Life Master (chess)
Life Master is a chess title awarded by the United States Chess Federation. To be awarded this title, one must hold a master's rating of over 2200 for at least 300 tournament chess games.
During the first half of the 1990s, the USCF also awarded a "Life Master" title on the basis of a different and more complex system. This "class norm" system was later discontinued, and players who had or were subsequently granted the title on the 300-game basis were renamed "Original Life Masters." In practice, the distinction is rarely made.
As the name of this title implies, this title is held for life, regardless of any subsequent decrease in rating. Thus it is possible to have a player with a USCF rating of 2100 who is a Life Master. However, this is extremely rare, since the title carries a rating floor of 2200, which can be lowered only by the USCF office.