Candidate Master (CM) - Chess Glossary
Candidate Master (CM)
Definition
“Candidate Master” is an official title awarded by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) to players who demonstrate strong competitive ability, but have not yet reached the higher titles of FIDE Master (FM), International Master (IM), or Grandmaster (GM). The title is lifelong once earned and is placed after the player’s name (e.g., John Doe, CM). In many national systems there is a parallel, often older designation— sometimes called “National Candidate Master” (NCM or simply CM)—which follows similar rating requirements under the respective federation’s rating list.
Rating Requirements
FIDE currently grants the CM title to any player who achieves a published FIDE classical rating of at least 2200 at any point in their career. No title “norms” are required.
National chess federations often use different thresholds (for example, 2000 – 2199 in the United States Chess Federation) for their own “Candidate Master” designations.
[[Chart|Rating|Classical|2001-2024]]Historical Background
• The CM title was introduced by FIDE in 2002 to create a smooth progression of titles beneath FIDE Master.
Before that, a player who reached 2200 would often have to wait until 2300 to receive the FM title.
• The “Candidate Master” concept, however, is much older in national chess culture. In the Soviet Union of the
1930s–1980s, “Кандидат в мастера спорта” (KMS) was a coveted pre-master title. Many future world-class stars,
including Anatoly Karpov, first earned KMS before rising to full master status.
Usage in Chess Culture
- Title line in pairings: Tournament listings will show a player as “CM” in the same way they show “IM” or “GM”.
- Psychological edge: Carrying a title, even a “minor” one, can influence an opponent’s perception and over-the-board decisions.
- Eligibility: Certain invitational events or team boards require at least a CM title; it can also help with federation or sponsor support.
Strategic and Practical Significance
Attaining 2200 rating typically signifies that a player:
- Has a well-developed opening repertoire and can comfortably navigate mainline theory (e.g., 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 in the Ruy Lopez).
- Understands basic to intermediate strategic concepts: pawn structures, prophylaxis, and typical endgames (e.g., Lucena and Philidor positions).
- Shows reliable tactical vision—spotting motifs like between moves, deflections, and perpetual checks.
Therefore, the CM level acts as a milestone where many chess students confirm that their study methods and tournament discipline are working before pushing toward master and beyond.
Illustrative Example
The miniature below was played in the Spanish Team Championship 2019. White (a newly minted CM) punishes a casual Sicilian setup:
The game shows how a CM-level player uses rapid development and tactical motifs (sacrificing on b5 and infiltrating on f7) to punish Black’s queen-side pawn thrusts. Such sharp execution is typical for players in the 2200–2300 range.
Notable Players Who Were Once “Candidate Masters”
- Magnus Carlsen: Crossed 2200 in 2003 and received CM at age 13 before skyrocketing to GM the following year.
- Hou Yifan: Held the CM title (via her rating) at age 11, then became the youngest Woman GM and later Women’s World Champion.
- Sam Shankland: Famously said he was “stuck at 2200” for two years as a US Candidate Master before a breakthrough to IM and, eventually, 2700+.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because FIDE awards CM automatically on rating, a few players have briefly shot above 2200 in a single rating list, obtained the title, and then dipped back under 2000—resulting in “underrated” CMs!
- The abbreviation “CM” sometimes causes confusion with “Correspondence Master” in International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF) events.
- In online communities, the phrase “chasing the purple” (after the purple flare of the CM badge on Chess.com) has become internet slang for players trying to break 2200.
Summary
Candidate Master is both a milestone and a motivational tool in the chess world. It recognizes solid, expert-level play and encourages the ongoing climb toward full master titles. Historically rooted and still culturally relevant, the CM designation marks the point where a chess enthusiast becomes a serious competitive force.