Chess titles
You've probably noticed some accounts on Chess.com with red boxes next to their names containing letters like GM, IM, WFM, etc. These are FIDE titles, and players with FIDE titles can have them added to their accounts:
If you already have one of these titles from FIDE, fill out our Titled Player Identification Form to get it added to your Chess.com account!
How to earn a chess title
Fide titles
All the titles listed below are open to men and women. Separate women-only titles, such as Woman Grandmaster (WGM), are also available.
Title
|
Requirements |
Grandmaster (GM)
|
|
International Master (IM) |
|
FIDE Master (FM) |
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Candidate Master (CM) |
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There are also other milestones a player can achieve to attain the title, such as winning the World Junior Championship.
Check out this article to learn how to earn these titles: How To Become A Chess Grandmaster
National Master (NM) title
The National Master (NM) title is not a FIDE title and is not awarded by every chess federation. Each federation that grants this title has its own qualification criteria:
Federation
|
Requirements |
U.S Chess Federation (USCF) | Awards the NM title for life to players who achieve a 2200 rating. |
English Chess Federation (ECF) | Grants the title to players who reach a 200 ECF grade (roughly equivalent to a 2250 rating). |
Chess Federation of Canada | Requires players to reach a 2200 national rating and achieve three norms (tournament performances of 2300+). |
New Zealand Chess Federation | Uses a points-based system in national tournaments and other events. Players earn the title by accumulating 100 points, though only a few have reached this milestone. |
Some other federations previously awarded their own master titles but have since discontinued them for various reasons.
Check out this article to learn more about National Masters: National Master (NM)