International Master - Definition and Overview

The title International Master is awarded to outstanding chess players by the world chess organization FIDE. Instituted in 1950, it is a lifetime title, in chess literature usually abbreviated as IM.

Normally three favorable results (or norms) in tournaments involving other IMs and Grandmasters are required before FIDE will confer the title on a player. IMs typically have an ELO rating between 2400 and 2500.

Once a player has achieved the IM title, many choose to continue onwards to achieve the GM/IGM title.

International Master titles are also awarded to correspondence chess players, and composers and solvers of chess problems (see chess problem#Titles).