To become a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in chess, you’ll need to achieve three norms and have a minimum Elo rating of 2300 with at least 30 rated games.
But what exactly does that mean?
A norm is a performance rating achieved at an official FIDE chess tournament.
To earn a WGM title, you must achieve three norms with required play expected to be greater than equal to a 2400 performance against opponents with an average rating greater than or equal to 2180 according to FIDE.
In addition to norms, you need a minimum FIDE rating of 2300 to become a WGM.
Ratings are calculated based on your performance and results in official FIDE-rated events.
Consistently win or draw against higher-rated players and your rating will steadily increase over time.
To have the best chance at earning norms, play in the strongest tournaments you can against the toughest competition available.
Aim for an average opponent rating of at least 2100-2300, the higher the better.
Earning one norm can take 3-5 rounds in a 9-round tournament, so be prepared for intense focus over multiple days of play.
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