Norm (chess)
A norm in chess is a high level of performance in a chess tournament. The level of performance is typically measured in tournament performance rating above a certain threshold, and there is a requirement on the level of tournament, for instance by a prescribed minimal number of participants of given title/level one meets. Several norms are among the requirements to receive a title such as GM from FIDE.
Grandmaster norm
To qualify for the title of Grandmaster of chess, a title awarded by FIDE, the World Chess Federation, a player must achieve three or more grandmaster norms in events covering a minimum of 27 games. Norms can only be gained in tournaments that fulfill FIDE's strict criteria: for instance, the entry must include at least three GM titled players from different countries playing over a minimum of nine rounds with not less than 120 minutes thinking time per round, assuming the game lasts 60 moves. There are a number of other more minor stipulations, such as that an International Arbiter must be officiating the event. Generally, players must achieve a tournament performance rating of at least 2600 to earn a Grandmaster norm.Norms can also be earned by placing highly enough in particular FIDE events. For example, Shawn Rodrigue-Lemieux earned his first Grandmaster norm by virtue of winning the Under-18 section at the 2022 World Youth Chess Championship.
FIDE publishes the current title regulations on its website.