I'm afraid it's *way* too late to become a professional player at your age and playing strength. There's only enough money for a handful of people in the world to be professional players, and those spots are all taken up by people who will be studying just as many hours as you will but have already gotten years of a head start. But take heart, there's still plenty of time to have a fun and rewarding amateur chess career!
To answer the question, play is a two-edged sword. Play that reinforces good habits and implements new ideas learned through study is good for you. Play that repeats mistakes and reinforces bad habits is detrimental. So you should play as often as you need to to be able to implement new ideas and reinforce good habits, and study the remainder.
My intentions with chess is to become a professional tournament chess player. I have been playing almost every day for 2 years now, and I have read about a book and a half. I know for a fact that I have spent WAYYYY more time playing chess, than studying from books, etc. I am here, asking for advice. Every once in a while I will have a great game, and can play good battles against 1700 rated players. I find it difficult to raise my rating because I blunder too often...If my goal is to become a professional, I wonder if I should change my strategy for learning chess.
Which is more important, study or play? Comments, suggestions, ideas, are all appreciated!
Cheers!
James