All FIDE Titles Explained – From Candidate Master to Grandmaster
If you've ever wondered what those abbreviations like GM, IM, or FM really mean – and how to actually get them – this guide is for you. As someone who loves chess and follows top players, I wanted to break down the official FIDE titles in a way that’s clear, simple, and helpful for everyone, whether you're just starting out or already dreaming of norms.
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Open Titles (Available for All Players)
CM – Candidate Master: Requires a FIDE rating of 2200.
FM – FIDE Master: Requires 2300.
IM – International Master: Requires 2400 plus 3 IM norms.
GM – Grandmaster: The highest title. Requires 2500 and 3 GM norms.
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Women’s Titles (With Slightly Lower Requirements)
WCM – Woman Candidate Master: 2000 Elo
WFM – Woman FIDE Master: 2100 Elo
WIM – Woman International Master: 2200 + norms
WGM – Woman Grandmaster: 2300 + norms
> Women can also earn open titles like IM and GM – and many do!
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So What Are Norms Anyway?
A norm is a high-level performance in a FIDE-rated tournament under strict conditions:
Minimum number of rounds
Mix of titled/international players
Minimum average opponent rating
To become a GM, for example, you’ll need three separate GM norms from different tournaments plus a FIDE rating of 2500+ (even if only for a day).
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Other FIDE Titles You Might Not Know
FIDE doesn’t just award titles to players. You can also earn titles as an organizer, trainer, or arbiter:
IA – International Arbiter
FA – FIDE Arbiter
FI – FIDE Instructor
FT – FIDE Trainer
IO – International Organizer
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Cool Facts (As of 2025)
Youngest Grandmaster ever?
It’s still Abhimanyu Mishra, who became a GM at just 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days back in 2021.
Gukesh D. came super close in 2019 (12 years, 7 months, 17 days) but didn’t quite beat the record.
Sergey Karjakin’s previous record (12 years, 7 months) now ranks third.
Number of Grandmasters in 2025? Just over 1,900 worldwide – and growing every year.
Strongest FM? Some FIDE Masters play at IM or even GM level but never applied for the title. It happens more often than you think!
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Final Thoughts
FIDE titles are amazing goals, and reaching one is a big deal – but they’re not everything. Improving your play, enjoying the game, and learning something new every day are just as important.
Personally, I’m working toward getting stronger every year – and maybe even aiming for Candidate Master someday. What about you? Are you chasing a title?
Let me know in the comments!
