International Grandmaster

The title International Grandmaster is awarded to world-class chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE. Apart from "World Champion", Grandmaster is the highest title a chess player can attain.

Origin and Current Statistics

The title "Grandmaster" was created by Russian Tsar Nicholas II, who in 1914 awarded it to five players (Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Tarrasch and Marshall), who were finalists of a tournament in Saint Petersburg which he had funded. The tournament was won by Lasker ahead of Capablanca.

Related Topics:
Russian Tsar Nicholas II - 1914 - Lasker - Capablanca - Alekhine - Tarrasch - Marshall - Saint Petersburg

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FIDE first awarded the formal title in 1950. In 1972 there were only 88 GM's with 33 being Russian. In July 2005, the FIDE ratings list included over 900 grandmasters; see list of chess players and category chess grandmasters for some of them. The increase is at least partly due to the greater ease of travel, which makes it simpler to organize the international tournaments required to provide norm opportunities.

Related Topics:
List of chess players - Category chess grandmasters

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The Grandmaster title retains its prestige because it represents a very high level of chess performance against other titled players. A chess master is typically in the top 2% of all tournament players. A Grandmaster is typically in the top 0.2% percent at the time he or she earns the title. http://www.uschess.org/ratings/ratedist.html

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