No project can become a competitor to bitcoin in long term, whatever the idea about the project but still someone is behind the project who can change at any time but its not the same with Bitcoin, the satoshi was unknown,is unknown and will be unknown so no government can catch him and put a stop for the project which replaces the current fiat system.
There is no need to try and compete with btc or any other project per say, their focus should be providing a unique alternative to btc type of project which majority will worthy enough to participate, btc is no more easy to mine, if chai can be easy it will bring more people to be part of it, competition is not always the case.
Concerning Chia, it's pure luck for people who are farming solo, it's the main problem.
This one should be considered the difficulty of mining this coin using solo farming the chance like what you have said
is base on luck or chances is really slim.
But if there are good offer from this coin and the usablities of this project allows more people to enjoy the service then
there's a chance that it will bring something inside the market.
I agree with you, this service can have a potential but the architecture of the distribution of blocks / coins is really fuc°°°.
in 30 days difficulty from 47 to 747 
this train is gone...
https://www.chiaexplorer.com/charts/difficulty?period=1m
It had never gone, I have just checked and researched on chia network and discovered it's a good and reputable and promisable project, the fact that it's listed on almost all of the best cryptocyrrency exchange speaks good about it and possibly will take time to shows her development into the crypto mainstream. Trading volume is sufficient to utilize the coin to reach her goal. Chia network is a good project but can't be used to compare with bitcoin, you can compare it with EOS, NEO, ETH, Stellar and other blockchain. this train is gone... https://www.chiaexplorer.com/charts/difficulty?period=1m
i am running 300plots more than 3 weeks... no luck to catch any block
... 5time total blackout need to restart my farm and sinhronised again.... then read forums.. and funny a lot of people writing ..non responding and deleting questions on reddit..By FARMING yes, you need time, and good Weather conditions, here
nobody know what is going on behind , just wait and wait and dificulty rise up.... 
i think this is like stupid newer ending DRAG RACE !You should stop to farm in solo mode and finally to join a pool, you will not have to bet on luck and also you will avoid many blackout problems.
i wait for .. You CAN NOT USE POOL mining without to SEND PRIVATE KEY .... MY PRIVATE KEY TO THE POOL ??
... this is the biggest mistake !and finnaly if this RUSH is only for FEW runners
POINT in FARMING IS that anyone can own a small plots ... point for good SHITCOIN is That all the people can be a parto of it... not only FEW people that own 10000 HARD DRIVES
if every PC user can farm chia beside regular work.. then this will be a REAL GREAT COIN !