The titles of Grandmaster, International Master, FIDE Master and Candidate Master are available to all
over-the-board chess players. The requirements for each title have varied over time, but generally require having demonstrated a prescribed level of achievement in tournaments at classical time controls under FIDE-approved conditions. These titles are sometimes erroneously described as "men's titles", to contrast them with "women's titles" (see below). In fact, any chess player who meets the performance requirements is eligible for these titles, regardless of gender.
Grandmaster (GM) The title Grandmaster is awarded to outstanding chess players by FIDE. Apart from
World Champion, Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain. In chess literature, it is usually abbreviated to GM. The abbreviation IGM for "International Grandmaster" is occasionally seen, usually in older literature. The usual way to obtain the title is to achieve three Grandmaster-level performances (called
norms), along with a
FIDE rating of 2500 or more. The precise definition of a GM norm is complex and has frequently been amended, but in general, a grandmaster norm is defined as a performance rating of at least 2600 over 9 or more rounds. In addition, the field must have an average rating of at least 2380, must include at least three grandmasters, and must include players from a mix of national federations. The title may also be awarded directly without going through the usual norm requirements in a few high-level tournaments, provided that the player has a FIDE rating of over 2300. These include: • Reaching the final 16 in the
FIDE World Cup • Winning the
Women's Chess World Cup • Winning the
Women's World Championship • Winning the
World Junior Championship (U20) • Winning the
World Senior Championship, both in the 50+ and 65+ divisions • Winning a Continental (e.g.
Pan American,
European,
Asian or
African) championship Beginning with
Nona Gaprindashvili in 1978, a number of women have earned the GM title. Since about 2000, most of the top 10 women have held the GM title which is different from the
Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title. At 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days;
Abhimanyu Mishra became the youngest person ever to qualify for the Grandmaster title in July 2021. The record was previously held by
Sergey Karjakin at 12 years, 7 months for 19 years;
Judit Polgár at 15 years and 4 months; and
Bobby Fischer at 15 years, 6 months and 1 day; for 33 years.
International Master (IM) The title International Master is awarded to strong
chess players who are below the level of grandmaster. Instituted along with the Grandmaster title in 1950, it is usually abbreviated as IM in chess literature. Like the grandmaster title, the usual way to obtain the title is to achieve three required title
norms over 27 or more games and a
FIDE rating of 2400 or more. In general, an IM norm is defined as a performance rating of at least 2450 over 9 or more games. In addition, the field must have an average rating of at least 2230, must include at least three International Masters or Grandmasters, and must include players from a mix of national federations. After becoming an IM, most professional players set their next goal to becoming a Grandmaster. It is also possible to become a Grandmaster without ever having been an International Master.
Larry Christiansen of the United States (1977),
Wang Hao of China,
Anish Giri of the Netherlands,
Olga Girya of Russia (2021), former world champion
Mikhail Tal, and former world champion
Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, all became Grandmasters without ever having been IMs.
Bobby Fischer of the United States attained both titles solely by virtue of qualifying for the 1958 Interzonal (IM title) and 1959 Candidates Tournament (GM title), only incidentally becoming IM before GM. The more usual path is first to become an IM, then move on to the GM level. On 25 May 2025,
Roman Shogdzhiev became the youngest International Master at the age of 10 years, 3 months, and 21 days, after playing in the RadnickiChess May IM Round Robin in
Belgrade, Serbia, scoring 7/9 points. He broke the previous record of
Faustino Oro by over 5 months.
FIDE Master (FM) Introduced in 1978 along with WFM, FM ranks below the title of International Master, but ahead of Candidate Master. Unlike the Grandmaster and International Master titles, there is no requirement for a player to achieve norms. The usual way for a player to qualify for the FIDE Master title is by achieving an Elo rating of 2300 or more. The youngest player to gain the FM title by achieving an Elo rating of 2300 is
Faustino Oro from Argentina who, when he was nine, hit 2314 Elo rating after participating in the ITT Ajedrez Martelli Jovenes Talentos 2023.
Candidate Master (CM) Introduced in 2002 along with WCM, the usual way for a player to qualify for the Candidate Master title is by achieving an Elo rating of 2200 or more. For players rated over 2000, but under 2200, there are many other ways to gain the title. They include: • Finishing first, second, or third in the
World Youth Championship (U8 and U10) • Finishing second or third in a Continental under 12, under 14, or under 16 championship • Finishing second or third in the
World Youth Championship (U14 and U12) • Scoring 50% or more over at least 7 games at an
Olympiad or other special events In case a player achieves the CM title through the Olympiad performance, the minimum required rating of 2000 does not apply, according to a title regulations update that became effective January 1st, 2024. Prior to 2018, there was no minimum rating requirement, and coming in the top three of an U8 continental tournament was acceptable. As a result, there are a number of CMs with far lower ratings than 2000. == Women's titles ==