How to become a Grand Master

The rank of Grand Master can only be achieved after gaining three norms in tournaments which fulfil a series of criteria. They must have at least three Grand Masters from different countries, and nine rounds are played with a time control of at least 120 minutes.

There must also be an international referee present to make decisions during the event. Finally, a chess player who wants to achieve a norm must have a result of 2,600 ELO points in that tournament.

In addition, once the three norms have been reached, the player must equal or exceed the figure of 2,500 ELO points (a systm created in 1970). In 2017 there werejust 47 Grand Masters of Chess in Spain.