Chess Title Differences: CM, FM, IM, GM
Chess has a clear title hierarchy: CM, FM, IM, and GM. But what does each title actually mean in terms of playing strength? How big is the gap between them?
Playing strength comparison
| Title | Rating | Approximate level |
|---|---|---|
| CM | 2200+ | Strongest club players. Can beat any amateur. |
| FM | 2300+ | Semi-professional. Competes in national events. |
| IM | 2400+ | Professional strength. Can compete internationally. |
| GM | 2500+ | Elite. Top 0.01% of all chess players worldwide. |
The gap between titles
Each 100-point rating gap represents approximately a 64% expected score for the higher-rated player. So an FM (2300) would beat a CM (2200) about 64% of the time. A GM (2500) would beat an FM (2300) about 76% of the time. The gap between amateur and GM is enormous.
How many of each title exist?
Approximate global numbers: ~3,500 CMs, ~7,500 FMs, ~4,000 IMs, and ~2,000 GMs. The GM title is held by roughly 2,000 living players out of the millions who play chess. See how many GMs.