Grandmaster often shortened to GM or sometimes referred to as International Grandmaster IGM, this title is awarded by FIDE to the chess players who have a minimum Elo rating of 2500 at one time and three favorable results in international tournaments involving Grandmasters from other countries besides the applicant’s own.

There are also other milestones besides these, which a player might try to achieve to qualify for the title. After ‘World Champion’, ‘Grandmaster’ is the highest that FIDE offers.

After ‘Grandmaster’ comes the title of ‘International Master’ that all chess players aim to qualify for. Usually referred to as IM, both men and women can apply for this title. A player must have a minimum Elo rating of 2400 to qualify for this title.

After achieving the ‘IM’ title, the chess players move ahead to contest for the ‘GM’ title. However, the players contesting for the ‘IM’ should have excellent performance in the international tournaments.

All chess players who fall under the qualification norms for GM and IM are entitled to the title of chess FIDE Master. It is also referred to as FM. A player qualifying for the title of FIDE Master must have an Elo rating of more than 2300.

There are certain stages that a chess player must pass to contest for the title. These stages and the norms are decided by rating agencies. This is one of the prestigious titles a chess player can have.

It is the highest title a female chess player can have after the title of ‘Women’s World Champion’. Also referred to as WGM, it is only restricted to women.

This was introduced in the year 1977 to award the women chess players. The winner of the World Girls Junior Championship is entitled to the title of WGM.

The title of ‘Woman International Master’ or ‘WIM’ is awarded by FIDE to the women chess players having excellent performance in international tournaments.

This title was introduced in the year 1950. It is the highest title after WGM. All the runner-ups in the World Girls Junior Championship are awarded the title of Woman International Master.

The title of FIDE Woman Master, also known as WFM is awarded by FIDE to women chess players from all over the world who have excellent performances in international chess tournaments.

It is the lowest ranking title after Woman Grandmaster or WGM and Woman International Master or WIM.

The title ‘International Arbiter’ is awarded to chess players who are capable of being arbiters for important chess matches all over the world. Players having this title are responsible for maintaining the rules and laws of chess games that are being played under their arbitration. This title was introduced in the year 1951.

A player contesting for this title must have detailed knowledge of all rules and laws of chess, should have the ability to speak languages approved by FIDE and must have prior experience of judging chess matches. It has been noticed that in most of the cases, players who have made their careers in chess have later on moved ahead to contest for the title of ‘International Arbiter’.