ever see her wearing sleeves…

  • @TheBlackFemaleEngineer
    @TheBlackFemaleEngineer 3 ปีที่แล้ว +420

    After watching Queens Gambit I was determined to start playing chess. After watching this I’m like geez I wish I had learned when I was little!

    • @felipebrunetta2106
      @felipebrunetta2106 3 ปีที่แล้ว +36

      Trust me, regardless of you age, there are MUCH easier ways to make 100k+ a year then playing chess

    • @youneke
      @youneke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'll show you

    • @orlock20
      @orlock20 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Chess and competitive chess are two different things especially with computers dictating new tactics and the ability to use computers to find flaws in one's opponents. The Polgar sisters would play chess games in their minds against each other as preteens with Judit beating her first GM at 11 years-old and later becoming top 8 in the world.

    • @maxkho00
      @maxkho00 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@adejareojo What's your elo now? And how many matches have you played in total?

    • @planetruths1373
      @planetruths1373 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Never too late to start. It all comes down to discipline, passion, and dedication.

  • @tsm7964
    @tsm7964 3 ปีที่แล้ว +107

    Men like watching a beautiful woman doing anything, and women like watching women succeeding in male dominant arenas. So, it's a win-win for everyone.

  • @aminat643
    @aminat643 3 ปีที่แล้ว +130

    This is so cool! After watching The Queen’s Gambit I’ve been obsessed with learning more about chess!

    • @alexis8936
      @alexis8936 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      be quiet

    • @aminat643
      @aminat643 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@alexis8936 🤫🤫🤫

    • @ytsux9259
      @ytsux9259 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      You won't get anywhere. You either got it naturally or you don't. If you don't, you can spend your whole life playing chess and still remain mediocre.

    • @captainobvious8037
      @captainobvious8037 2 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Why discourage strangers for no reason? 🤣

  • @gabithemagyar
    @gabithemagyar 2 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I think that her success is because she found a way of making chess fun to watch for even casual players. She plays rapid chess (5 minutes allowed per player), keeps up an amusing rapid patter (trash talk) and makes sure she look attractive in all her videos (I'm sure that draws viewers as well). Very light-hearted approach to the game with an emphasis on the fact that it's a fun game. I used to play casually in my youth and she has inspired me to dig out my chess computer and books and give it a go again :-) Chess is for everyone !!

  • @dabd8175
    @dabd8175 3 ปีที่แล้ว +72

    What a productive young lady very deserving

  • @Dai1lest
    @Dai1lest 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I love the Botez sisters, literally both smart and beautiful and just overall great people, very rare especially with the type of personalities the sisters have

  • @Fabiable
    @Fabiable 3 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    The Shade of how often they mention "shes not even in the top 20000" KEKW

    • @sylent8428
      @sylent8428 3 ปีที่แล้ว +31

      It is a very very important point. It shows that you can’t just be successful by being good. And the money actually comes from other sources.

    • @xavierazad
      @xavierazad 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      I mean it does make sense, like being an amazing chess content creator and being an amazing chess player are two very significantly different things. Like take a look at Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen. Magnus Carlsen streams as well but his average views and subs are significantly lacking when put in front of Hikaru Nakamura purely because of how good Hikaru is as a content creator, despite not being the world champion yet.

    • @methe2960
      @methe2960 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@xavierazad yet? :-)))

    • @vanillaghetto
      @vanillaghetto 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@sylent8428 Actually, it shows that you can be successful, despite not being "good".

    • @sylent8428
      @sylent8428 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@vanillaghetto well it depends on what you are referring to. You are right that the fact of their success shows that you can be successful shows that you can be susccessful despite not being good. But the op comment was mentioning the shade. The shade(if it exists) with which some other top players referenced the endeavour shows you can’t just be successful by being good. My statement in no way contradicts yours.

  • @santiglot
    @santiglot 3 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    - Alex: "It was only a couple hundred viewers for the first 2 years"
    - Me: As if that's a low number O.o
    For real I admire her, great chess player and business woman

    • @oldmedstudent1750
      @oldmedstudent1750 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      she's an average chess player with looks, that's it. Just like Pokimane.

    • @pahoellyyy
      @pahoellyyy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@oldmedstudent1750 Pokimane is below average

    • @markmalnay7243
      @markmalnay7243 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@oldmedstudent1750 She’s literally a FIDE master how is that average? And poki is quite good for someone who’s never really been into chess until pogchamps came around

    • @oldmedstudent1750
      @oldmedstudent1750 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@markmalnay7243 she's nothing special.

  • @LivingSwedish
    @LivingSwedish 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    So unique! Love seeing this! ❤️

  • @jayanths1221
    @jayanths1221 3 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    0:29 - Damn, Alex looks just like young Andrea in that picture. I almost thought the editor got their names mixed up for a second...

  • @yuukibii1439
    @yuukibii1439 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    As a fellow romanian I can relate to my dad teaching me how to play when I was quite young. Good bonding opportunity

  • @Goodkindchannel
    @Goodkindchannel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    What a wonderful video!! Alexandra is inspirational! I remember when she was the president of the Stanford University Chess Club. Since chess is male dominated game, I'm glad that she is a popular Twitch streamer. I'm doing my part to inspire more women and girls to play chess too! I wrote two chess books, available on Amazon.

    • @oldmedstudent1750
      @oldmedstudent1750 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Right okay. Yifan Hou is ranked #81 for a reason.

    • @TTM9691
      @TTM9691 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I just subscribed to your channel, thanks Lauren. :)

  • @YannCogan
    @YannCogan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Very simply, AB makes chess fun, which is great. Chess at a certain level is very much about hard work and thinking rigourously, but it's a game, with a lot of emotions, and beauty.
    Alexandra just shows one can have a good level at chess and be very cool !

  • @namastemcl
    @namastemcl 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    I was always grateful to my Dad who taught me to play chess when I was a young girl. He saw no limitations in girls playing the game.

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I have no idea if my parents even know how to play

  • @morkovija
    @morkovija 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    7:40 that monopod holder setup using luggage case is GM-title worthy right there.

  • @u140550
    @u140550 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Yes!!!! I love her channel, and how good she is. She’s very smart and pretty, and she plays so good.

  • @striveknight4782
    @striveknight4782 3 ปีที่แล้ว +156

    I doubt the 100k, she probably gets around 250-400k at least, especially she's in a Team.

    • @soundninja99
      @soundninja99 3 ปีที่แล้ว +29

      Remember that she shares the twitch channel with her sister and that the deals are smaller/fewer in the chess world compared to the rest of twitch. But I'd agree it's probably over 100k

    • @marcin8865
      @marcin8865 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      100k max, chess is booming not so long time ago. In fact that is mainly streaming for them now.

    • @ellershellersh
      @ellershellersh 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @@marcin8865 no way. dont look at it from a chess prespective. They average around 10k viewers. any channel that big is bringing in 500 to 1 mil.

    • @bebzon8941
      @bebzon8941 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      @@rxn296 3$ per sub. 13500$*12=162k just from subs.
      Donations, contracts, ads easily 400-500k.

    • @bobon123
      @bobon123 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      My guess is that she is getting close to half a mil _as a firm_ , that could likely mean 250k for both sisters (no idea about their respective shares). There are costs, mostly people helping that you have to pay (and pay taxes and social security for them), but also minor business expenses like investing in pricey recording material, advertisement, cash tournaments, etc etc.

  • @briteness
    @briteness 2 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I just started watching chess streams on twitch this year. I was surprised by how popular they are, but I see here that that is a fairly recent phenomenon. It seems like chess is more prominent in popular culture (in the US, anyway) than it has been at any point since the early 1970s, and the twitch streamers like the Botez sisters are a significant part of that.

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Even Blitz chess is relatively new compared to timed chess

  • @tomlatenite8348
    @tomlatenite8348 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Stunning personality! Thanks for all of your hard work!! And your sis too.

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I need to invent a volume control for Andrea

  • @jkay07
    @jkay07 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Man you know CNBC held this episode until the right time to spring it. Fide Master is no joke. The streaming of Chess actually has viability because almost all REAL players are more interested in the game and not the hot girl. Real players will even pay for some game records to study.

    • @Damage_Inc
      @Damage_Inc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      Not sure if I completely agree. The Botez sisters came up on the scene due to the recent popularity of chess on Twitch and Alex has explicitly said a lot of their success isn't just chess - it's the ability to be a great streamer, be entertaining, do other variety outside of chess, and yes, also because she is good looking. It's the confluence of all of these things that make the Botez sisters successful. There are plenty of fide masters or GMs on Twitch and none of them have this level of popularity so I'd actually argue it's perhaps less about the chess and more about the fact that they're awesome and entertaining streamers.

    • @jkay07
      @jkay07 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Damage_Inc hmm I see. I don't know much about streaming. I just figured the kind of people who would watch blitz or have enough time to watch a game when there are more flashy things available would be not be casual chess players.
      Maybe I have the viewership pinned wrong.

    • @irrelevance3859
      @irrelevance3859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@Damage_Inc I agree. That’s a reason why Hikaru is so popular too, not only is he a Grandmaster but his personality definitely makes the game more excising. You can stream anything on twitch if you have the personality to make whatever your doing fun and exciting. That’s what makes people stay and watch.

    • @ParisDorn159
      @ParisDorn159 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      She's not a FIDE master, in fact she's much weaker than one.

    • @pahoellyyy
      @pahoellyyy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ParisDorn159 WFM is different from FM. I wish non-chess players will understand this one day. The requirements are completely on another level.

  • @jordanleopold93
    @jordanleopold93 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    There should be a "Botez Gambit" comedy spinoff. IYKYK

  • @diophantine6677
    @diophantine6677 3 ปีที่แล้ว +37

    Emil Sutovsky: "It is a fairy tale and doesn't happen in real life"
    8 year old Nigerian refugee wins New York state championship.
    Watch out for Tani!

  • @davidjames3126
    @davidjames3126 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I wish young ladies the best. Your videos are not just entertaining to one segment of the chess community..Being a novice I love how you both serious but you also have fun with it. I think that is the biggest attraction. I check in just to see what venue you explore and haven't been disappointed. Good luck an God Bless

  • @winsdomtank
    @winsdomtank 3 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    Summary
    25 years old professional chess stream that makes 6 figures a year
    Being a chess player and making a living is not different from a struggling artiste at the beginning
    Chess is not a game only for nerds
    Romania has a rich chess cultural heritage
    She won her first national tournament at 8yrs
    There is a place for women in the game of chess. Don't let the only male stereotype scare you
    Growing on twitch is slow like in any other platform
    The 6 figure income she makes comes from difference income streams all relating to twitching
    It is bit hard to be female streamer but it comes with a lot of benefits if you don't give up

    • @pahoellyyy
      @pahoellyyy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Non-chess players need to understand that her fame comes from 99% of her looks only. Her chess skills are insignificant. There are way better female chess players than her who don't have 1/100 of her fame all because they are not attractive as her. Also she feeds off of the fame of other popular chess streamers that are actually good (GM and IM level) like Hikaru, Chessbrah, and GothamChess. If Botez were to stream to only people in the chess playing world, then she wouldn't receive 1/100th of her fame - 10k subs at best. Her target audience isn't chess players however, so she doesn't have to worry about that.

  • @viteksyrovatka
    @viteksyrovatka 3 ปีที่แล้ว +184

    ''you have to be an educated player"
    *Laughs in xQc

    • @albericponcedeleon2696
      @albericponcedeleon2696 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

      "Thanks for the fat 10 gift subs Pikachu"

    • @vidco2467
      @vidco2467 3 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      @@albericponcedeleon2696 T H R O B B I N G

    • @spaceshipbutterfly
      @spaceshipbutterfly 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@bsca1956 old you said the thing 😂😂😂🤣🤣 POGGERS

  • @xShibux
    @xShibux 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    She is so smart and talented. Her parents must be really proud of her. Im glad to see, that twitch has to offer more than just cheap Hot tub and casino streams.

    • @Freempg
      @Freempg 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Her little sister is the happiest person in the world. Rarely isn't she smiling.

  • @CribNotes
    @CribNotes 2 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Aleandria's hyperactive little sister, Andrea, is a big part of Alexandria's streaming success. She's the perfect comical relief side-kick for Alexandria.

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes, she is definitely the goofier one, Alex's best joke are ones that are responses, she is horrible at writing jokes.

  • @RocMerc
    @RocMerc 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Her and her sister found a great way to make money and are super enjoyable to watch. I’m happy for her success

  • @Aoudhubillahi
    @Aoudhubillahi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    This is just really a phenomenal story. Thank you CNBC Make It for this one and many others.

  • @simplyhuman7417
    @simplyhuman7417 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Inspiring! 👍One day I hope to make it somewhere in life.

  • @timswartz4520
    @timswartz4520 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I have been drinking but I think this is your best video so far. Wake me up when it tops 1 Million.

  • @Tech.Unicorn
    @Tech.Unicorn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Ayyy, as soon as she said she's Romanian, this all made sense :P You go girl

  • @CaseyBurnsInvesting
    @CaseyBurnsInvesting 3 ปีที่แล้ว +276

    Once I can make 100k eating crunchy foods on Twitch I’ll know I’ve arrived.

    • @its_hopemarie
      @its_hopemarie 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      😂😂😂

    • @heyvincee
      @heyvincee 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      That's a tik tok following all day 😂😋

    • @TennisBarbie119
      @TennisBarbie119 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      ASMR🤫

    • @MzCrayKray
      @MzCrayKray 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Check out Crunch Asmr. She has amassed over a million follower in the 3 or 4 years that she started and she has remained anonymous.

    • @enricopallazzo3244
      @enricopallazzo3244 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Pop that shirt off and you got yourself your first sub!

  • @highdesertbiker
    @highdesertbiker 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really well done , very honest and well edited

  • @teachercharlestv
    @teachercharlestv 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Respect. You’re a motivated person! Love you channel.

  • @evie2878
    @evie2878 3 ปีที่แล้ว +281

    Everyone’s ignoring the fact that she graduated from Stanford!!❤️

    • @kevinnathaniel9231
      @kevinnathaniel9231 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      What was she majoring at yoo

    • @yeetusdeletus7040
      @yeetusdeletus7040 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@kevinnathaniel9231 international relations with a focus on China

    • @merijn2596
      @merijn2596 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      because that doens't matter in this story

    • @pabis6817
      @pabis6817 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      She dropped out

    • @vicooo4271
      @vicooo4271 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      who cares?

  • @brettpoole7888
    @brettpoole7888 3 ปีที่แล้ว +80

    Botez Gambit...the only Gambit that wins you the game when accepted.

    • @ExistenceUniversity
      @ExistenceUniversity 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Or just losing your queen, but whatever you wish to believe lol

    • @brettpoole7888
      @brettpoole7888 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ExistenceUniversity The one accepting the Gambit is the one who takes the queen.

    • @ExistenceUniversity
      @ExistenceUniversity 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brettpoole7888 Oh I read you. Yep sorry. My bad. You right

    • @brettpoole7888
      @brettpoole7888 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ExistenceUniversity It's all good.

    • @ExistenceUniversity
      @ExistenceUniversity 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@brettpoole7888 What's your favorite opening?

  • @pamelahermano9298
    @pamelahermano9298 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Glad to see her attracting newbies to chsss. I wish her all the best

  • @LearningwithLani
    @LearningwithLani 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Love that her hobby and passion became your source of income💕It’s inspiring to see women representing in fields dominated by men 👏🏼 Wishing her all the best and more success!! 🙌🏼

  • @vickikendricks
    @vickikendricks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I've always wanted to learn how to play chess. Thanks 😊

  • @phuckit1902
    @phuckit1902 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Congrats. I remember when you didn't have that many followers, I thought you were fun and skilled. Glad to see the sisters make it.

  • @karankhetwani3470
    @karankhetwani3470 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yay Alex! Excellent to see her here!

  • @NeneKennedy
    @NeneKennedy 3 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    What I learn every time a content creator succeeds is that consistency is key! Keep at it, y'all. ✨

    • @oldmedstudent1750
      @oldmedstudent1750 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Well, you need good looks like she has.

    • @YitroBenAvraham
      @YitroBenAvraham ปีที่แล้ว +1

      If you’re a woman, all you have to do is display whatever talent you have while wearing as little clothing as possible, like her.

  • @tarzan12345
    @tarzan12345 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    @0:37: you've got a Stanford graduate there, no less.

  • @DrJohnPollard
    @DrJohnPollard 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I'd like to see her play Phiona Mutesi, The Queen of Katwe. That would earn some good money on pay per view. I think they are around the same age.

  • @bbkintanar
    @bbkintanar 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    She's so awesome! As other comments have been saying, it's so inspiring to see women killing it in the chess industry dominated by men :)

  • @JacksonPriceSonder
    @JacksonPriceSonder 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Graham pleaseee, chess and finance... LOVE IT

  • @lubnan08
    @lubnan08 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    I love this! She is inspirational.

  • @ToddBaldwin
    @ToddBaldwin 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    I LOVE chess! Way to go!!

  • @TillSwims
    @TillSwims 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Congrats on the success . Kudos

  • @vekpavlovic5892
    @vekpavlovic5892 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    From a serbian part time chess player, go u Romanian beauty not because of ur looks but of ur game play. Keep it up promoting this great game

  • @odoacredacalcutta5085
    @odoacredacalcutta5085 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    all of this made possible by people who don't really know how to employ their free time for their own good. about 95% of people watching her streams don't understand the moves she makes

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      That is why they have added the board and comments into the videos. I follow most anyway but I do have to pause to analyze it unlike Alex

  • @adriancarballoza6149
    @adriancarballoza6149 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I learned how the chest pieces move a while ago, 12 years probably, but I always saw chest as the really hard game that only super smart people could enjoy

    • @vasilicaparteni1562
      @vasilicaparteni1562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I couldn't agree more. Many followers are after her chest pieces.😁😁😂

  • @KeepRecordsTV
    @KeepRecordsTV 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is truly inspiring. Thank you for this!

  • @ob1983
    @ob1983 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Extremely interesting video, I have always wondered how it all works. Thanks :)

  • @capitalgains4194
    @capitalgains4194 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Her looks play a hugggeeeee roll on the people that view her streams or vids on TH-cam i seen her thumbnail on my timeline and i questioned myself who is this pretty female talking chess so I clicked but she keeps the people around because she has charisma thats the key

  • @jugglingwithjohn
    @jugglingwithjohn 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Great story of following your passion and building success! I would like to hear more of the money details. Only 20-30% comes from viewers. Where, specifically, does the rest originate?

    • @papayahzz
      @papayahzz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      These girls have huge viewership and get a lot of big names on their stream so its no surprise companies would want to sponsor their streams

    • @willfaber5260
      @willfaber5260 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      A few years back another big streamer named Disguisedtoast made a video called “How much money do Twitch streamers really make” the information is slightly outdated because of how much twitch has grown but it should give you a pretty good idea of how monetization on twitch works

    • @davidasdxd
      @davidasdxd 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ad revenue and sponsorships mostly

    • @bebzon8941
      @bebzon8941 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      She makes 150k just from subs. If we count donations and other stuff that would mean she make millions actually (if it's really just 20-30%)

    • @davidasdxd
      @davidasdxd 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@bebzon8941 150k from subs would be around 60k subs = $5 per sub =$300k gross. Twitch takes around 50% which results in 150k for her. But she doesn't have 60k subs, not yet. As of today 17/03, only xQc, Nickmercs and Ludwig have from 50k to 60k subs, and RanbooLive has over 100k subs. Some others have 30k or less. But Botez is not yer on this list yet. Good for her for making chess mainstream tho. She will be huge.

  • @accio_biryani
    @accio_biryani 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    WOW! this was quite a surprise to Botez here, Small world.

  • @5ilvergun
    @5ilvergun 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Ba, ma bucur. Chiar ma bucur! Si ma simt mandru sa vad si alt gen de romani mediatizati! Jos palaria!

  • @trevpr1
    @trevpr1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    Each one of these videos about Alexandra and Andrea is better than the last, yet they all fail to capture the real appeal of the BotezLive channel, which is that they are fun people to spend time with.

    • @irrelevance3859
      @irrelevance3859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I agree and it always leads to a terrible comment section in turn

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@irrelevance3859 not always but ...

  • @raymarrero8690
    @raymarrero8690 3 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    As I thought this was going to be like the living on series. It would be interesting to see how she spends and lives on her salary from playing chess but cool anyways

  • @bertbalderas6714
    @bertbalderas6714 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have been following your channel for a the past few month. I have a 11 yr old granddaughter who I have encouraged to learn chess. She is intelligent and loves to play me and trap me in certain moves. How or where do I go to hone her skills at this age? I am also researching locally for any chess clubs to get her started.

  • @alphamoneymindset1270
    @alphamoneymindset1270 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Love how diverse her income is.

  • @harrydecker8731
    @harrydecker8731 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Very enterprising! As a former tournament chess player, I would also like to see Alexandra improve her skills and compete over the board.

  • @andreinitescu1768
    @andreinitescu1768 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    Bravo Alexandra !
    Români pe aici? dați like

  • @deepaujla7
    @deepaujla7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Congratulations alex.. As for analysis Good looks contributed more than 50% to her success remaining edge comes from focus and intelligence

  • @dustinsnodgress8026
    @dustinsnodgress8026 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Through watching you, Gothamchess, and Hikaru, i have been inspired. But it was your videos that brought me in to the scene.

  • @mika274
    @mika274 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I got in the chess boom right before it started. And my interest came entirely from interacting with people in office who play "physical chess". In the past year and a half it has blasted.

  • @FinancialShinanigan
    @FinancialShinanigan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +173

    Collect your "The Queen's Gambit" ticket here

  • @Royalchess1
    @Royalchess1 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    THANK YOU ALEX for this video, this answers alot of questions.

  • @petertarantelli
    @petertarantelli 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent story and well-made video!

  • @richarddaigle8777
    @richarddaigle8777 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Most guys watch the Botez sister because theyre hot, not for the chess, that's just a happy little coincidence. She'd get just as many viewers if she was playing board games.

    • @willmute
      @willmute ปีที่แล้ว

      No doubt - Andrea played Valorant before their second abroad trip to EU and she had like 6k views beside her being trash at the game.

  • @mr.goldfarmer4883
    @mr.goldfarmer4883 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    A combination of brains, beauty and humor is quite rare.

  • @thomasreavia8025
    @thomasreavia8025 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Just wanted to wish you good luck you and your sister are so great

  • @devanman7920
    @devanman7920 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    To be fair Andrea and Alex are great. Wish them both the best!

  • @BrendanEvan
    @BrendanEvan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    Had no idea chess streaming was a thing

    • @MillaExplores
      @MillaExplores 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      Yeah it's so interesting to see what you can stream on twitch

    • @irrelevance3859
      @irrelevance3859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

      @@MillaExplores you can stream anything on twitch if you have the personality for it

    • @YallahYah
      @YallahYah 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Oh it is! Coffee Chess in YT

    • @Vandicoup
      @Vandicoup 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Yeah man, it's pretty crazy. I went on Twitch just a couple weekends ago and I glanced over at the top twitch live streams for the day and it was her at the top with the video game category under her username titled "Chess" and I was like 😮

    • @53n47
      @53n47 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Lol there are ppls doing a stream while sleeping on a bed XD

  • @Elboy522
    @Elboy522 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    are people really surprised that it LITERALLY pays to be hot

    • @test5093
      @test5093 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's a kind of taboo to point it out in official media. But yeah, being hot means everything you do is interesting to people.

    • @Elboy522
      @Elboy522 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@test5093 is PROFITABLE

    • @FBR2169
      @FBR2169 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      It helps attract people but those who came only for the looks usually dont stay very long.

    • @vasilicaparteni1562
      @vasilicaparteni1562 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Exactly. She isn't the first, wouldn't be the last.

  • @Ganbakodon
    @Ganbakodon 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I hate when they make comments like "Women in chess aren't common" and "starting to change the stereotype that women aren't inferior to men at playing chess"
    Like really????? Some of the greatest players in the world are women and not to mention came into chess 70 years ago in the 50's - 60's.
    Stop going with the sexist route because it just annoys everyone.

  • @mikeo.4203
    @mikeo.4203 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Found their channel, then found this. They really found their niche and came at the perfect timing I'd imagine. I mean they are definitely making chess cooler, but by no means will it ever be mainstream. This is honestly the equivalent to most anime shows about sports, and how they are popular for like 2 seconds, but fade and return to normal popularity.

    • @toriless
      @toriless 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think the series really helped their channel since it was one of the biggest females playing chess channel at the time. Adding Andrea certainly made is less serious as well. Alex is the serious one. Andrea is the goof.