Norm (chess)


A norm in chess is a high level of performance in a chess tournament. Several norms are one of the requirements to receive a title such as Grandmaster from FIDE.

Grandmaster norm

To qualify for the title of Grandmaster of chess, a title awarded by FIDE, the World Chess Federation, a player must achieve three grandmaster norms in events covering a minimum of 27 games. Norms can only be gained in tournaments that fulfill FIDE's strict criteria; for instance, the entry must include at least three GM titled players from different countries playing over a minimum of nine rounds with not less than 120 minutes thinking time per round. There are a number of other more minor stipulations, such as that an International Arbiter must be officiating the event.
The norm seeker must achieve a tournament performance rating of at least 2600 to qualify.
FIDE publishes the current title regulations on its website.

Other FIDE norms

There are also less strict norm requirements for the titles of International Master, Woman International Master, and Woman Grandmaster

In national organizations

In March 2009, the United States Chess Federation introduced its own title system. This system requires five norms in order to achieve titles at seven different levels, ranking from "Life Senior Master" down to "4th category". The requirements for these norms are less strict as those for FIDE norms.