How many grandmasters were there in the world in 1953 !?

Now it's around 15 hundred grandmasters around the world , what about that time ?  

I was reading a book : 

International Grandmasters Chess Tournament Zurich 1953 by David Bronstein  and start wondering.

Old people might know rough numbers

In 1950, when FIDE first conferred official titles (to living players only), there were 27 Grandmasters.  Since the rules for GM titles were changed in 1953, there might have been a handful more by then.

With the democratization of the game, more people in exotic locations are playing chess than ever before. I don't remember when the first Chinese GM was crowned, but I think it was in the last 20 years. Now, there are 65 from China alone. 

Currently, there are 1625 GMs according to FIDE. Russia has 227. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union kept a strict limit on the number of players who were allowed to compete internationally. 

Here's the thread with the answer...

Living GMs per year - parliament-styled diagrams

a degree of toxicity that deserves not looking at the forums again

+1

Hi ESP. How are you doing?

Wow. He did an impressive job.  Thanks for the link.

#12 

I'm good thanks, long time no see how are you? 

#6 

Thanks you answer is very good 

THANK YOU vary much,  this is the best answer hands down and it was exactly what I looking for without too much talking,  straight to the point nice ! 

👍Best answer

An excellent book.

Thx. That's the reason I bought it, I've heard the same.

Did you read it yourself, in what language? 

#6 and #14 thread is VERY educational and VERY interesting, someone please continue his hard work.

I own a copy of the 1979 (Dover) English edition, yes.