FIDE titles
Chess titles are official designations awarded by FIDE (the International Chess Federation) to recognize a player's skill level and achievements in chess. These titles are earned through success in official tournaments and represent significant milestones in a player's chess career.
You can identify a titled player by the red square next to their username:
Titles recognized by Chess.com
The titles that Chess.com acknowledges are listed below:
Title |
Title name
|
GM | Grandmaster |
WGM | Woman Grandmaster |
IM | International Master |
WIM | Woman International Master |
FM | FIDE Master |
NM | National Master |
WNM | Woman National Master |
CM | FIDE Candidate Master |
WFM | Woman FIDE Master |
WCM | Woman FIDE Candidate Master |
Earning these titles generally involves a long process of consistent success in chess tournaments. Players must achieve specific performance criteria set by FIDE, such as reaching a certain rating or winning against other titled players in official competitions.
Check out this article to learn how to earn a chess title: How do I get a chess title (Grandmaster, IM, etc)?