I can Identify with that. I don't do chess but I do golf. I can write readable content. But getting traffic I am planning to review the entire content focusing on key word search. Making sure that your front page or landing page is alive and eye catching is critical in my view. It is my challenge right now. A combination video pictures that differentiate you from the everyday run of the mill. I am planning on a crash course in social media to make sure I optimize their use. that might help you too, if you are as old as I am.
They say, you never get a second chance for the first impression, I believe, if the attraction is backed by substance you will retain viewers, which makes harmonization possible.
I share your assessment, in a sense that, if you were consistent in your efforts, after five months, you should see at least a sale or 2.

You are on the right track though, I hope you had your sight evaluated. If you have not talked to jay I would recommend sending him a private message.
Stay with it; you were born to be a 1099, make it work. According to your profile ,Accounting, health and physical training are down your ally, you may consider diversifying and a dd a couple of niches; now that your site building skills have improved that should take less time to get done.

Success is going from one failure to another without loosing enthusiasm.

Best wishes

Hi, that's an interesting niche, and there are certainly some interesting websites out there devoted to the chess community. What do you think of them? Are you planning to emulate them, or introduce a chess site with your own unique spin on things?

We grew up playing chess in our family, as our dad was a bit of a chess tyrant back in the day. I still have his Bobby Fischer books here. Are you angling for the experienced chess playing audience that buys this sort of book, or curious beginners? Because if it's the former, they definitely have no trouble with attention spans - it's probably one of the side benefits that chess players enjoy! Agreed though, ebooks are pretty helpful for raising brand awareness and traffic.

Hey, that's really rough, being bounced around from one contract to another after graduating. I'm so sorry to read about that. I hope you will find an alternative to such contract work that will align beautifully with your passions. You don't sound like the kind of person that gives up easily.