Igor Kurganov

Igor Kurganov was born on 5 May 1988 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and immigrated with his family to Germany at an early age. He grew up in Munich, where he studied mathematics before turning to professional poker. His online nickname "lechuckpoker" reflects his early days in the online game. Kurganov's first live tournament was the 2010 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure main event, where he finished 119th for $20,000, marking the start of his live career.

Kurganov's breakthrough came in April 2012 when he won the €25,000 European Poker Tour High Roller in Monte Carlo, defeating Daniel Negreanu heads-up to claim $1,425,874. This victory established him as a force in high roller events. In 2013, he made three final tables at the Aussie Millions, cashing for over $1,000,000 combined. He also finished sixth in the GuangDong Asia Millions main event in Macau for $1,069,137.

In 2014, Kurganov finished third in the EPT Monte Carlo €100,000 Super High Roller for $1,559,373, his largest single cash to date. He continued to excel on the European Poker Tour and at the World Series of Poker, culminating in his first WSOP bracelet in 2017. That year, he partnered with girlfriend Liv Boeree to win the $10,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold'em Championship, earning $273,964. Also in 2017, he won the PokerStars Championship Barcelona €50,000 Super High Roller for €1,084,100 ($1,273,165).

Kurganov also made deep runs in major events, including a fourth-place finish in the 2019 WSOP $100,000 High Roller for $840,183 and a fifth-place in the 2018 WSOP $50,000 High Roller for $381,874. He cashed in seven WSOP events, four EPT events, and three World Poker Tour events. As of 2025, his live tournament winnings exceed $19,070,011, ranking 65th on the all-time money list and second among Russian players.

Kurganov has been a regular in super high roller tournaments worldwide. He won the PokerStars Championship Prague €25,500 Single-Day High Roller in 2017 for €371,250. In 2018, he placed fifth in the PCA $25,000 High Roller for $249,160. He also cashed in the 2020 WSOP Online series, including a 705th-place finish in the $5,000 main event with $11,834. Online, he played under the nickname "lechuckpoker" and demonstrated skill in both cash games and tournaments.

In April 2016, Kurganov joined the Global Poker League as part of the London Royals team, showcasing his ability in team-based poker formats. He remained a Team Pokerstars pro until November 2019, when he announced his departure on Twitter, stating he wanted to focus on other ventures.

In 2014, Kurganov and Liv Boeree co-founded Raising for Effective Giving (REG), an organization that promotes effective altruism within the poker community. REG educates players on rational giving and fundraises for highly effective charities, particularly those addressing existential risks and global health. As of July 2020, REG had raised over $14,000,000 for supported organizations. After winning the 2017 WSOP bracelet, Kurganov and Boeree donated 50% of their winnings to REG.

Kurganov's philanthropic influence extended beyond poker. In 2021–2022, he advised Elon Musk on large charitable donations, a role documented by the Wall Street Journal. He believes that poker players' rational, data-driven approach should be applied to philanthropy to maximize impact.

Kurganov lived in Munich and London before moving to Austin, Texas. He has been in a relationship with British poker player Liv Boeree since 2014, and the couple married at the Burning Man festival in 2025. Together, they form one of poker's most prominent power couples, balancing high-stakes competition with charitable work.

Kurganov is known for his calm demeanor, strong mathematical foundation, and adaptability. He excels in deep-stacked play and post-flop decision-making, often gaining advantages through patience and disciplined aggression. His legacy extends beyond tournament results; he is a pioneer in integrating effective altruism into the poker world, inspiring many players to use their winnings for global good. Through REG and his personal advocacy, Kurganov has reshaped how the poker community approaches philanthropy, setting a standard for rationality and impact.