International Master norm
An International Master norm is a title performance of at least 2450 against opponents averaging at least 2230, achieved in an event that satisfies the title rules on administration and opponent mix.
Also called: IM norm
An International Master norm follows the same template as a Grandmaster norm with lower numbers. The performance rating must be at least 2450, the opponents must average at least 2230, and you must score at least 35 percent over at least nine games. Titles matter as well: half the field must carry one, and the IMs and GMs among the opponents must number a third of them, never fewer than three.
The opponent rating floor is 2050, applied only to the lowest rated opponent, and unrated opponents count as 1400. Two federations other than your own must appear, with the usual caps on opponents from a single federation. The event must also meet the administrative rules: registration on the FIDE server at least 30 days ahead, a chief arbiter who holds an International Arbiter or FIDE Arbiter title, and no more than two rounds a day.
One norm leaves you short, because the title also asks for 27 games across the norms and a peak rating of 2400. See norm, Grandmaster norm and International Master.
It sits close to Norm tournament. A norm tournament is an event organized with the conditions that let players score a title norm, such as the right mix of opponents, enough rounds and a qualified arbiter.
Rating and title terms like "International Master norm" matter once you know your next step, and the improvement plans by rating band set out a weekly routine for each rating range.
Related terms
A norm is a tournament result that meets the FIDE title standard for performance rating and opponent mix; several norms across enough games can earn a title, but one norm alone does not.
A Grandmaster norm is a title performance of at least 2600 against opponents averaging at least 2380, in a qualifying event that meets the FIDE rules on opponent mix.
International Master is the second-highest FIDE open title, below Grandmaster, earned through IM norms and a rating of at least 2400 reached at some time, or through certain event results.
A title application is the formal request, made through a player's federation, for FIDE to confirm a title on the strength of norms, a rating level or a direct result.
A rating performance is the rating a player seems to have played at in one event, found by adding a score-based adjustment to the average rating of their opponents.
Guides that go further
How the Candidate Master, FIDE Master, International Master and Grandmaster titles are earned, with every Handbook clause.
Check one tournament against the FIDE norm rules, with every Handbook clause.
The Handbook rules for a first FIDE rating: five rated games, the 1400 floor, the two 1800 draws and a worked example.
Sources
- FIDE Handbook B.01 FIDE Title Regulations, effective 1 January 2024, Clauses 0.5, 1.4.5, 1.4.6 and 1.4.8, read Oct 21, 2026.
- FIDE Handbook B.01 FIDE Title Regulations, effective 1 January 2024, Clauses 1.1.1, 1.1.3 and 1.1.5, read Oct 21, 2026.
- FIDE Handbook B.01 FIDE Title Regulations, effective 1 January 2024, Clauses 1.5.1 and 1.5.3, read Oct 21, 2026.
Want to spot this in your own games?
A first lesson starts with your games: George reviews them and builds a study plan around what he finds.