How to get chess title

Chess players can obtain various titles from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) through different methods. Here's a comprehensive overview of how to obtain each title:

Men chess titles

Men's chess titles hierarchy

Grandmaster (GM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2500 or higher; earn three GM norms in tournaments covering at least 27 games; alternative paths include reaching the final 16 in the FIDE World Cup, winning the World Junior Championship (U20), winning the World Senior Championship (50+ or 65+ divisions), or winning a Continental championship.

International Master (IM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2400 or higher; earn three IM norms over 27 or more games; alternative paths include qualifying for the FIDE World Cup, finishing second or third in the World Junior Championship (U20) or World Senior Championship, winning a World Youth Championship (U18 or U16 outright), finishing second or third in a Continental championship, or winning a Continental/sub-Continental championship.

FIDE Master (FM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2300 or higher; no norms are required.

Candidate Master (CM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2200 or higher; no norms are required; alternative paths for players rated 2000–2199 include finishing in the top three in World Youth Championships (U8 or U10), finishing second or third in Continental U12, U14, or U16 championships, or scoring 50% over at least 7 games at an Olympiad.

Women chess titles

Women's chess titles hierarchy

Woman Grandmaster (WGM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2300 or higher; earn three WGM norms in international competition.

Woman International Master (WIM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2200 or higher; earn three WIM norms in international competition.

Woman FIDE Master (WFM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2100 or higher; no norms are required.

Woman Candidate Master (WCM)

Achieve a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher; no norms are required.

It's important to note that for GM, IM, WGM, and WIM titles, players must achieve both the required rating and norms. For FM, CM, WFM, and WCM titles, only the rating requirement needs to be met. Additionally, FIDE may award titles directly in certain high-level tournaments or championships even if the usual requirements are not fully met.