WGM - Woman Grandmaster (FIDE)

WGM

Definition

WGM stands for Woman Grandmaster, a lifetime title awarded by FIDE (the International Chess Federation). It is the highest women-only title, positioned above WIM (Woman International Master). While reserved for women, it sits below the open titles IM (International Master) and GM (Grandmaster) in terms of typical rating threshold and norm difficulty.

Usage

In pairings, event reports, and broadcasts, the title appears as a prefix to a player’s name (for example, “WGM Alexandra Kosteniuk”). Many players hold multiple titles; a woman may simultaneously be WGM and IM or GM. In print and on rating lists, the highest title is normally used first (e.g., “GM Hou Yifan”), but WGM remains part of the player’s official title history.

Women can earn both women-only titles (WIM, WGM) and open titles (FM, IM, GM); the systems are parallel, not mutually exclusive. See also: GM, IM, WIM.
WGM status can help with invitations to elite women’s events, national team selection (e.g., Chess Olympiad women’s teams), and seeding in championships.
The title is for life; it does not expire even if a player’s rating later drops.

How the Title Is Earned

There are two main routes to WGM:

Norm + rating route:
- Earn three WGM norms in FIDE-rated events that meet norm criteria (minimum rounds, titled/foreign opponents, arbiter standards).
- Reach a published FIDE classical rating of at least 2300 at some point.
- WGM norms typically require a performance rating around 2400 for the event, against a sufficiently strong and international field. See: norm.
Direct title route:
- Certain exceptional results in designated events grant the WGM title directly (for example, winning the World Girls U20 Championship under current FIDE Title Regulations). Details can change with regulation updates.

Strategic and Practical Significance

While a title does not change how pieces move, it influences a chess career:

Access and invitations: WGMs often receive invitations to closed women’s round-robins and national team training, accelerating development.
Competitive goals: For many rising talents, WGM is a stepping stone toward IM and GM. The norm process builds experience against stronger opposition.
Team boards: At Olympiads and club leagues, WGM title-holders commonly anchor top boards for women’s squads, shaping match strategy and board orders.

Historical Notes

FIDE introduced WIM in 1950 and WGM in 1976, formalizing recognition for elite women competitors. Earlier legends such as Vera Menchik (Women’s World Champion, 1927–1944) predated the title and are often cited when discussing the historical growth of women’s titles. The title’s creation paralleled the rapid rise of women’s chess in the late 20th century, with players from the Soviet school and later China and India expanding the field.

Nona Gaprindashvili and Maia Chiburdanidze were among the early iconic women’s world champions who set standards that later generations pursued; Gaprindashvili also became the first woman to earn the open GM title (1978).
The “Gaprindashvili Cup” at Chess Olympiads (for combined open and women’s team results) is named in her honor, underscoring the title’s historical footprint.

Examples and Notable WGMs

Many eminent women have held the WGM title on their way to even higher milestones:

Hou Yifan — Multiple-time Women’s World Champion; later achieved the open GM title. Known for universal style and excellent opening preparation.
Alexandra Kosteniuk — Women’s World Champion (2008), also an open GM; celebrated for dynamic attacking play and endgame technique.
Koneru Humpy — One of India’s greatest, open GM and Women’s World Rapid Champion (2019); renowned for principled, strategic openings.
Pia Cramling — Early pioneer who earned the open GM title and competed successfully in top open events.
Irina Krush — Longtime U.S. Women’s Champion, IM and WGM, known for resourceful calculation and competitive resilience.
Ju Wenjun — Multiple-time Women’s World Champion, open GM; outstanding in technical positions and match play.

Illustrative fragment (typical of WGM-level preparation in the Najdorf Sicilian, not from a specific single game):

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 — White prepares for a queenside space grab with Be3, f3, Qd2, and long castling, while Black eyes ...e5 and counterplay on the c-file. Plans and move orders here often decide entire match strategies in women’s world championship play.

You can step through an illustrative line here:

Interesting Facts

Title stacking: It’s common to see “WGM/IM” before a name in broadcasts, reflecting both women-only and open titles.
Rating reality: The WGM rating threshold of 2300 is the same as FM’s rating requirement, but WGM additionally demands norms against strong, international opposition—so it’s typically considered between FM and IM in difficulty.
Direct titles: Some youth and continental women’s results can award WGM directly under FIDE’s “direct titles” list, fast-tracking exceptional talents.

Common Misconceptions

“WGM equals GM.” — Incorrect. WGM is the top women-only title; GM is an open title with significantly higher rating and norm standards.
“A woman must get WGM before IM/GM.” — No. Women can skip women-only titles entirely and pursue IM/GM directly.
“WGM limits where you can play.” — No. Titles do not restrict event eligibility; women routinely play in open tournaments.

Where It Shows Up in Practice

You’ll see WGM titles:

In Olympiad team lists (e.g., “Board 1: WGM …”).
In round-robin invitations and title norm announcements (“WGM norm performance: 2403”).
In pairings and result sheets, often alongside federation flags and ratings.