Grandmaster

The Grandmaster (GM) title recognizes an exceptionally high level of competitive chess. It is awarded by FIDE, the International Chess Federation, and it is an open title, so any player can earn it by meeting the requirements. In FIDE's open series of player titles, it stands above International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), and Candidate Master (CM).

The usual route combines norms, meaning tournament performances that meet special conditions, with a sufficient rating, a number used to estimate competitive playing strength. A GM norm requires a calculated performance of at least 2600 and an adjusted average opponent rating of at least 2380. At least one third of the opponents, with a minimum of three, must be GMs, and additional rules govern the opponents' titles and national federations. For the title, the norms must cover at least 27 games and the player must at some point have reached a rating of 2500.

The norm route is not the only route. FIDE also grants direct titles for specified results in championships listed in its current direct-title table. In the 2026 table, for example, reaching the last 16 of the World Cup earns the GM title. Such awards follow their own conditions and can be subject to a minimum rating.