FIDE chess titles
FIDE awards a chess title in one of two ways. A rating alone earns the FIDE Master title at 2300 B01 1.3 and the Candidate Master title at 2200 B01 1.3. Norms in tournaments plus a rating earn the Grandmaster title at 2500 B01 1.5.3, the International Master title at 2400 B01 1.5.3, the Woman Grandmaster title at 2300 B01 1.5.3 and the Woman International Master title at 2200 B01 1.5.3. Each title is valid for life.
Which FIDE titles can I work toward?
The six guides below cover the titles a player can earn from a rating or from norms. Each one lists every requirement with its Handbook clause.
| Title | How it is earned | Rating you must have reached | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmaster | Norms plus a rating | 2500 B01 1.5.3 | 27 games across the norms B01 1.5.1 |
| International Master | Norms plus a rating | 2400 B01 1.5.3 | 27 games across the norms B01 1.5.1 |
| FIDE Master | A rating alone | 2300 B01 1.3 | 30 rated games B01 1.3 |
| Candidate Master | A rating alone | 2200 B01 1.3 | 30 rated games B01 1.3 |
| Woman Grandmaster | Norms plus a rating | 2300 B01 1.5.3 | 27 games across the norms B01 1.5.1 |
| Woman International Master | Norms plus a rating | 2200 B01 1.5.3 | 27 games across the norms B01 1.5.1 |
Where do I check my own numbers?
- Chess title requirements checker: your rating, norms and games against the requirement for a title.
- Chess title norm calculator: one tournament against the norm rules.
- Chess performance rating calculator: the performance rating behind a result.
- How to get a FIDE rating: the first step before any title.
- Chess ratings explained: how FIDE, Lichess, US Chess and chess.com ratings differ.
Frequently asked questions
Which FIDE titles can I earn with a rating alone?
A rating alone earns the FIDE Master title at 2300 B01 1.3 and the Candidate Master title at 2200 B01 1.3, each with at least 30 rated games B01 1.3 behind a rating reached after 2017-07-01. The guides above list the full rule for each.
Which titles need norms?
The International Master, Grandmaster, Woman International Master and Woman Grandmaster titles need norms that together cover at least 27 games B01 1.5.1, plus a rating reached at some time.
Do FIDE titles expire?
No. A FIDE title is valid for life (B01 0.4).
Do online games count toward a FIDE title?
Titles rest on over-the-board play at the standard time control (B01 0.3). Rapid, blitz and online results do not earn norms.
Checked against the FIDE Handbook edition dated 1 January 2024 on 2026-10-19.
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