International Master (IM)
International master is one of the titles that a chess player can earn, and it is a very distinguishing achievement. It ranks just below the title of world champion and grandmaster. Here is what you show know about this title:
- Who Is An International Master?
- Who Awards The IM Title?
- How Is An IM Title Earned?
- Can A Kid Become An IM?
- Are IMs On ChessKid?
- Wrapping Up
- International Master Video
Abhimanyu Mishra, the youngest IM in the world, in 2019 when he earned the title. Photo courtesy Swati Hemant Mishra.
Who Is An International Master?
IMs are very strong players, and they must prove themselves in difficult tournaments to achieve their titles. IMs usually have a classical FIDE rating between 2400 and 2500 (Ratings of grandmasters are usually 2500 or higher). Because many IMs want to advance to the title of grandmaster, they compete in many high-level tournaments (To learn about how chess ratings are determined, read “Elo Rating System,” a term explained by ChessKid).
Who Awards The IM Title?
The IM title is awarded by FIDE, the International Chess Federation, to players who achieve a 2400 classical (or standard) rating and three IM norms (Norms are explained in the next section). Once the IM title is awarded, it is held for life. The first IM titles were awarded in 1950, and more than 3,700 players in the world hold the title.
Carissa Yip has advanced from international master to woman grandmaster. Photo: Crystal Fuller/Saint Louis Chess Club.
How Is An IM Title Earned?
Earning the IM title is not easy. It requires excellent play in rated tournaments, and a player has to achieve three IM norms plus a rating of 2400. In chess, the term norm means performance at a high level in a very competitive tournament. For each IM norm, a player must achieve a performance rating of 2450 or higher in a nine-round FIDE tournament. In the tournament, several players must be titled and also be members of a federation (which represents a county) different than the one of the players who is seeking the IM title.
Can A Kid Become An IM?
Very definitely. The record for the youngest IM is currently held by Abhimanyu Mishra, who attained the title at the age of 10 years, nine months, and three days. He is now a grandmaster! Watch this video about how he became a grandmaster. By 17 days, he broke the previous record that had been held by Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, also now a grandmaster (as well as the fourth-youngest grandmaster in history) and who was awarded the IM title when he was also just 10 years old.
In 2019 at age 11, ChessKid’s Carissa Yip became the youngest American woman in history to qualify for the IM title, which was awarded to her by FIDE in February 2020. She even beat a grandmaster when she was 10, and she has now advanced to the title of woman grandmaster. In 2021, she became the U.S. Women’s Chess Champion. Read about her achievements in the article “Carissa Yip: Youngest Female Master Ever.” On ChessKid, she is known as Magician4MA in her articles and videos.
As Tani Adewumi wins more trophies, he continues to pursue higher chess titles.
Another rising star is Tanitoluwa (Tani) Adewumi, who earned the chess title of national master when he was just 10. Although this title is below that of IM, he is well on his way to achieving higher titles. Tani plays regularly on ChessKid. In fact, you can play Tani the bot on ChessKid. Watch FunMasterMike as he tries to beat him in this video. Will Tani advance to the IM title and achieve other higher goals? Follow his progress in articles on ChessKid. Meanwhile, read about his chess successes in the article “Tani Is a Chess Master.”
Do you think you can beat Tani? Watch the video (link above) to see if FunMasterMike could.
Are IMs On ChessKid?
IMs are among the titled players on ChessKid, you can see the list of IMs on ChessKid here. IMs and other titled players are easy to identify online because their titles are usually displayed next to their usernames. The most well-recognized IM on ChessKid is IM Danny Rensch (known as Poppa Bear), who writes articles and makes videos. See this video by him on “How to Get Your Pieces Working Together.”
Danny Rensch (known as Poppa Bear) is a well-known IM on ChessKid.
Wrapping Up
Now you know what the IM title is and how distinctive it is in chess. Enjoy the articles and videos that have been prepared for you by IMs and other titled players, particularly Poppa Bear (IM Danny Rensch). With this new knowledge, perhaps you will be inspired to pursue a chess title for yourself.