Chess problem

A chess problem, formally called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using chess pieces on a chess board, presenting the solver with a particular task to be achieved. For instance, a position might be given with the instruction that white is to move first, and checkmate black in two moves against any possible defence. A person who creates such problems is known as a "composer". There is a good deal of specialised jargon used in chess problems; see chess problem terminology for a list.

Titles

Just as in over-the-board play, the titles International Grandmaster, International Master and FIDE Master are awarded by FIDE via the Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Composition (PCCC) for especially distinguished problem and study composers and solvers (unlike over-the-board chess, however, there are no women-only equivalents to these titles in problem chess).

Related Topics:
International Grandmaster - International Master - FIDE Master - Permanent Commission of the FIDE for Chess Composition

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For composition, the International Master title was established in 1959, with Andre Cheron, Arnolodo Ellerman, Alexander Gerbstmann, Jan Hartong and Cyril Kipping being the first honorary reciepients. In subsequent years, qualification for the IM title, as well as for the GM title (first awarded in 1972 to Genrikh Kasparyan, Lev Loshinsky, Comins Mansfield and Eeltje Visserman) and the FM title (first awarded 1990) has been determined on the basis of the number of problems or studies a composer had selected for publication in the FIDE Albums. These are collections of the best problems and studies composed in a particular three year period, as selected by FIDE-appointed judges. Each problem published in an album is worth one point; each study is worth 1 2/3; joint compositions are worth the same divided by the number of composers. For the FIDE Master title, a composer must accumulate 12 points; for the International Master title, 25 points are needed; and for the Grandmaster title, a composer must have 70 points.

Related Topics:
Andre Cheron - Arnolodo Ellerman - Alexander Gerbstmann - Jan Hartong - Cyril Kipping - Genrikh Kasparyan - Lev Loshinsky - Comins Mansfield - Eeltje Visserman - FIDE Album

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For solvers, the GM and IM titles were both first awarded in 1982; the FM title followed in 1997. GM and IM titles can only be gained by participating in the official World Chess Solving Championship (WCSC): to become a GM, a solver must score at least 90% of the winner's points and on each occasion finish in at least tenth place three times within ten successive WCSCs. For the IM title they must score at least 80% of the winner's points and each time finish in at least fifteenth place twice within five successive WCSCs; alternatively, winning a single WCSC or scoring as many points as the winner in a single WCSC will earn the IM title. For the FM title, the solver must score at least 75% of the winners points and each time finish within the top 40% of participants in any two PCCC-approved solving competitions.

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The title International Judge of Chess Compositions is given to individuals considered capable of judging composing tourneys at the highest level.

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