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How to Be a Chess Grandmaster

The title of Grandmaster is awarded to the world's best chess players by the World Chess Federation, or Fédération Internationale des Échecs, a French organization that sponsors chess tournaments around the world. Very few players are awarded the title. As of 2010, there were over 1,000 chess players with the Grandmaster title, and a handful with the honorary title of Grandmaster in the entire world. In addition, there are over 100 players who hold the title of Women's Grandmaster, although women can and do also attain the Grandmaster title.

Things You'll Need

Chess board

Instructions

- 1
  Learn and follow the rules and regulations of the game according to FIDE. Every tournament sponsored by FIDE has specific guidelines that need to be followed. Familiarize yourself with the rules for tournament play so that your efforts do not go unrewarded due to misunderstandings or ignorance.
- 2
  Find an experienced tutor. There are experienced chess players available for tutoring all over the world. There are a number of important things to consider when choosing a chess tutor. Find someone that has a good record of FIDE tournament play, preferably one that is several years long. This person should also have a high Elo (or skill level) rating. It may be easier to learn from someone who has qualifications as a teacher, in addition to skills as a player, because instruction requires an additional skill set.
- 3
  Join a chess club that sponsors FIDE approved tournaments. You can only attain the title of Grandmaster from the FIDE, and the FIDE will only bestow the title upon players with FIDE ratings.
- 4
  Play with as many other experienced chess players as you can. This way you will learn how to compete with other players with diverse styles and approaches to play. You can practice playing chess online, but it is also a good idea to play as many games in person as possible. Furthermore, you must play regularly in tournaments or you will not be able to build your rating.
- 5
  Study the games of previous Grandmasters. You can pick up books that detail the play of the world's best players. This will help you to understand techniques you can incorporate into your game. The FIDE also awards separate Grandmaster titles to composers and solvers of chess problems, so if you are unsuccessful with tournament play, this may be a viable alternative for you.
- 6
  Achieve an Elo rating of 2500 or above. In theory, you do not need to maintain this rating, although most Grandmasters do.
- 7
  Compete with favorable results in at least two tournaments with other Grandmasters, at least one of whom is from another country.
- 8
  Win the Women's World Championship, the World Junior Championship, or the World Senior Championship.

Chess & Checkers