Unlocking the Secrets: How to Master Chess Norms

Chess norms play a crucial role in the world of competitive chess, serving as a benchmark for players to achieve certain levels of performance and skill.

We will explore the significance of chess norms, how they can be obtained through FIDE-rated tournaments and specific performance criteria, and the different types of norms such as Grandmaster, International Master, FIDE Master, and Candidate Master norms.

Delve into the requirements for each type of norm and how many norms are needed to achieve the prestigious title of Grandmaster. Discuss what happens after a player successfully attains a norm.

If you’re curious about the world of chess norms and how they impact the game, read on to learn more!

What Are Chess Norms?

Chess norms are achievements that qualify an individual to become a chess grandmaster, international master, or master.

To get norms in chess, one must participate in FIDE tournaments or similar international organizations on the regional or national level, depending on the size and scope of the chess program in a specific country. These tournaments provide the structure and tiered competition of a pyramid. Success here allows individuals to gradually reach the top and qualify for the grandmaster, international master, or master designation.

All grandmasters and international masters continue to be active chess players. Even if they reach an established rank and may retire from tournament play, they still participate in chess by analyzing positions, coaching, and playing casual games. Norms are designed for all levels of play, from beginners in early youth competition to senior-aged masters.

Why Are Chess Norms Important?

Chess norms are important because they indicate that a player has achieved a certain level of skill and is therefore a useful tool for measuring progress and maintaining a competitive spirit. They help captains select members of their chess team. Norms in chess are important criteria to select World Champions. If a player achieves the required norms for their region, they can be invited to national or international tournaments with a higher level of competition and possibly win the title in the near future.

How Can You Get Norms in Chess?

You can get norms in chess on the internet by participating in Norm Invitational Tournaments, Open Norm Tournaments, and Local Norm Tournaments. Norm Tournaments, both online and physical, play an important role in earning the norms required for the FM, IM, and GM titles.

The most important eligibility requirements for acquiring a norm in chess are equal or higher performance ratings in a tournament to the average of the field and a high TPR. There are many rules and guidelines to consider when participating in norm tournaments. For FIDE’s official regulation visit handbook.fide.com. Check the tournament schedule and apply to the Organizing Chess Clubs directly or through platforms like Where2Play.

Participate in FIDE-Rated Tournaments

FIDE-Rated Tournaments are Chess Tournaments that are built to have norms in them. This means they are tournaments with a specified level of players and particular conditions selected in their organization for the intention of norms. If a norm-seeker has a backlog of rated tournaments or wishes to play more frequently than norms can be obtained in rated tournaments, it is possible with other requirements to have norms obtained in tournaments that are not rated by FIDE.

The FIDE events called World Chess Coke Zero Nations Cup and the FIDE Online Olympiad are two such examples. Non-FIDE norms can be awarded by norms holding federations even in unrated tournaments against varying forms, but these are mostly for categories under IM Level Title.

Achieve a Certain Rating

The FIDE norms include an International Master norm and are granted when a player performs at a level that is recognized throughout the chess world as exceptional. To grant any title, FIDE recognizes norms when they are validated by a FIDE-rated chess tournament. Most players receive them when they are playing at their national chess federation’s tournaments. The basis of the norms is as follows.

The IM and GM norms are achieved at 9 games or above. If a player participates in multiple games a day, they can be achieved with a fewer number of games. In tournaments with 2+ games per day, they are acquired by playing a different titled player in each of the four categories at least once per day for 6+ days while scoring 50% or above. For the GM and WGM titles, at least 3 players need to be different titled players in the game, while for the IM and WIM titles only 2 different players are needed with all-player pairings.

For GM/IM norms, the opponents’ ratings must come to at least 2381 and 2647, although a more elite tournament can have a lower rating requirement. WGM/WIM norms can be achieved with opponents below the top 25% like 2297 and 2166. The number of titled and foreign players as a percentage multiplier differentiates these two types of norms. These rating minimums and percentage requirements provide a point-based system for norm applications and protect against exclusive norms that don’t accurately reflect titled player strength. These limits are stricter per-round in short tournaments but less strict in many rounds.

Meet Performance Criteria

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) requires meeting performance criteria to gain Title norms. These norms include obtaining a certain number of International Master or Grandmaster scores and norms in at least three tournaments using a weighted Norm Point System (WNP).

The WNS’s formula for calculating the allotted WNS points takes into account the score while providing extra value to outstanding tournament performances by a player who comes into competition vs. others with a title and rating disadvantage. FIDE then uses this scoring system to determine whether a player had an exceptionally strong average tournament.

Get Invited to a Norm Tournament

Even if you have a FIDE rating of zero and have not played or registered in any international tournaments, it is still possible to get into a norm tournament. Most tournaments are open to all and players are classified into open or reserve sections based on their rating – thereby enabling a situation where norms are achieved at all levels. Joining in as a fill player, ie. as a player to fill out the field, is a good strategy to contend for norms even if ones current skill level is far below typical norm eligibles.

What Are the Different Types of Chess Norms?

There are three main types of norms in chess recognized by the World Chess Federation (FIDE): Grandmaster (GM) norms, International Master (IM) norms, and FIDE Master (FM) norms. These norms are further divided into norms that can be obtained in tournaments known as the Standard norms as well as Rapid norms and Blitz norms that can only be achieved in tournaments of these respective time controls.

A Norm is obtained by scoring a number of points from the number of games scored, including a set number of games against titled players as well as scoring a sufficient number of playing strength points by facing opponents above a certain strength.

Grandmaster Norms

According to World Chess Federation (FIDE) regulation CAC 1.6, a grandmaster norm is a point threshold that must be reached in competition entitled to award the norm. Achieving a GM norm is dependent on the average rating of a player’s opponents. A minimum of 9 games must be played according to the following guidelines in order to determine a player’s average rating and the number of points required to receive a GM norm.

Due to the different circumstances under which tournaments are played, each grandmaster tournament has different norms as displayed in informative annex CAC2 of FIDE regulations on norms.

Grandmaster norms are easier than International Master norms to achieve defined by averages of 2550 versus 2400 average official rating of opponent. However, garnering grandmaster norms is more difficult than International Master norms because a grandmaster title requires 3 GM norms while only 2 IM norms are needed according to IM Michael Decker.

International Master Norms

After getting two Grandmaster Norms, an International Master can get additional normal norms in their desired category. This is done in one of two ways. The first way about how can FIDE norms in Chess be obtained is by participating in norm tournaments (for organizer norms) or organizing a tournament (for FIDE recognized norms). One can learn more about these events by a multiday browse of the FIDE Events Calendar, which is mandated to display all FIDE registered events from all member federations.

FIDE Master Norms

FIDE Master (FM) norms are obtained at tournaments of either a minimum of 9 rounds and specifically at least 120 minutes per player for the first 40 moves, or are played at least 30 moves in different games at a time control of at least 10 minutes.

FIDE norms require playing against titled players the established number of rounds, with norms for International Master (IM)* or Grandmaster (GM)** having more such requirements than those for norm categories lower than FIDE Master.

In general, to increase the number of games relevant for achieving norms, norm seekers should aim to play as many games as possible while playing at tournaments in which the average player is above the FIDE rating they want. Additionally, seeking tournaments with wide schedule flexibility within international and domestic rating brackets can help.

Candidate Master Norms

Candidate Master (CM) norms are awarded to Candidate Masters by FIDE, the governing body of international chess. A Candidate Master (CM) is a player who has achieved an ELO rating of 2200-2300. A Candidate Master must achieve at least three norms in international events against players from various countries to be awarded the CM title. This is the second most basic title in chess, after the basis of Entry Grades.

The qualifications for a player to meet FIDE’s CM standard in terms of norms and minimum tournament performance are illustrated in this FIDE website document. For the fourth and final Candidate Master norm, based on the information above, the player should receive an average score of at least 50% (2.5 out of 5) in tournaments with stronger players in order to qualify. Achieving Candidate Master status can therefore be a sign of progress and improvement in a player’s game when attaining higher ELO rankings becomes difficult.

What Are the Requirements for Each Type of Norm?

The requirements for each type of norm include the fact that each norm must be completed in 9 rounds that take place during a single event, be it a minimum of a Grandmaster Invitational round-robin tournament or a Continental Championship, Zonal Tournament, or the World Senior Championships. The norm in each category, which includes Grandmaster, International Master (men, B, and women), and FIDE Master (men, B, and women), must be compared following a somewhat different set of criteria. The following analysis can be taken from the book of the laws of chess set forth by FIDE.

Grandmaster Norms

Grandmaster Norms refer to how international chess players can go from merely being entitled to the title of FIDE Master (FM) to going all the way up to the coveted title of Grandmaster (GM).

When a player earns three GM norms or one if competing in a championship such as an individual World Championship, their application for the title can be considered by FIDE’s Titles and Ratings Committee. This eligibility is determined by the strength of their opposition as well as their personal achievement during a tournament.

Paragraphs 6 and 7 of Chapter 10 of the Handbook of Chess Arbiters state the rules for a GM norm:

1. A norm is a performance in a single tournament measured against the standards set by adjusted ratings indicating an international title.
2. The tournament should be a single Swiss pairing or a round-robin competition and last at least nine rounds. The players are required to have at least thirty moves after the start of each game or an aggregate of one hundred minutes’ time.

These pro forma rules simply require that a game where a norm could be achieved be one true to the essence and norm-building mechanism of Swiss and round-robin tournaments such that a Grandmaster’s title can be awarded only to players who demonstrate skill against strong opponents.

International Master Norms

Exclusive rights to award norms in the form of FIDE Master titles is given to FIDE-affiliated chess federations and zone councils. The requirements for both federation seven-country as well as for independent arbiters are that they are over 21 years old. For arbiters who are independent, they also must have an IA title from FIDE (International Arbiter), complete appropriate arbiter seminars, and be a national arbiter for a minimum of three years prior to being awarded the right to award international master norms.

Ahead of December 2008, FIDE’s Laws of Chess were not clear on who could award norm to FMs. Instead they included a notation that norms for all three titles could only be awarded in FIDE-rated tournaments with all three titles. Clarification for the attribution and rights for awarding norms was only finally explained a year after changes were made to ELO rating changes to stop high-ranking players from playing weaker ones to earn norms.

This clarification stated that an arbiter is the commission responsible for making the norm decision.

FIDE Master Norms

There are two types of Norms at the FIDE Master chess level, known as FM Norms. To earn the FM Title, a player must, in addition to meeting the Minimum FIDE Rating requirement, achieve either one of the four following results in the FIDE Master Tournament Norm Regulations:

• ≥ 50% in an ICCF tournament with an average rating of the opponents between 2311 and 2340 within the same rating period
• ≥ 50% in 9 games in an ICCF tournament with an average rating of the opponents between 2291 and 2310.
• ≥ 50% in an ICCF tournament with an average rating of the opponents between 2376 and 2400 in the same rating period
• ≥ 50% in 7 games in an ICCF tournament with an average rating of the opponents between 2351 and 2375

These qualifications have no bearing on whether or not one has passed the test to a certain extent, such as the Who is the Chess Master? class; they only bear on whether they may take the test. To continue with our example of the European Youth Team Chess Championships, FM Norms do not count towards this.

Candidate Master Norms

Chess players can earn Candidate Master (a recognized title in competitive play) by achieving FIDE norms. This is done by scoring 66% of the possible score in an event. For example, if an event has 9 rounds, which is typical of most events, to achieve a FIDE norm a player must score over 5.5 points (20% of 7 points) to establish a winning record. This includes wins, draws, and losses. Draws earn 0.5 points and losses earn 0 points.

Requirements to achieve the Candidate Master norm award for the first time include both 77 participation points in a minimum of 9 rated games, and the achievement of 2 norms with either a score of at least 5.5/9 in a 9-round event or at least 1.5/3 in the last of 2 or 3 9-round events. The norms should also contain performances that exceed the opponent’s average rating by 100 points.

How Many Norms Do You Need to Become a Grandmaster?

You can earn the title of grandmaster by three norms. The International Chess Federation established this title in 1914 as the top rank one can achieve in competitive chess.

To become a grandmaster you must meet the following two conditions. Have a ELO rating of over 2500. This is close to the highest levels of sporting achievement in this particular field. It is estimated that only approximately 1500 individuals have ever achieved this rating from 1800s to the present. A player must win three norms. You earn norms by doing exceptionally well in international tournaments. Winning a tournament with at least 27 games from 14 different federations.

What Happens After You Get a Norm?

After you get a norm in chess, the organization awarding the norm sends information about the norm to FIDE. FIDE accepts or denies the request to have the event for the norm rated, assuming the event was not given in advance reluctant status. If the player has enough norms on their account and achieves a FIDE rating of 2200 or more, they become a titled candidate master and they can be nominated by their federation to receive their title. If the player is below 2200 ELO, then norms that have been rated by FIDE will contribute to that player’s FIDE ELO rating (if the event was FIDE-rated). Players who achieve the required rating but do not receive their norm award within a year can appeal to have it granted to them (as long as the event and the norm rule-eligibility criteria remain the same).

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Get Norms in Chess?

What are chess norms?
Chess norms are a measure of a player’s performance in chess tournaments and are used to determine a player’s skill level.

How to Get Norms in Chess?

How do I earn a chess norm?
To earn a chess norm, you must perform well in a designated chess tournament, meeting specific criteria set by the chess federation.

How to Get Norms in Chess?

What are the different types of chess norms?
There are three types of chess norms: Grandmaster norms, International Master norms, and FIDE Master norms. Each has its own set of requirements.

How to Get Norms in Chess?

How many norms do I need to become a Grandmaster?
To become a Grandmaster, you must have three Grandmaster norms in addition to attaining a certain rating and other requirements set by the chess federation.

How to Get Norms in Chess?

Can I get a chess norm by playing online?
No, chess norms can only be earned through official in-person tournaments recognized by the chess federation.

How to Get Norms in Chess?

Is it difficult to get chess norms?
Earning chess norms can be challenging as it requires consistency and high-level performance in official tournaments. However, with dedication and practice, it is possible to achieve them.