FIDE and USCF Chess Title Hierarchy

• World Champion WCH *
• Grandmaster (International Grandmaster) GM
• International Master IM
• Women Grandmaster WGM
• (Life) Senior Master(US)**
• FIDE-Master FM
• Women International Master WIM
• (Life) National Master NM (US)**
• Women Fide-Master WFM
• Candidate Master FIDE CM
• Candidate Master (Expert) (US)
• Women Candidate Master FIDE WCM
• 1st Category Player (US)
• 2nd Category Player (US)
• 3rd Category Player (US)
• 4th Category Player (US)
• Licensed Class E-J, Beginner Player (US)

  * Open category, current and former titles count, under-categories are not applicable for this hierarchy.

  ** To obtain the "Life" title one must fulfil extra requirements.