Grand Master (GM)                               2500

International Master (IM)                     2400

FIDE Master (FM)                                  2300

Women Grand Master (WGM)               2300

Candidate Master (CM)                         2200

Women International Master (WIM)     2200

Woman FIDE Master (WFM)                  2100

Woman Candidate Master (WCM)         2000

Titles for Arbiters

International Arbiter

FIDE Arbiter

National Arbiter

Senior Arbiter

FIDE Trainer

FIDE Instructor

Highest Award in Chess : Chess Oscar

Other Chess Awards

Chess Journalists of America Awards

Incentives / Awards for Chess in India

International Title Regulations of FIDE

 As approved by the 1982 General Assembly and amended by the General Assemblies of 1984 to 2008, these regulations shall be valid from 1.7.2009.

 0.0 Introduction

 0.1     Only the titles as in 0.3 are acknowledged by FIDE.

0.2     The following regulations can onlybe altered by the General Assembly following recommendation by the Qualification Commission.

• 0.21   Any such changes shall only be made every fourth year, commencing from 2004 (unless the Commission agrees urgent action is required).
• 0.22   Any such changesshall take effect from 1July of the year following the decision by the General Assembly. For tournaments, such changes shall apply to those starting on or after that date.

0.3     The International FIDE titles shall be under the umbrella of the Qualification Commission, which is the final judging unit. The titles are:

0.31   Titles for over-the-board standard chess (as defined in 1.14), the judging unit being the FIDE Qualification Commission:

Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM),Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), Woman FIDE Master (WFM), Woman Candidate Master (WCM).

0.32   Titles for chess composition, the judging unit being the Permanent Commission for Chess Compositions: Grandmaster of Solving (GS), International Master of Solving (IMS), FIDE Master of Solving (FMS); Grandmaster of Composing (GMC), International Master of Composing (IMC), FIDE Master of Composing (FMC); International Judge of Chess Composition (IJCC).

0.33   Titles for correspondence chess, the judging unit being the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF).

0.34   International Organizer (IO) Title, the judging unit being the FIDE Qualification Commission.

0.4     The titles are valid for life from the date confirmed.

0.41   Use of a FIDE title or rating to subvert the ethical principles of the title or rating system may subject a person to revocation of his title upon recommendation by the Qualification and Ethics Commissions and final action by the General Assembly.

0.42 A title is officially valid from the date all the requirements are met. In order for a title to be confirmed where it is based on an application, it must be published on the FIDE website and in other relevant FIDE documents for at least 60 days. For registered automatic titles see below, 0.5.

0.43 The title can be used for results of opponents only in tournaments starting after the confirmation.

0.44 In terms of, for example, the age of achieving a title, the title is considered to be achieved when the last result is achieved, and the rating requirement is fulfilled, whichever date is later.

0.5     Definitions

          In the following text some special terms are used.

Rating performance is based on the player’s result and average rating of opponents.

Title performance (for example, GM performance) is a result that gives a performance rating as defined in 1.48 and 1.49 against the minimum average of the opponents, taking into account article 1.46, for that title. For example, for GM performance, average rating of the opponents ≥2380, and performance ≥2600. This might be achieved, for example, by a result of 7 points out of 9 games.

          GM performance is ≥ 2600 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2380.

          IM performance is ≥ 2450 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2230.

          WGM performance is ≥ 2400 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2180.

          WIM performance is ≥ 2250 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2030.

Title norm is a title performance fulfilling additional requirements concerning the mix of titled players and nationalities as specified in articles 1.42 to 1.47.

Category was used for title results earlier. Now it is used only to describe the overall strength of a round-robin tournament. Categories are based on the average rating of all the players in a round-robin tournament, In a Swiss tournament category was calculated as the average of the ratings of the player and his opponents. Category 1 is average rating of 2251-2275, category II 2276-2300 etc, for women category I is average 2051-2075, II 2076-2100 etc.

Registered title (automatic title) is a title gained by achieving a certain place or result in a tournament. For example, winning, or achieving a result ³50 percent in a tournament. On application by the player’s federation and confirmation by the Qualification Commission, such titles are awarded automatically by FIDE.

0.6     The Award of Titles

0.61   Titles in 0.31 may be awarded for specific results in specific Championship events, or are awarded on achieving a rating as laid down in these regulations. Such titles are confirmed by theChairman of the Qualification Commission on advice from the FIDE Office. They are then awarded by FIDE.

          Titles are also awarded based on applications with norms with a sufficient number of games. These titles shall be awarded by the General Assembly on recommendation by the Qualification Commission that the candidate meets the requirements.

0.62   The Presidential Board or Executive Board may award titles under 0.31 or 0.34in clear cases only, after consultation with the appropriate chairman.

0.63   For 0.33, the ICCF confirms the titles; upon receiving the report, FIDE shall award  the title.

1.0 Requirements for titles designated in 0.31

1.1     Administration

1.11   Play shall be governedby the FIDE Laws of Chess and FIDE Tournament Rules. Minor deviations may be permitted by the Technical Commission Chairman.

The tournament system must be a fair one. Tournaments where the composition is changed (without FIDE approval) during the tournament or those where players have different conditions in terms of rounds and pairing are not valid.

The tournament must be registered at least 30 days in advance on the FIDE server, and all details of the tournament must be published in the FIDE calendar.

1.12   There must be no more than twelve hours play in one day. This is calculated based on games that last 60 moves, although games played using increments may last longer.

1.13   That no more than two rounds be played on any one day.

1.14   The tournament must be played by using one of the following rates of play:

          90 minutes with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from first move

          90 minutes for 40 moves + 30 minutes with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from the first move

          100 minutes for 40 moves followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 10 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from first move           

          40 moves in 2 hours followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game

          40 moves in 2 hours followed by 60 minutes for the rest of the game

          40 moves in 2 hours followed by 20 moves in 1 hour followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game

1.15 Normally only events played in a period of at most 90 days are permitted. Leagues and national team championships of a longer duration are permitted. The QC Chairman may give prior approval to tournaments lasting longer than 90 days. 

1.16 Calculating the norm requirements for an event which lasts longer than 90 days can

        be done in two ways. Which system is used must be stipulated prior to the event and                    mentioned in all publicity and indicated on all norm certificates IT1.

The same system as in B.02.4.12 must be used for calculating rating changes.

 (a) The Rating List at the start of the competition shall be used, or

 (b) The opponents’ ratings at the date the game is played shall be used.

1.17   The tournament shall be conducted by an International Arbiter, failing that, by a FIDE Arbiter.

1.2     Titles achieved from International Championships:

1.21   As indicated below, a player may gain a

         (a) title from such an event or

         (b) gain a single title result (norm). Then the requirements in 1.42 - 1.49 shall apply.

         (c) gain a single performance norm. Then the requirements in 1.22, 1.42, 1.46-1.48 shall apply.

1.22   The minimum score is 35% for all titles. The result shown is the minimum required.

1.23   With the exception of IBCA, ICSC and IPCA, in the continental, regional or other associations’ competitions mentioned below, a title or result can be achieved only if at least 1/3 of the appropriate member federations participate in the event.

The minimum number of participants in the tournament is eight.

1.24   A norm in Olympiad etc. (see the chart below) is worth 20 games; a performance result is worth 13 games.

Remarks:

(a)  For example: Women’s World Championship: Finalist = 9 game GM norm. This means that the result counts as if it was a norm and had met all the necessary requirements.

(b)   Wherea zonal/subzonal is played with preliminaries and finals, the results shall be pooled.

(c)   Subzonals must be approved by the Presidential Board.    

(d)  For zonals/subzonals only one IM/WIM title can be obtained based on a result ≥66²/₃ percent, only two FM/WFM titles can be obtained based on a result ≥50 percent.

(e) The result must be achieved in consecutive games starting from the first game the player plays in the tournament. If a player achieves ³4½ points (3½ points for CM/WCM), the title is awarded, even if the player does not play 9 games (7 games for CM/WCM)

(f) 1^st = means shared first place.

 1.3     Those titles gained by achieving a published rating at some time or other:

1.31   FIDE Master                                              ≥2300

1.32   Candidate Master                                     ≥2200

1.33   Women FIDE Master                                 ≥2100

1.34   Women Candidate Master                        ≥2000 

1.4     The GM, IM, WGM, WIM titles can also be gained by achieving norms in internationally rated tournaments played according to the following regulations.

1.41   The number of games

1.41a The player must play at least 9 games, however

1.41b Only 7 games are required for 7 round Continental and World Team
Championships.
Only 7 games are required for 8 or 9 round Continental and World Team
Championships.
Only 8 games are required for 8 or 9 round Continental and World Team
Championship; World Cup or Women World Championship. For the World Cup
and Women’s World Championship these 8 game norms count as if 9 games.

1.41c Where a player exceeds the norm requirements by one or more full points, then the length of the tournament is considered to be extended by that number of games when computing the total number of games.

1.42   Games as follows are not included.

1.42a  against opponents who do not belong to FIDE federations.

1.42b  against computers

1.42c decided by forfeit, adjudication or any means other than over the board play. Other games once started, which are forfeited for whatever reason, shall however be included. In a last round game a player must play in order to have the required number of games, but can afford to lose. Then, if the opponent forfeits, the norm shall still count.

1.42d  against unrated players who score zero against rated opponents in round robin tournaments.

1.42e  A player may ignore his game(s) against any opponents he has defeated, provided he has met the required mix of opponents, and provided that this leaves him with at least the minimum number of games as in 1.41, against the required mix of opponents. Nonetheless, the full cross-table of the event must be submitted.

1.42f  A player who has achieved a title result, before the last round may ignore all games played subsequently, provided he has met the required mix of opponents, and provided this leaves him with at least the minimum number of games as in 1.41. A player who has achieved a title as in 1.3 may ignore all games played subsequently. See 1.52a.

1.42g  Tournaments that make changes to favour one or more players (for example by altering the number of rounds, or the order of rounds, or providing particular opponents, not otherwise participating in the event), shall be excluded.

           The tournament program and the pairing system used must be published at the time of the registration of the tournament.

1.43   Federations ofopponents

At least two federations other than that of the title applicant must be included, except for 1.43a-1.43e. Even then see 1.43f.

1.43a        The finals (but not preliminaries) of national men’s championships and also national women’s championships.

1.43b        National team championships.

1.43c        Zonal tournaments.

1.43d        Tournaments of other types may also be included with the prior approval of the QC Chairman.

1.43e        Swiss System tournaments in which the competitors include at least 20 FIDE Rated players, not from the host federation, from at least 3 federations, at least 10 of whom hold GM, IM, WGM or WIM titles. Otherwise 1.44 applies.

1.43f At least one of the norms has to be achieved under normal foreigner requirement. (See 1.43 first clause and 1.44a)

1.44   Opponents shall be calculated using rounding up (minimum) to the next whole number, to the next lower number (maximum).

1.44a        A maximum of 3/5 of the opponents may come from the applicant’s federation and a maximum of 2/3 of the opponents from one federation. For exact numbers see the table in 1.7.

1.45   Titles ofopponents

1.45a At least50% of theopponents shall be title-holders (TH) as in 0.31, excluding CM and WCM. For exact numbers see table in 1.7.

1.45b        For a GM norm at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents (MO) must be GMs. For exact numbers see table in 1.7.

1.45c        For an IM norm, at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents (MO) must be IMs (GM counts as if 1.5IM). For exact numbers see table in 1.7.

1.45d        For a WGM norm,at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents (MO) must be WGMs (GM=1.5WGM, IM=1WGM, FM=1WGM). For exact numbers see table in 1.7.

1.45e        For a WIM norm, at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents (MO) must be WIMs (GM=2WIM, WGM=1.5WIM, IM, FM=1.5WIM). For exact numbers see table in 1.7.

1.45f Double round-robin tournaments need a minimum of six players. An opponent’s title as in 1.45b-e shall be counted only once.

1.46     Rating of opponents

1.46a        Minimum number of rated opponents, see table in 1.7. It can be calculated also so that maximum number of unrated opponents is 20 percent of (number of opponents + 1).

1.46b        The Rating List in effect at the start of the tournament shall be used, see exception in 1.16. The rating of players who belong to federations which are temporarily excluded when the event starts can be determined on applications to the FIDE Office.

1.46c For the purposes of norms, the minimum rating (adjusted rating floor) for the opponents shall be as follows:

Grandmaster                                                        2200

International Master                                            2050

Woman Grandmaster                                           2000

Woman International Master                              1850

1.46c1 No more than one opponent shall have his rating raised to this adjusted rating floor. Where more than one opponent are below the floor, the rating of the lowest opponents shall be raised.

1.46d        Unrated opponents not covered by 1.46c shall be considered to be rated at the rating floor level. See FIDE rating regulations for the current level of the floor.

1.46e An unrated titled player is counted as follows:

         GM 2300, WGM 2100, IM 2200, WIM 2000, FM 2100, WFM 1900.

1.47     Rating average of opponents

1.47a        This is the total of the opponents’ ratings divided by the number of opponents taking 1.46c into account.

1.47b        Rounding of the Rating Average is made to the nearest whole number. The fraction 0.5 is rounded upward.

1.48   Performance Rating (R_p)

In order to achieve a norm, a player must perform at a level at least of that shown below:

          Minimum level            Minimum level

          prior to rounding         after rounding

GM        2599.5                    2600

IM          2449.5                        2450

WGM     2399.5                        2400

WIM       2249.5                        2250

Calculation of a Performance Rating ( R_p ):

R_p  =  R_a  +  d_p  (see the table below)

R_a = Average rating of opponents  +  rating difference „d_p“  from table 10.1a of FIDE Rating Regulations B.02 (conversion from percentage score „p“ into rating differences „d_p“).

1.48a The minimum average ratings R_a of the opponents are as follows:

          GM 2380, WGM 2180, IM 2230, WIM 2030.