22-08-2014, 06:34 PM
Basically neither are real titles. I think NM is auto assigned by the USCF, which tends to have an inflated system anyway. CM is voluntarily claimed from FIDE, if you reach 2200 at any point, in return for a cash sum of course. So in general your average CM will be better than an average NM.
The only real advantage I can see for claiming CM is that you get free lifetime membership to chess.com and I think maybe a couple of other places. It also may have a benefit if you are looking at having a title for coaching purposes. The downside, which is why I have not claimed it, is it tends to be very much frowned upon by most people, and you have to give a lump of money to FIDE for what is essentially a cash cow.
The only real advantage I can see for claiming CM is that you get free lifetime membership to chess.com and I think maybe a couple of other places. It also may have a benefit if you are looking at having a title for coaching purposes. The downside, which is why I have not claimed it, is it tends to be very much frowned upon by most people, and you have to give a lump of money to FIDE for what is essentially a cash cow.