Norm

A title norm is a tournament result that satisfies a complete set of requirements from FIDE, the International Chess Federation, on the path to Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM), or Woman International Master (WIM). One brilliant game or a particular raw score is not enough. The result must reach a minimum performance level, a number calculated from the score and the strength of the opponents, while also meeting conditions involving the opponents' ratings, titles, and national federations.

For example, a GM norm requires a higher performance level than an IM norm. The rules also specify how many opponents must hold certain titles, a minimum average rating for the opposition, and normally a minimum number of games. FIDE provides precise exceptions for some championships and formats, so the common phrase “a norm is nine games” is a useful rule of thumb rather than a universal definition.

To receive one of the norm-based titles, FIDE requires norms from events covering at least 27 games, together with the rating requirement for that title. This is why people commonly speak of “three norms,” reflecting three nine-game performances, while the formal rule is expressed in the total number of games covered.