Chess master
Chess master is the name for a strong chess player . It is not an official title. In the early years of the sport of chess, strong chess players often adorned themselves with terms such as "chess master" or "chess grandmaster". National (or regional) associations also award championship ranks according to many different criteria. This is based on the performance of a player in tournaments and competitions.
With the introduction of the Grand Master's title by the World Chess Federation FIDE in 1950, the first standardized and internationally recognized title was created. Some players received this award in recognition of their previous achievements. Otherwise, the qualification for a candidate tournament was decisive. Later, other honorary titles were gradually added (international master, FIDE master ...), with the grand master title still being the highest title. In addition, the criteria for achieving a title have been extended and specified to other tournaments. In order to become a Grandmaster and International Master, it is necessary to achieve so-called norms. H. the successful performance in particularly strong international tournaments. The strength of the starting field will be here by the Elo objectively calculated -numbers of the participating players. Corresponding regulations apply to the other championship titles.
Championship titles are awarded for life by FIDE. This means that a player retains his title even if his skill level drops significantly with age. However, a championship title can also be withdrawn by a resolution of FIDE, e.g. B. if there is grossly unsportsmanlike conduct. For example, the Czech-Latvian chess player Igors Rausis was caught using his smartphone as a prohibited electronic aid during tournament games. As a result, the FIDE ethics committee withdrew all championship titles as part of the sanction in November 2019.
A distinction must be made between these purely honorary designations and competition titles that are won by winning a championship (such as the world championship title). As in other sports, these titles may only be worn by the current title holder, i.e. the winner of the last championship.
The term “super grandmaster” is an unofficial title for which there is no precise definition. Mostly one understands by it the players of the absolute world class, so z. B. All players with an Elo rating of more than 2700.
In a chess context, the master's title is used as an addition to a name, similar to the doctorate in an academic context, e.g. B. GM Carlsen. The highest-ranking title replaces all previously acquired championship titles.
Championship titles are equally open to players, although the vast majority of the titleholders are male players. Famous chess players who have the title of grandmaster are e.g. B. Judit Polgar or Hou Yifan . In addition, there are also championship titles specifically for women, who, however, have lower requirements for title acquisition and are therefore less prestigious.
In correspondence chess , there are similar title.
Master title for chess players
| Abbreviation | title | criteria |
|---|---|---|
| GM | Grandmaster | two norms of 2600+ |
| IN THE | International master | two norms of 2450+ |
| FM | FIDE master | Reached Elo 2300 |
| CM | Master candidate, Candidate Master | Reached Elo 2200 |
The GM title used to be called IGM (International Grand Master).
(Regardless of this, there are other options for acquiring the IM, FM or CM title. The GM title is also awarded to the women's world champion.)
Champion title for female chess players
| Abbreviation | title | criteria |
|---|---|---|
| WGM | Grand Master of Women, Woman Grandmaster | two norms of 2400+ |
| WIM | International Master of Women, Woman International Master | two norms of 2250+ |
| WFM | FIDE champion of women, Woman FIDE Master | Reached Elo 2100 |
| WCM | Master candidate of women, Woman Candidate Master | Reached Elo 2000 |
(Regardless of this, there are other options for acquiring the WIM, WFM or WCM title.)