Chess titles: definition, types, and usage

Titles

Definition

In chess, “titles” are official designations awarded by governing bodies (primarily FIDE, the International Chess Federation) that recognize a player’s demonstrated strength and achievements. The most well-known playing titles are Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), and Candidate Master (CM). Titles are typically lifetime honors and are shown as prefixes before a player’s name (e.g., GM Viswanathan Anand).

How Titles Are Used

Usage in Play and Media

Titles appear on pairing sheets, broadcast overlays, scoretables, federations’ lists, and commentary. They help players and audiences quickly gauge the competitive level of participants. Titles also influence invitations to closed tournaments, team board orders, and seeding in events.

Language and Notation

Common abbreviations include GM, IM, FM, CM, WGM, WIM, WFM, and WCM. In reports and broadcasts, you might see “GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 2830 vs. IM X (USA) 2450,” or hear “She needs a final norm for her IM title.”

Types of Titles

FIDE Open (Gender-Neutral) Playing Titles

Grandmaster (GM): The highest over-the-board title. Requires multiple performance “norms” and reaching a rating threshold at some point.
International Master (IM): One step below GM; also requires norms and a rating milestone.
FIDE Master (FM): Earned primarily by achieving a rating threshold.
Candidate Master (CM): Entry-level FIDE title based on rating.

FIDE Women’s Playing Titles

Woman Grandmaster (WGM)
Woman International Master (WIM)
Woman FIDE Master (WFM)
Woman Candidate Master (WCM)

Women can and frequently do hold open titles (e.g., GM Judit Polgár, GM Hou Yifan). Women’s titles exist in parallel to recognize achievement within women-only competitive categories.

Other Title Systems

National titles: For example, US Chess awards “National Master” at 2200 USCF, with higher honors like Senior Master at 2400.
Arbiter and Trainer titles: FIDE titles such as International Arbiter (IA), FIDE Arbiter (FA), FIDE Senior Trainer (FST), FIDE Trainer (FT), etc.
Problem/solving titles: The World Federation for Chess Composition awards GM/IM/FM titles for composition and GM/IM/FM Solver titles for solving.
Online arena titles: The FIDE Online Arena offers digital “Arena” titles (AGM, AIM, AFM, ACM) based on online standard/rapid/blitz performance; these are distinct from over-the-board titles.

How Titles Are Earned

Norms and Ratings

For the highest titles (GM, IM and their women’s counterparts), players typically need:

Norms: Exceptional performances in eligible, FIDE-rated classical events against sufficiently strong and diverse opposition. A “norm” is a certified result meeting strict criteria (minimum number of titled/foreign opponents, event format, and performance rating requirements). See also norm.
Rating threshold: Crossing a specific Elo rating at some point (e.g., GM 2500, IM 2400; WGM 2300, WIM 2200). FM and WFM are usually tied to rating levels (e.g., FM 2300, WFM 2100), and CM/WCM to slightly lower thresholds (e.g., CM 2200, WCM 2000). See also rating and Elo.

Titles are normally lifelong once earned. In rare, exceptional circumstances involving fraud or fair-play violations, authorities may review and can sanction titles.

Strategic and Practical Significance

Career and Competitive Impact

Invitations and opportunities: Titles open doors to stronger round-robins, leagues, and team events, creating more chances to face elite opposition.
Psychology: Opponents often prepare more carefully against titled players; conversely, a titled player may enjoy increased confidence and prestige.
Coaching and professionalization: Titles help establish credibility for trainers and streamers, and can influence sponsorships and federation support.

Historical Notes

Origins and Evolution

1950: FIDE formally introduced the GM and IM titles, retrospectively honoring greats such as Emanuel Lasker and José Raúl Capablanca.
1976: Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title established.
1978: FIDE Master (FM) introduced.
2002: Candidate Master (CM) introduced.
Honorary titles: In special cases, FIDE has conferred “Honorary Grandmaster” to acknowledge distinguished careers that predated modern criteria.

Examples

Title Thresholds and Milestones

GM norm chase: A promising IM enters a 9-round closed GM-norm tournament and scores 7.0/9 against an average 2550 field in classical time control—meeting norm criteria. If they later cross 2500 Elo, they complete the GM title requirements.
FM/CM by rating: A junior peaks at 2312 FIDE rating in classical chess, securing FM; another reaches 2204 and becomes a CM.
Women’s titles: A WIM with strong results in open events earns her final IM norm and surpasses 2400, becoming an IM while also holding WIM.

Famous Titled Players and Records

Youngest GM record: Abhimanyu Mishra became the youngest GM in 2021 at 12 years and 4 months.
Trailblazers: Judit Polgár earned the GM title at 15 (1991), surpassing Bobby Fischer’s age record at the time; she later became the highest-rated woman in history.
World Champions: GM Garry Kasparov’s matches, such as Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, 1997, prominently featured the title in media coverage, underscoring its public recognition.

What It Looks Like in Pairings

Round 7: GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) 2830 vs. IM John Doe (USA) 2450
Board 3: WGM Aleksandra Goryachkina (FID) vs. GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (FID)

Interesting Facts and Anecdotes

Did You Know?

“Super GM” is an informal label for players typically rated 2700+.
Titles influence team composition: in Olympiad teams, being a GM/IM often determines board order and leadership roles.
Some players earn IM or even GM primarily via strong opens, while others rely on closed round-robins crafted for norm chances—so-called “norm tournaments.”
There have been “double-title” specialists who are both GM over-the-board and GM for chess composition or solving—different disciplines with their own title ladders.
Online-only “Arena” titles are separate from OTB titles; a player might be AFM online but untitled in OTB classical chess.