In this video, I’m testing a fun idea: can you actually earn money by playing chess on your phone in 2026, or is it just hype? I break down three apps that use different reward systems—some are more casual and based on prize draws, and others are straight-up skill competitions where your chess level really matters. The big takeaway is that yes, it can work, but it’s more “extra money” than a stable income. First, I cover Big Time Chess, one of the most popular options. You play normal games, earn tickets, and those tickets automatically enter you into cash prize drawings funded by ad revenue—winnings are typically paid via PayPal. Then I move to Chess for Cash online matches, which is more competitive: head-to-head matches and tournaments with the same board and time limits to keep things fair. Finally, I talk about a real-money chess app built on a skills competition system, where you can join 1v1 or multiplayer tournaments—sometimes with a small entry fee—and also practice for free before jumping into paid matches.