Igor Kurganov
Childhood
Igor Kurganov was born on May 5, 1988, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. At an early age, Kurganov and his family immigrated to Germany, where he spent most of his formative years. While specific details about his childhood education are limited in public records, this early transition between cultures likely played a significant role in shaping his global perspective and adaptability—qualities that would later serve him well at international poker tables.
Career
Kurganov's professional poker career began in 2010 when he participated in his first tournament, the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure, finishing in 119th place and earning $20,000. This modest beginning quickly evolved into an illustrious career marked by significant accomplishments.
In April 2012, Kurganov achieved a breakthrough victory by winning the European Poker Tour (EPT) High Roller event in Monte Carlo, securing a prize of $1,425,874. The following year proved equally successful as he made three final tables at the 2013 Aussie Millions, accumulating over $1,000,000 in winnings.
His career reached another milestone when he finished 6th in the GuangDong Asia Millions, adding another million dollars to his earnings. Later that year, he participated in his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) event, winning an additional $70,000.
Online, Kurganov is known by the nickname "lechuckpoker," where he has also established a formidable reputation. In April 2016, he joined the London Royals in the Global Poker League, further solidifying his standing in the poker community.
Kurganov's most prestigious accomplishment came in 2017 when he won his first WSOP bracelet in the $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold'em Championship, adding $273,964 to his career earnings.
In November 2019, Kurganov announced his departure from Team PokerStars, a sponsorship relationship that had further enhanced his visibility in the poker world.
Personal life
Kurganov has been in a relationship with British poker player Liv Boeree since 2014. Together, they have not only shared a passion for poker but also for philanthropy, co-founding the charity project Raising for Effective Giving.
Kurganov's residential history includes living in Munich, Germany, and later London, UK. More recently, reports indicate he relocated to Austin, Texas. In 2021-2022,
Kurganov gained additional public attention through his association with Elon Musk, for whom he reportedly performed charity coordination work, according to a Wall Street Journal article from July 2022.
Revenue
As of 2020, Kurganov's live tournament winnings exceeded $18,500,000, placing him among the most successful poker players of his generation. This figure represents only his earnings from live tournaments and does not account for his online poker earnings or other business ventures.
Interesting facts
Kurganov is multilingual, likely speaking Russian, German, and English fluently due to his international background.
He is known for his analytical approach to poker, often applying mathematical concepts and game theory to his strategy.
Kurganov's interest in effective altruism represents a unique intersection of his poker career with philosophical principles about maximizing positive impact.
Despite his success, Kurganov maintains a relatively low profile compared to many other high-stakes poker players, focusing more on the game and his philanthropic work than on cultivating a public persona.
He has expressed particular interest in supporting organizations that work on existential risk research, demonstrating his concern for long-term global challenges.
Legacy
While Kurganov's poker achievements are substantial, his most enduring legacy may well be his pioneering work in connecting the poker community with effective altruism. By co-founding Raising for Effective Giving, he created a mechanism for poker players to contribute meaningfully to high-impact charitable causes.
As of July 2020, Raising for Effective Giving had raised over $14,000,000 for its supported charities, demonstrating the substantial impact of Kurganov's vision. This organization educates poker players about effective altruism and fundraises for specifically selected highly effective charities.
His approach to philanthropy emphasizes rational decision-making and evidence-based assessment of charitable effectiveness—principles that mirror the strategic thinking required in high-stakes poker.
Frequently asked Questions
Kurganov's most notable poker achievements include winning the EPT High Roller in Monte Carlo in 2012 for $1,425,874 and securing a World Series of Poker bracelet in 2017 in the $10,000 Tag Team No Limit Hold'em Championship. As of 2020, his live tournament winnings exceed $18,500,000.
Raising for Effective Giving (REG) is a philanthropic organization co-founded by Kurganov and Liv Boeree that promotes effective altruism within the poker community. REG educates poker players about making charitable donations that maximize positive impact and has raised over $14 million for highly effective charities.
Effective altruism is a philosophical and social movement that uses evidence and reasoning to determine the most effective ways to benefit others. Rather than simply giving to causes with emotional appeal, effective altruists seek to maximize the positive impact of their charitable contributions through careful analysis and strategic giving.
Kurganov has been in a relationship with British poker player Liv Boeree since 2014. Together, they co-founded Raising for Effective Giving and have been advocates for effective altruism in the poker community.
According to a Wall Street Journal article from July 2022, Kurganov worked with Elon Musk on charity coordination during 2021-2022. Public sources have not extensively documented the exact nature and extent of their professional relationship.
