Any professional chess players out there?

Bump.

I made a chess set in wood shop when I was a kid. Woodturning and carving. It was neat, I made it for my dad and he used it exclusively for years till he died. I now am the caretaker. I havent played chess in years though. I didnt realize that there even was the opportunity to turn "pro".
What , do you get sponsors and then challenge the masters for cash? sort of chess hustling?

As far as I know,
You play in as many
tournaments as possible
boosting your rating and
experience until you're able to
qualify for U.S. Championship where,
the prizes get significantly bigger and not to mention
the world championship. You don't need a sponsor but
it would help if you have to travel internationally for a well paying tournament.
See, that's the thing, you have to be really really,
insanely good, for the game to be profitable, from what I hear.

She's not very good - but tries hard.
Sorry - no advice on your question - but good luck mate.

ummmmmmmmmmmmm thanx.

I Googled and found:

http://www.jeremysilman.com/chess_raves/090602_karel_van_der_weide_rave.html

I read about a half dozen obituaries on Bobby Fischer. Truly a pathetic character, self-centered and eccentric. Trying to get a match going in his later life would usually degenerate into untoward demands such as the size of the noses of the knights.

But his early play was stunningly brilliant, always attacking with fierce aggresiveness. Studying his classic games must be required reading.

He was just nuts. Was he actually considered a chess "pro"?

He became the youngest grandmaster in US history. He was able to command large purses and sparked worldwide interest in chess to a new generation. That certainly qualifies him as a pro.

He wasn't the guy you would bring to a party but, he was a genius and nothing less.

I am a regular at Silman's site but I have never seen this article.
Very interesting, I am still reading.

Did Bobby Fischer have any other visible means of support?

What sort of support? financial? moral?

Financial.

How did he pay the rent?

He made his living solely off chess. He, for instance, won a 5 million dollar prize in 1992. It was the match that drew the wrath of American officials because of its location, Yugoslavia. The Bosnian War was underway, and a total trade ban was in force.

It's interesting that Fischer lost a good deal of his money to an apocalytic, end of the world church. They foolishly picked a specific, imminent date, and when that day came and went without incident, Fischer angrily denounced the whole thing.