International Master

The International Master (IM) title is one of the major player titles awarded by FIDE, the International Chess Federation, and it is open to any player. In the open title hierarchy it sits below Grandmaster (GM) and above FIDE Master (FM) and Candidate Master (CM).

The standard route combines norms, meaning tournament performances subject to special conditions, with a minimum rating, a number used to estimate competitive playing strength. An IM norm requires a calculated performance of at least 2450 and an adjusted average opponent rating of at least 2230. At least one third of the opponents, with a minimum of three, must be IMs or GMs. Further conditions apply to the proportion of titled opponents and the national federations represented. To receive the title through norms, the norms must cover at least 27 games and the player must at some point have reached a 2400 rating.

FIDE can also award the IM title directly for particular results in specified official championships. That route is distinct from the normal norm route: the qualifying result and any applicable minimum rating are defined by the rules for direct titles.