What is a "Grand Master" really?

[Kembudo-Kai Kempoka]

Nothing more than the H.N.I.C.

D.

 

[Rich Parsons]

Snagged this from another board...


My opening reply:

Good question.

I'll take a stab at it.


Chess has grandmasters, defined thusly "Conferred by FIDE, it is the
highest title (aside from World Champion) that one can achieve. It is
awarded to players who meet established performance standards. Other
titles (in order of importance) are International Master and FIDE
Master. Once earned, these titles cannot be taken away." and "a player
of exceptional or world class skill in chess or bridge"

So, lets pare this down a bit.

Highest Title
Meet established performance standards
Cannot be taken away
a player of exceptional or world class skill

I would add the following:
Head of a martial arts organization and/or founder of a style/art.
Individual who sets and establishes standards for the style/art
Individual who develops / forms / perfects the art/style


In Modern Arnis terms, Remy Presas was the founding GM because he pulled
the components together that became Modern Arnis.
He was the 'stick' against all others were measured.
He set the standards and decided who was where in the pecking order.




Hows that for a start?

In chess there is more than one Grand Master at one time.

So does this mean an art or organization could have multiple Grand Masters and they know what the pecking order is (* If they even care *) even if it is only on a given day.

What of family systems? What if the heir is not the best, they would not meet the skill set required. Of course they could get there with practice and training from the seniors of the system. So should they have the title?

And the next example I am not speaking of Modern Arnis, but in general, if the GM is reitred for health reasons and there is an heir or heirs to the system, yet they do not meet the skill set. Do they get the title of GM or shoudl that wait until they have the skill set, even though they might be recognized the head or best of an organization?

 

[tshadowchaser]

In a family system it is sometimes an uncle or close relative that will get the title depending on many things.
In general I would say that if the old GM is still alive he/she has the right to say who should get the title and those with in the system should follow his lead or leave the system rather than cause disruption with in the system