Comments on https://lichess.org/@/nikhildixit/blog/how-much-i-spent-on-chess-in-2025-10565/tkhKvlWm
@nikhildixit Cool blog. Loved the breakdown. Congrats on getting the IM title!
That AI thumbnail is a baffler tho.
1. A large piece of the chess board has been sawed off to fit the moneys and the calculator.
2. The corner of the board is completely distorted.
3. The pieces are not even placed properly on individual squares.
4. There are two white queens? With different designs?? And the thing on the right looks like it's supposed to be a king but it doesn't have a crown (and it has a different color)???
5. Why are there three colors on the board??? (Yellow, Brown and Dark Blue)
6. The Brown Rook has a different design.
7. The left Black Rook has had its top melted.
8. Why does the Black bishop look like a pawn?
9. What on earth is the ghost pawn doing there? (below the '2025', between 2 and 0)
10. Where is the Dark Blue King??? XD
@nikhildixit Cool blog. Loved the breakdown. Congrats on getting the IM title!
*That AI thumbnail is a baffler tho.*
**1.** A large piece of the chess board has been sawed off to fit the moneys and the calculator.
**2.** The corner of the board is completely distorted.
**3.** The pieces are not even placed properly on individual squares.
**4.** There are two white queens? With different designs?? And the thing on the right looks like it's supposed to be a king but it doesn't have a crown (and it has a different color)???
**5.** Why are there three colors on the board??? (Yellow, Brown and Dark Blue)
**6.** The Brown Rook has a different design.
**7.** The left Black Rook has had its top melted.
**8.** Why does the Black bishop look like a pawn?
**9.** What on earth is the ghost pawn doing there? (below the '2025', between 2 and 0)
**10.** Where is the Dark Blue King??? XD
Does it cost money to buy the IM title?
If you had stayed at home instead of playing chess tournaments, then you also would have had expenses.
If you had taken a normal holiday vacation, then you also would have had expenses.
Congrats on your IM title, you can see it as an investment: it will better sell your materials, you may get free entry in some tournaments and even an appearance fee.