NORM

***** NORM *****

This is a brief explanation of the current FIDE requirements to 
achieve official FIDE titles, such as GM, IM, FM, WGM, WIM and WFM.:
(These titles are not awarded for online play--only face to face 
events with an arbiter present count.)

In order to achieve a GM norm in a 9 round tournament, you have to do the following:

1)  Play at least three GMs and five titleholders, no more
    than two players may be without a FIDE-ELO rating (including yourself)
2)  Play against players from at least three federations, and no more than 
    six from the same federation (including yourself)
3)  Score at least 7/9 against an ELO-average of at least 2381, 6.5/9 against   
    at least 2435 or 6/9 against at least 2476. Eventually, opponents without FIDE-ELO 
    are counted as 2250 (previously 2000).

Players can also obtain norms of more than 9 rounds, provided that they achieve a 
2601 performance rating.

The normal way of getting the GM title is by getting three of these norms, in at least 
27 games,  (three 9 round tournaments usually). 
You will also need a FIDE rating of at least 2500 on some point after the first 
GM norm was achieved. A GM norm (or any other norm) will be awarded if the 2500 
(2400) border was passed during a tournament. This is to avoid withdrawals during 
the tournament, if a norm already was achieved. You can also become GM directly 
by winning the World Junior Championships, or by getting a GM norm based on 13 
games in the Olympiad.

In order to achieve an IM norm in a 9 round tournament, you have to do is:

1)  Play at least three IMs and five titleholders, no more than two players
    may be without a FIDE-ELO rating (including yourself)
2)  Play against players from at least three federations, and no more than six from the
    same federation (including yourself)
3)  Score at least 7/9 against an ELO-average of at least 2231, 6.5/9 against at 
    least 2285, 6/9 against at least 2326, 5.5/9 against at least 2371, 5/9 against
    at least 2407, 4.5/9 against at least 2451 or 4/9 against at least 2494. 
    Eventually opponents without FIDE-ELO are counted as 2100 (previously 2000).

Players can also obtain norms of more than 9 rounds, provided that they achieve a 2451 
performance rating.

The normal way of getting the IM title is by getting three of these norms, in at least 
27 games (details same as with the GM title). You will also need a FIDE rating of at least 
2400 on some point after the first IM norm was achieved. As above, the IM title can be 
awarded if the 2400 border was passed during a tournament. There are also 12 other ways to 
get the IM title directly.

*** Note that there are no longer any requirements regarding a minimum number of round-
robins or swisses for any norms. ***

For the FM title you need a rating of at least 2300 and a fee to 
FIDE. The fee is currently about 100 Swiss Francs, but is sometimes paid by the national 
federation the player belongs to. You no longer need a minimum number of games in order to 
get the title.

For the WGM title you need three norms with a performance of 2400, and a rating of at least 2300. 
The WIM title requires a performance of at least 2250 and a rating of at least 2200. 
The details are basically the same as with the other titles.

To achieve a FIDE rating, you need to play in an official FIDE rated event, and play at least 9 games
with opponents with an official FIDE rating. The performance in these games, must be at least 1600
since that's what the lowest possible FIDE rating is. If you play in a 9 rounds tournament and 
all your opponents have an official FIDE rating, and if you at the same time score a performance 
of above 1600, one "FIDE norm" is enough to receive a rating at the next list. If not 
9 rated opponents,you need two norms, and at least 3 games with FIDE rated opponents, and a 
performance above 1600.
Still you will have to play a total of 9 games to get the official FIDE rating.

This is just a brief explanation, as the requirements in some cases are more complicated. 
EeEk should be able to answer most questions about it.

[EeEk, revised 03/14/05]