How much money would you earn if you played chess professionally

NONE-  IF i played chess professionally I would owe money - I friend of mine said he had a friend who about 25 years ago lived breathed chess - dreamed of playing chess professionallay - after he played and won money and QUIT - he said chess people are the most boring narrow minded people that ever walked the earth ( and he was a NERD ) - he later became a super computer programmer for a large firm 

EOGuel, perhaps you should read Danny Gormally's autobiography ...

And perhaps you should look up Magnus Carlsen's net worth...

Magnus is not a typical GM. He is the 'best of the best'.

typical GMs are nowhere near as financially successful as him.

Also Hikaru makes quite a bit of money by sponsoring Red Bull. I think the top 10 in the world, all amke at least 100k a year. Magnus makes at least a million though- mainly from world champ matches (every 2 years i think) and sponsorships.