“Chess Doctor – How do you get the different titles in chess? I know that Grandmaster is the highest title, but I always get the others confused.“
The individual titles associated with chess players are not difficult to confuse for the uninitiated. Apart from the methods listed below, there are also several ways that each of these titles can be achieved thanks to a sufficiently powerful performance in certain tournaments. More information can be found here.
The first step to achieving a recognized title is to join either your national federation (e.g. the USCF for the U.S.), or FIDE, the international chess federation. The requirements for national titles (e.g. National Master, or Candidate Master) can vary. In the U.S., a 2200 rating is necessary for the National Master title, while Candidate Master can be achieved with a 2000 rating and five performance-based norms. Other countries to award National titles include England, Canada, and New Zealand.
As the international chess federation, titles awarded by FIDE must be recognized by every country in the world, giving them much more prestige. The lowest ranking title is Candidate Master, which can be achieved with a 2200 FIDE rating, or with five separate performances at a 2300 level. The next step on the ladder is FIDE Master, for which a 2300 rating is necessary. It is worth noting that for all titles, a live rating in excess of the requirement is sufficient – e.g., if you reach 2300 “live” after three games in a tournament.
For the International Master title, a 2400 rating is required, along with three norms, over 27 games total. Norm requirements include a performance rating of at least 2450 over nine games (a typical number for events with norm chances), opposition with an average rating of at least 2230, and at least three opponents from a different federation than the player’s. The latter is always necessary for any level of norm.
Finally, the highest possible FIDE title is, as mentioned in the question, Grandmaster. To achieve GM a rating of 2500 is necessary, and once again three norms. This time the performance rating needed for a norm is 2600. Woman-only titles, always a controversial topic, require exactly 200 less points in every area.
I hope this helps answer the original question! As always, you’re welcome to submit a question of your own by clicking the button below or going to https://grandmaster2b.com/chess-doctor/
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