Olexandr Bortnyk offered a blunt assessment of professional chess opportunities in the United States during a recent interview. The Ukrainian grandmaster noted that participants in the Grand Chess Tour see little rotation, with the same players receiving invitations repeatedly. Bortnyk pointed out that American competitors have benefited from substantial financial support provided by Rex Sinquefield, which he views as a matter of fortune rather than merit.

Bortnyk questioned whether reaching a 2700 classical rating truly guarantees financial success at the highest levels. He suggested that online chess generates more income than tournament play at that strength, and that a rating of 2700 alone does not lead to tournament invitations. Players rated around 2750, he said, receive better compensation through league play in competitions such as the Bundesliga.

The Ukrainian grandmaster expressed frustration with the selection process for elite events, noting that organizers invite certain players while overlooking others of comparable strength. He argued that if a player resides in the United States, the chess infrastructure there presents significant disadvantages despite the prominence of major tournaments and substantial prize funds in the country.