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Why There’s No Such Thing as a “Super Grandmaster”

Why There’s No Such Thing as a “Super Grandmaster”

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Why There’s No Such Thing as a “Super Grandmaster”

Every chess fan has heard the phrase “super GM.” We use it all the time—usually to describe elite players like Magnus Carlsen, Ding Liren, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and others who dominate top-level tournaments.
But here’s the truth:

There is no official FIDE title called “Super Grandmaster.”
It doesn’t exist—at least not in any formal sense.

So why do people keep saying it? And what does it really mean?

1. “Super Grandmaster” Is Only a Nickname

FIDE, the world chess federation, recognizes only these main titles:

  • Grandmaster (GM)

  • International Master (IM)

  • FIDE Master (FM)

  • Candidate Master (CM)

That’s it. No “SGM,” no extra rank above GM.

The term “super grandmaster” was invented by chess fans, journalists, and commentators to describe players at the absolute top of the GM field.

2. Not All Grandmasters Are Equal

Getting the GM title is incredibly hard, but the range of strength among GMs is huge.
A 2500-rated GM and a 2800-rated GM are not even close in playing strength.

That gap is why people started using “super GM”—a way to separate the elite from the ordinary Grandmasters.

3. Rating Is the Real Reason the Term Exists

Over the years, the chess community has used different rating cutoffs to informally define a “super GM.”
Common thresholds include:

  • 2700+ – Usually considered the baseline for a “super GM”

  • 2750+ – True world-elite and regular Candidates-level strength

  • 2800+ – The absolute top tier in all of chess history

Only a handful of players have ever crossed 2800, which makes this level feel like its own title.

4. FIDE Has No Plans to Create a New Title

Why? Because creating another title above GM would:

  • Devalue the GM title

  • Create endless arguments about where the cutoff should be

  • Require retroactive decisions on older players

  • Add administrative complexity for little benefit

The GM title is meant to be permanent and universal.
Performance levels may rise, but the titles stay the same.

5. “Super GM” Is Still Useful—Even If It’s Not Official

Despite having no official status, the term is helpful for chess fans.
It immediately communicates:

  • A player is among the top 20–30 in the world

  • They regularly play in super-tournaments

  • They are realistic Candidates or World Championship challengers

  • Their preparation, calculation, and consistency are at a different level

It’s not a title—it’s a recognition.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as a formal “Super Grandmaster.”
But the phrase lives on because fans need a way to distinguish the rare few who sit at the top of the chess world.

All GMs are strong.
A few are elite.
And a very small number are truly super—even if FIDE never writes it on a certificate.