FIDE Titles Requirements

Official chess titles awarded by FIDE and how to achieve them

About FIDE Titles

FIDE awards several titles to chess players based on their performance in tournaments. These titles are prestigious recognitions of a player's skill and achievement in competitive chess.

At SPM Chess Academy, we've helped numerous students achieve their FIDE title goals through our specialized training programs and tournament preparation courses.

Title Requirements

Below are the requirements for the most common FIDE titles. All titles require achieving a specific rating and performance in tournaments with titled players.

GM Grandmaster

  • 2500+ FIDE Rating
  • 3 GM norms (performance in tournaments)
  • Minimum 24 games vs GMs
  • World's highest chess title

IM International Master

  • 2400+ FIDE Rating
  • 3 IM norms
  • Minimum 27 games vs IMs/GMs
  • Step below Grandmaster

FM FIDE Master

  • 2300+ FIDE Rating
  • No norms required
  • Title awarded automatically
  • First major FIDE title

CM Candidate Master

  • 2200+ FIDE Rating
  • No norms required
  • Entry-level FIDE title
  • First step to higher titles

WGM Woman Grandmaster

  • 2300+ FIDE Rating
  • 3 WGM norms
  • Women-only title
  • Equivalent to IM strength

WIM Woman International Master

  • 2200+ FIDE Rating
  • 3 WIM norms
  • Women-only title
  • Equivalent to FM strength

Note About Norms

A "norm" is a high-level performance in a tournament that meets specific criteria regarding the strength of opponents and the tournament conditions. Typically, you need to score about 70% against opponents with an average rating of 2380+ for a GM norm or 2230+ for an IM norm.

Title Achievement Path

Here's the typical progression path for aspiring titled players:

1
Beginner
2
Club Player
3
Candidate Master (CM)
4
FIDE Master (FM)
5
International Master (IM)
6
Grandmaster (GM)

Our academy offers specialized training programs for each stage of this journey, with personalized coaching to help you reach your title goals.

Explore Title Programs

How We Can Help

At SPM Chess Academy, we provide comprehensive support for players aiming for FIDE titles:

Success Stories

Our students have achieved remarkable success, with 12 FIDE Masters, 5 International Masters, and 1 Grandmaster produced since our founding. We're proud to help young talents reach their full potential in competitive chess.

Meet Our Champions