Garry Kasparov's IQ: 123–190 (disputed)
Note: The figure above is an unverified estimate based on publicly circulated reports and biographical analysis — not a confirmed result from an authenticated IQ test. Most public figures have never released an official score. How we handle IQ estimates →
Estimated IQ
123–190 (disputed)
Known For
Chess world champion, political activist
About Garry Kasparov
Garry Kasparov's IQ is one of the most misreported figures on the internet. The '190' widely repeated online has no documented source. What is documented: in the late 1980s the German magazine Der Spiegel had Kasparov complete an extensive battery of cognitive tests, and the reported overall IQ result was around 123 — paired with truly exceptional memory scores. Kasparov dominated world chess for over 20 years (1985-2005), and his legendary 1997 matches against IBM's Deep Blue were pivotal moments in AI history.
What an IQ of 123–190 (disputed) Means
The Kasparov case is a useful lesson in how celebrity IQ myths form: a spectacular but unsourced number (190) spreads because it feels consistent with visible genius, while the one documented test result (~123 on Der Spiegel's battery, with off-the-charts memory performance) is forgotten. It also illustrates a real research finding — elite chess skill depends heavily on trained pattern memory and domain expertise, not just the general reasoning that IQ tests measure. Kasparov's chess calculation, memory, and strategic depth were extraordinary regardless of what any single test battery reported.
How Garry Kasparov Compares
To understand where this falls on the IQ scale, see our complete IQ score ranges guide, or learn what IQ actually measures.
Famous IQ Comparison
| Person | Estimated IQ | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Garry Kasparov | 123–190 (disputed) | Chess world champion, political activist |
| Beyoncé | 115–125 | Singer, performer, business mogul, cultural icon |
| Donald Trump | 120–135 | 45th & 47th US President, real estate, media |
| Snoop Dogg | 130–145 | Rapper, actor, entrepreneur, cultural icon |
| LeBron James | 110–120 | NBA legend, 4x champion, business mogul |
| Jodie Foster | 132 | Academy Award actress, director, Yale graduate |
| Marilyn Monroe | 163 (apocryphal) | Actress, cultural icon, Hollywood legend |
See the complete famous IQ list or check what an IQ of 157 means.
Where This Estimate Comes From
- Tested for the German magazine Der Spiegel in the late 1980s, reportedly scoring about 123 overall with exceptional memory results
- The popular 190 figure is media inflation, not a recorded score
- The Der Spiegel testing is documented; the 190 claim is not
Estimate disclaimer: Garry Kasparov's IQ figure is a speculative estimate compiled from public sources, not a verified test result. See how we compile these estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garry Kasparov's IQ?
The widely quoted figure of 190 is an internet myth with no documented source. The only documented testing — a battery administered by Der Spiegel in the late 1980s — reportedly produced an overall IQ around 123, alongside exceptional memory scores. The true picture: a documented result far lower than the myth, attached to one of the greatest chess minds in history.
Is Kasparov the smartest chess player?
There's no reliable IQ ranking of chess players — most cited figures (Kasparov 190, Fischer 180, Carlsen 186) are unverified internet estimates. By chess achievement, Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen are the strongest players in history; how that maps to IQ is largely unknown.
How does chess relate to IQ?
Chess ability correlates with IQ at about 0.4-0.5 — a moderate correlation. Chess mastery also depends heavily on thousands of hours of practice and trained pattern memory. Kasparov's own documented testing (high memory, more ordinary overall score) illustrates that elite chess is not simply high IQ.
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MyIQScores Editorial Team
Editorial team focused on cognitive testing & psychometrics research
Last updated
May 10, 2026
MyIQScores content is written and maintained by our editorial team using published research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics as its source base. We label estimates as estimates, link primary sources where available, correct errors when readers flag them, and update pages as research or feedback warrants — see our corrections policy.