Chess title

In 1950, FIDE created the titles "Grandmaster" and "International Master", the requirements for which were increasingly formalized over the years.

Strong players demonstrated their strength in play, and gained the informal reputation of being chess masters.

One of the most prestigious events of the time was the DSB Congress, first organised by the Deutscher Schachbund (German Chess Federation) in 1876.

National chess federations are free to set whatever standards they want for such titles, which are not recognized by FIDE.

Standards for "Master" titles in different countries vary, but are usually based on criteria such as achieving a certain rating (typically about 2200 Elo), achieving the required number of tournament performances ("norms") at a certain level, or featuring prominently in the country's national championship.

In some cases, it may extend to honorary titles awarded to (for example) prominent chess administrators, business patrons or politicians.

Only players who featured prominently in the Soviet Chess Championship were considered for the title, and fewer than 100 awards were made altogether.

Since 2008, USCF has also awarded Candidate Master titles to players that achieve five performance-based 'norms' in tournaments and also hold a rating above 2000.

There have been continuous adjustments to that system ever since, with the primary purpose of stabilizing the rating system against the forces of inflation and deflation, so that a chess expert today will be approximately the same strength as a chess expert was twenty or forty years ago.

This information stated here also applies in Canada,[10] under the auspices of the Canadian Federation of Chess (CFC), with one difference being that Class E encompasses all players rated under 1200.

[11] The USCF also awards the Life Master title to anyone who holds a 2200 rating for a total of 300 or more games in his or her lifetime.

[12] In August 2002, this position was codified (after being recognized as the existing status quo) by the USCF Policy Board with the passage of a motion stating "Any USCF member who has had a regular post tournament rating of 2200 or higher (published or not) has demonstrated a significant level of chess ability and is recognized by being automatically awarded the lifetime title of National Master."

The "class norm" system was later discontinued, and players who had or were subsequently granted the title on the 300-game basis were renamed "Original Life Masters."

[13] The English Chess Federation awards the title of National Master to players who achieve an ECF rating of 2200, standardplay.

[16] According to Australian chess player and arbiter Shaun Press, the requirements were changed to a rating-based system some time during the 1980s, but the title was not held in high regard and is no longer awarded.

Just as in over-the-board play, in problem chess the titles International Grandmaster, International Master and FIDE Master are awarded by FIDE via the PCCC (Permanent Commission for Chess Composition) for especially distinguished problem and study composers and solvers.

These albums are collections of the best problems and studies composed in a particular three-year period, as selected by FIDE-appointed judges.

GM and IM titles can only be gained by participating in the official World Chess Solving Championship (WCSC):[20] to become a GM, a solver must score at least 90 percent of the winner's points and on each occasion finish in at least tenth place three times within ten successive WCSCs.

For the IM title they must score at least 80 percent of the winner's points and each time finish in at least fifteenth place twice within five successive WCSCs; alternatively, winning a single WCSC or scoring as many points as the winner in a single WCSC will earn the IM title.