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Chess is one of the oldest board games that reportedly dates back to 600 A.D. regardless of your level of expertise. While everyone has heard the word “grandmaster,” what exactly does the term “international master” (IM) mean? How may one become qualified for this title? Who offers it? Let’s cover every one of these concerns and more.
It might be tough to keep track of the meanings of all the chess terms that are used. What makes a Grandmaster, an International Master in Chess, and a GM International Master?
Whatever your skill level, let’s explore the differences between Chess IM and GM to help you enjoy and understand the game more.
Who Is An International Master?
The International Master (IM) title is one of the highest titles a chess player can achieve; once achieved, it is held for life. It ranks just below the titles of world champion and grandmaster. The International Chess Federation, or FIDE, gives it.
IMs are highly talented chess players, while the most gifted players have to win challenging matches to claim the title. For classical FIDE ratings, IMs are often rated between 2400 and 2500.
IMs join several high-profile competitions, including online, closed norm, and open tournaments.
How Can One Get The Title of International Master?
The first IM titles were given out in 1950, and throughout time, the requirements to become an IM have grown. A player who obtains three IM norms and a 2400 FIDE classical (or “standard”) rating is currently recognized by FIDE as an IM.
Every IM norm is very hard to achieve, and there are many rules regulating what qualifies as a norm. For one norm, you need a 2450+ performance rating in a nine-round FIDE tournament, and several of your opponents need to be titled and from different federations or nations than your own. You may find more regulations and restrictions in the FIDE manual.
Only 3,800 IMs were active as of 2020, just a fraction of the millions of chess players worldwide. IM Abhimanyu Mishra now holds the record for being the youngest IM, having achieved the title at the age of ten years, nine months, and three days. In the chess community, there are a lot of well-known IMs, but maybe none more well-known than our very own IM, Danny Rensch!
Grandmaster
The highest title granted by the FIDE is Grandmaster. Once you get this title, you won’t be able to lose it forever unless you cheat.
In the game of chess, the total number of points gained in tournament play is the main distinction between an IM and a GM. A player needs to get at least a 2500 FIDE rating to become a General Manager. In addition, to qualify, the player needs to complete 27 games or three GM norms.
A general manager’s score can fall below 2500 in a tournament. To keep this title, they do not need to maintain a score of 2500 during their career. The positive outcomes are added up and utilized to maintain the GM classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even more so than Grandmaster, the title of World Champion is seen as the height of chess player success. It isn’t a title that the FIDE has officially granted, though. By winning the World Chess Championship, a player can achieve the greatest level of success possible.
Yes, International Masters can beat Grandmasters. Most people believe that GMs are better players than IMs. But in numerous high-profile matches in the past, such as the World Chess Championship, an IM won over a GM.
In addition to skill, several other factors including anxiety, psychological warfare, and tournament collapse all play a part in making it possible.
No, a high IQ is not necessary to be a successful chess player. While a high IQ can be helpful, study and practice are other important aspects that determine your chess competence.
Moreover, your chess skills are greatly influenced by mental abilities you develop throughout training, such as pattern recognition and visualization.