FIDE TITLE REGULATIONS (Approved by FIDE Council on 27/10/2021)

Applied from 1 January, 2022

0.       Introduction

0.1     Only the titles as in 0.3 are acknowledged by FIDE.  

0.2     The following regulations can only be altered by the FIDE Council following recommendation by the Qualification Commission (QC). For tournaments, such changes shall apply to those starting on or after the date on which they become effective.                              

0.3     FIDE titles for players are administered by the Qualification Commission, which is the final judging unit. The titles are for over-the-board standard chess (as defined in the Laws of Chess).

          Grandmaster (GM), International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), Woman FIDE Master (WFM), Woman Candidate Master (WCM).

0.4     The titles are valid for life from the date confirmed.

 0.4.1     Use of a FIDE title or rating to subvert the ethical principles of the title or rating system may subject a person to revocation of his title upon recommendation by the Qualification and Ethics Commissions and final action by FIDE Council.    

 0.4.2     A title can be used for results of opponents only in tournaments starting after its confirmation. (Exception: see 1.1.4).

 0.4.3     In terms of the age of achieving a title, the title is considered to be achieved when the last result is achieved, and the rating requirement is fulfilled, whichever date is later.

 0.4.4     In case it is found after a title has been awarded that the player was in breach of the Fair Play Regulations in one or more of the tournaments on which the title application was based, then the title may be removed by the Qualification Commission. The player or their federation may appeal this decision to FIDE Council within 30 days after they had been informed in writing.

0.5     Definitions

In the following text some special terms are used.

Rating performance is based on the player’s result and average rating of opponents (see 1.4.6 to 1.4.8).

Title performance is a result that gives a performance rating as defined in 1.46 to 1.49 against the minimum average of the opponents, for that title.

GM performance is ≥ 2600 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2380.

IM performance is ≥ 2450 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2230.

WGM performance is ≥ 2400 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2180.

WIM performance is ≥ 2250 performance against opponents with average rating ≥ 2030.

Title norm is a title performance fulfilling additional requirements concerning the mix of titled players and nationalities as specified in articles 1.42 to 1.45.

Direct title (automatic title) is a title gained by achieving a certain place or result in a tournament. On application by the player’s federation and confirmation by the Qualification Commission, such titles are awarded automatically by FIDE.   

0.6     The Award of Titles

0.6.1      Titles may be awarded for specific results in specific Championship events, or are awarded on achieving a rating as laid down in these regulations. Such titles are confirmed by the QC Chairman on advice from the FIDE Office. They are then awarded by FIDE.

0.6.2      For a direct title to be awarded immediately an applicant has to have achieved at some time a minimum rating as follows:

If an applicant is rated lower the title is awarded conditionally and will be awarded finally on request by the respective federation as soon as the minimum rating is achieved.  Any player with a conditional title may take a lower title when they reach the required rating for that lower title.

 0.6.3     Titles are also awarded based on applications with norms with a sufficient number of games. These titles shall be awarded by the FIDE Council on recommendation by the QC.

1.0     Requirements for titles designated in 0.3

1.1     Administration

 1.1.1     Play shall be governed by the FIDE Laws of Chess or the Regulations for Hybrid Chess Competitions (Part IIIb within the FIDE Online Chess Regulations).  Any change to the format of the tournament after it has started requires the approval of the QC Chairman. Tournaments where players have different conditions in terms of rounds and pairing are not valid. Unless with prior approval of the QC Chairman, the tournament must be registered at least 30 days in advance on the FIDE server.

 1.1.2     There must be no more than twelve hours play in one day. This is calculated based on games that last 60 moves, although games played using increments may last longer.

 1.1.3     No more than 2 rounds shall be played on any one day.

Each player must have at least two hours in which to complete all the moves, assuming the game lasts 60 moves.

1. In the application for the GM or WGM title based on norms, at least one norm shall be achieved in a tournament with only one round per day for a minimum of 3 days.
2. In any title tournament the time controls and clock settings for all games must be identical, except as defined in Guidelines III of the Laws of Chess or in the event of a re-pairing in the case of a default, with the agreement of both players. If the time control is increment based, all players must use increment; if delay based, all players must use delay; if no increment or delay is specified, then all players must compete with no increment and no delay. There can be no mixed use of clock settings (increment, delay, none at all).

1.1.4     In tournaments which last longer than 30 days, the opponents’ ratings and titles used shall be those applying when the games were played.

1.1.5     The Chief Arbiter of a title tournament shall be an International Arbiter (IA) or FIDE Arbiter (FA). An IA or FA must always be in the playing venue.

1.1.6     No appointed arbiter may play in a title tournament even just as a filler.

1.2    Titles achieved from International Championships:

1.2.1      As described below, a player may gain a title directly from some events, or a single title norm. The requirements in 1.4.2 - 1.4.9 do not apply. 

1.2.2      The minimum score is 35 % for all titles and norms. The result shown is the minimum required.

1.2.3      For continental, sub-continental or approved competitions of FIDE International Affiliates, a title or result can be achieved if at least one third or five of the appropriate member federations – whichever is lower – participate in the event.

The minimum number of participants in the event is ten.  The minimum number of rounds is nine. 

The World Championships (including U20) of the IBCA, ICSC and IPCA are exempted from this rule.

1. If groups are combined to make a bigger group, then the requirements (at least 10 participants from at least 5 federations) in 1.2.3 shall apply to this merged group. Titles can be awarded to the best player(s) of the subgroups, provided the subgroup has at least 6 participants from at least 3 federations and the player scores a minimum of 50% in played games over the full number of rounds.

1.2.4      Terms used in Tables for Direct Titles:

Gold = first after tiebreak

1st equal = best 3 players after tiebreak

norm = 9 games

Continental and Regional = Continental and a maximum 3 regional events per continent, and include Arab Youth. 

As above, each Continent is allowed to designate a maximum of 3 regional youth events for direct titles. The Continent must inform QC of any change in the composition of these regions before the beginning of each year.

Sub-Continentals - include Zonals, Sub-Zonals and Arab adult.

Zonals and Sub-Zonals are accepted for direct titles only if they establish qualifiers to the World Cup or World Championship.

1.3     Titles may be gained by achieving a published or interim rating at some time (see 1.53a).  For ratings achieved after 1st July 2017, the player must at that time have played at least 30 rated games:

1.3.1      FIDE Master ≥2300

1.3.2      Candidate Master ≥2200

1.3.3      Women FIDE Master ≥2100

1.3.4      Women Candidate Master ≥2000

1.4     The GM, IM, WGM, WIM titles can also be gained by achieving norms in FIDE rated tournaments played according to the following regulations.

1.4.1      The number of games

1. The player must play at least 9 games, however
2. only 7 games are required for 7 round World Team or Club and Continental Team or Club Championships,
   only 7 games are required for 8 or 9 round World Team or Club and Continental Team or Club Championships,
   only 8 games are required for the World Cup or Women`s World Cup, where these 8 game norms count as 9 games.
3. For a 9 round tournament, if a player has just 8 games because of a win by forfeit or a pairing allocated bye, but they have met the correct mix of opponents in those games, then if they have a title result in 8 games, it counts as a 9 game norm.  Only one such norm is allowed in any title application.
4. Where a player exceeds the norm requirements by one or more full points, then these full points count as additional number of games when computing the total number of games for the norm achieved.
5. In tournaments with pre-determined pairings, a norm must be based on all scheduled rounds.
   In other tournaments, a player who has achieved a title result at any time before the last round may ignore all games played subsequently, provided
   (1) they have met the required mix of opponents, and
   (2) this leaves them with at least the minimum number of games as in 1.4.1,
6. A player may ignore his game(s) against any opponents he has defeated, provided they have met the required mix of opponents, and provided that this leaves them with at least the minimum number of games as in 1.4.1, against the required mix of opponents. Nonetheless, the full cross-table of the event must be submitted.

1.4.2      The following are not included:

1. Games against opponents who do not belong to FIDE federations. Players with federation “FID” are accepted, but do not count as a foreign player.
2. Games against unrated players who score zero against rated opponents in round robin tournaments.
3. Games which are decided by forfeit, adjudication or any means other than over the board play. Other games, once started, shall be included. In the instance of a last round game where the opponent forfeits, the norm shall still count if the player must play in order to have the required number of games, but can afford to lose.
4. Tournaments in which changes are made which have the effect of benefitting one or more players (for example by altering the number of rounds, or the order of rounds, or providing particular opponents, not otherwise participating in the event).
5. The following formats may be used in title tournaments, whether for individuals or teams.
   Swiss  
   Round Robin
   Double Round Robin
   Scheveningen
   Schiller
   Knockout
   Other formats require the prior approval of the QC Chairman.

1.4.3      Federations of opponents

At least two federations other than that of the title applicant must be included, except 1.4.3a - 1.4.3d shall be exempt. Nevertheless, 1.43e shall apply.

1. The final stage of the national men’s (or open) championship and also national women’s championships. In the year when the Zonal or Sub-zonal tournament of a single federation is held, then the national championship is not exempt for that federation.  This exemption applies only to players from the federation which registers the event.
2. National team championships. This exemption applies only to players from the federation which registers the event.  Results from different divisions may not be combined.
3. Zonal and Sub-zonal tournaments.
4. Swiss System tournaments in which participants include in every round at least 20 FIDE rated players, not from the host federation, from at least 3 different federations, at least 10 of whom hold GM, IM, WGM or WIM titles.
   For this purpose, players will be counted only if they miss at most one round (excluding pairing allocated byes). Otherwise, 1.4.4 applies.
5. At least one of the norms has to be achieved under the normal foreigner requirement. (See 1.4.3 and 1.4.4)

1.4.4      A maximum of 3/5 of the opponents may come from the applicant’s federation and a maximum of 2/3 of the opponents from one federation. For exact numbers see the table in 1.7.2.

Opponents shall be calculated using rounding up (minimum) to the next whole number, to the next lower number (maximum).

1.4.5      Titles of opponents

1. At least 50% of the opponents shall be title-holders (TH) as in 0.31, excluding CM and WCM.
2. For a GM norm at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents must be GMs.
3. For an IM norm at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents must be IMs or GMs.
4. For a WGM norm at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents must be WGMs, IMs or GMs.
5. For a WIM norm at least 1/3 with a minimum 3 of the opponents must be WIMs, WGMs, IMs or GMs.
6. Double round-robin tournaments need a minimum of 6 players. An opponent’s title as in 1.4.5b-e shall be counted only once.

1.4.6      Rating of opponents

1. The Rating List in effect at the start of the tournament shall be used, see exception 1.1.4. The rating of players who belong to federations which are temporarily excluded when the tournament starts can be determined on application to the FIDE Office.
2. For the purposes of norms, the minimum rating (adjusted rating floor) for the opponents shall be as follows:

   Grandmaster norm	2200
   International Master norm	2050
   Woman Grandmaster norm	2000
   Woman International Master norm	1850

                           
3. No more than one opponent shall have their rating raised to this adjusted rating floor. Where more than one opponent is below the floor, the rating of the lowest rated opponent shall be raised.
4. Unrated opponents not covered by 1.4.6b shall be considered to be rated 1000.

 1.4.7     Rating average of opponents

1. This is the total of the opponents’ ratings divided by the number of opponents taking 1.4.6 into account.
2. Rounding of the rating average is made to the nearest whole number. The fraction 0.5 is rounded upward.

 1.4.8     Performance Rating (Rp)

              In order to achieve a norm, a player must perform at a level at least of that shown below:

Calculation of a Performance Rating (Rp):

Ra = rating average of opponents (see 1.4.7)

dp = rating difference from 1.4.9 below

Rp = Ra + dp

1. The minimum average ratings Ra of the opponents are as follows:
   GM 2380; IM 2230; WGM 2180; WIM 2030
2. The minimum score is 35% for all norms.

1.4.9      Table

All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.  0.5% is rounded up.

1.5     Requirements for award of the title, having achieved norms

1.5.1      Norms in events covering at least 27 games.

1.5.2      If a norm is sufficient for more than one title, then it may be used as part of the application for both.

1.5.3      To have achieved at some time a rating as follows:

GM ≥ 2500

IM ≥ 2400

WGM ≥ 2300

WIM ≥ 2200

1. Such a rating need not be published. It can be obtained in the middle of a rating period, or even in the middle of a tournament. The player may then disregard subsequent results for the purpose of their title application. However, the burden of proof then rests with the federation of the title applicant. Title applications based on unpublished ratings shall only be accepted by FIDE after agreement with the Rating Administrator and the QC. Ratings in the middle of a period can be confirmed only after all tournaments for that period have been received and rated by FIDE.

1.5.4       A title result shall be valid if it was obtained in accordance with the FIDE Title   Regulations prevailing at the time of the tournament when the norm was obtained.

1.5.5      Title norms gained before 01/07/2005 must have been registered with FIDE before 31/07/2013 or they will be considered to have expired.

1.5.6      Any title application containing a norm not achieved before 30/06/2022 must include at least one norm from an individual Swiss tournament with every round containing at least forty participants whose average rating is at least 2000.

For this purpose, players will be counted only if they miss at most one round (excluding pairing allocated byes).

1.6    Summary of Title Tournaments Requirements

In the case of any discrepancy, the regulations above shall take precedence.

1.7     Summary of Requirements for the Number of Opponents

Determining whether a result is adequate for a norm is dependent on the average rating of the opponents. Tables in the Annex show the range for tournaments up to 19 rounds. Norms achieved in a tournament with more than 13 rounds count only as 13 games.

1.8     Title Tournament Certificates

          The Chief Arbiter must prepare and sign a certificate of title results achieved, and send it to the Rating Officer of the Organising Federation. The Rating Officer or the President, having satisfied themselves that all of the information on the certificate is correct, shall countersign the certificate on behalf of the Organising Federation, and send fully signed copies to the player's Federation and to the FIDE Office and the Chief Arbiter.

1.9     Submission of Reports on Title Tournaments

          Such tournaments must be registered as in Rating Regulation 0.2.

1.9.1      Reports must include a PGN file containing:

• for Swiss and team tournaments, at least those games played by players who achieved title results,
• for other tournaments, all games.

1.10   Application Procedure for Players’ Titles

1.10.1    Registration of Direct Titles

The Chief Arbiter sends a report to the FIDE Office containing a list of direct titles earned. These include titles conditional on rating.  Following review by QC, the federations concerned are informed by the FIDE Office.

1.10.2    Registration of Titles by Rating

The Rating Officer of the player's federation sends a request to the FIDE Office, who confirm whether or not the title can be awarded.

1.10.3    Titles by application

The application must be sent and signed by the Rating Officer or President of the player’s federation.

All the certificates have to be signed by the Chief Arbiter of the tournament and by the Rating Officer or President of the federation responsible for the tournament.

1.10.4    If the player’s federation refuses to apply, the player can appeal to FIDE and apply (and pay) for the title.

2.       Application Forms for titles are annexed hereto

2.1     Applications for these titles must be prepared on these forms and all the information required supplied together with the application:

GM; IM; WGM; WIM - IT2, IT1s

2.2     Applications must be submitted to FIDE by the federation of the applicant. The national federation is responsible for the fee.

2.3     Title applications should be submitted at least 30 days before the meeting at which they are to be considered.  There is a 50% surcharge for applications to be considered in a shorter time-scale than this.

2.4     All applications together with full details must be posted on the FIDE website for a minimum of 30 days prior to finalisation. This is in order for any objections to be lodged.

3.       List of Application Forms

1.      Certificate of title result IT1.

2.      Title Application form IT2.

Annex

In the case of any discrepancy, the regulations above shall take precedence.

Available only for 7 to 9 round Continental and World Team Championships

Available only for 8 or 9 round Continental and World Team Championships;
or after 8 games in the World Cup or Women’s World Championship.
The latter two are counted as 9 rounds when computing to 27 games.

The material following refers to 9-19 rounds:

The exemptions described in 1.4.3 apply.

For 10 rounds or more it is possible that deleting a game that has been won could be advantageous.

SR refers to single round and DR to double round events.

SR refers to single round and DR to double round events.