What is a GrandMaster?

What is a Grandmaster? Many parents and students alike ask me this question. A grandmaster is a rank that FIDE (World Chess Federation) bestows upon a player. Over the course of history the specific qualifications for this have changed; but it basically means you are a really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really really good chess player.

Currently, the regulations for becoming a Grandmaster are somewhat complex. A player must have  an Elo Rating of at least 2500 (although they need not maintain this level to obtain or keep the title). Also, at least two favorable results (called norms) from a total of at least 27 games in tournaments involving other Grandmasters, including some from countries other than the applicant’s, are usually required before FIDE will confer the title on a player.  Current regulations can be found in the FIDE Handbook

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