How does one become a Chess Master?
There are three main official master titles awarded by FIDE, the international chess federation: FIDE master – you have to achieve a FIDE rating of 2300. Ratings are given and changed when you compete in FIDE rated tournaments (most major tournaments in the world). The rating you get is determined by your score in the tournament and the ratings of your opponents. International Master – a higher award. You must gain a number of “norms” (at the moment I believe it is 3) by performing in tournaments at a certain level. E.g. a tournament may have an IM norm of 6.5 out of 10, based on the strength of the players in the tourney. If you score 6.5 points or more, you get a norm. You also need to have a rating of 2400 as well. International Grandmaster – the highest master award. Gained the same way as for IM but the requires score for a GM norm is greater. In that tournament you may need to score say 8/10 to gain a GM norm. There are a few other ways – e.g. if you win a zonal tournament (quali
