Ratings and titles

A numerical system that estimates competitive strength from a player's results against rated opponents.

Performance rating estimates the rating level represented by a player's result in a specific set of games against opponents of a given strength.

A live rating is an in-period estimate that incorporates recent results before those changes appear on the next official published rating list.

A provisional rating is a temporary strength figure used before an official or established rating exists, but its exact meaning depends on the system using the term.

The first playing-strength number that FIDE officially publishes for a previously unrated player.

A player who has no published rating on the particular list and time control used for the competition.

A player who keeps a FIDE rating but has played no rated games for one year.

A lower limit that a rating system places on a rating or uses as a minimum value for a specific calculation.

The multiplier controlling how much a FIDE rating changes when actual results differ from expected results.

The fraction of a point the rating system expects a player to score from a given rating difference.

The recurring publication that establishes FIDE's official ratings and replaces the preceding list.

The interval during which an official rating list is valid and whose accepted results feed the next list.

A FIDE ID, or FIN, is the unique number identifying a player registered by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Grandmaster, or GM, is the highest player title in the open over-the-board series of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

International Master, or IM, is an open International Chess Federation (FIDE) title below Grandmaster and above FIDE Master.

FIDE Master, or FM, is an open over-the-board title of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), positioned between International Master and Candidate Master.

Candidate Master, or CM, is the entry title in the open over-the-board player-title series of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Woman Grandmaster, or WGM, is a women's title of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) with requirements separate from the open Grandmaster title.

Woman International Master, or WIM, is a women's title of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), positioned between Woman Grandmaster and Woman FIDE Master.

Woman FIDE Master, or WFM, is a women's title of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) whose ordinary rating threshold is 2100.

Woman Candidate Master, or WCM, is the entry-level title in the women's title series of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Arena Grandmaster, or AGM, is the highest lower-rating-band online title of FIDE Online Arena, recognized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

An official FIDE Online Arena title earned by maintaining an online rating of at least 1700 for a required number of games.

An official FIDE Online Arena title earned by maintaining an online rating of at least 1400 for a required number of games.

An official FIDE Online Arena title earned by maintaining an online rating of at least 1100 for a required number of games.

ICCF's highest player title for elite achievement in international correspondence chess.

A permanent ICCF title placed between International Master and Grandmaster in correspondence chess.

A permanent ICCF international player title for strong results in correspondence chess.

An ICCF international title for players who achieve master-level results in correspondence chess.

An international player title awarded by ICCF for regulated results in correspondence chess.

A norm is a tournament performance meeting the performance and opposition requirements of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for a specific title.

A GM norm is a performance satisfying the International Chess Federation (FIDE) requirements used on the path to the Grandmaster title.

An IM norm is a performance satisfying the International Chess Federation (FIDE) requirements used on the path to the International Master title.

A tournament result that satisfies FIDE's conditions to count toward the women-specific Woman Grandmaster title.

A tournament result that satisfies FIDE's conditions to count toward the women-specific Woman International Master title.

A direct title is a title that the International Chess Federation (FIDE) awards for a specified result in a recognized competition.

A title application is the administrative process for submitting to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) the evidence needed to approve or register a title.

A FIDE trainer title with an associated license, focused on teaching children and adults who are starting chess.

An official FIDE title for trainers who develop players toward national and international youth competition.

A FIDE trainer title with an associated license for developing intermediate and advanced players toward organized competition.

An official title for coaches able to prepare advanced players for international competitions, title norms, and championships.

FIDE's highest trainer title, reserved for an extraordinary and sustained contribution to high-level chess.

The first FIDE organizer title for people with demonstrated experience running standard rated chess tournaments.

A FIDE title for organizers with broad international experience and specific preparation to direct high-level official events.

FIDE's highest organizer title, awarded for an exceptional record directing major official chess competitions.