🥊 From Knockouts to Checkmates? The Truth About Mike Tyson’s Chess Rating Might Surprise You
Was Iron Mike a 1700-rated chess killer? Or just a casual fan clicking around at 800 Elo?
Rumors have swirled for years about Mike Tyson’s chess skills. Some Medium posts and Reddit whispers claim he hit 800 blitz on Chess.com, while others boldly state that he reached a 1700 rating on the legendary Internet Chess Club (ICC) — and was even coached by FIDE Master Dan Heisman.
But how much of this is real?
🔍 CIW Did the Research — Here’s What We Found:
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✅ Tyson does play chess. He’s mentioned the game in interviews and was filmed playing in prison and post-retirement. He’s said it helps calm his mind and sharpen his focus.
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❌ There’s no verified Chess.com account for Mike Tyson. The “800 blitz” claim may be true for someone with his name, but nothing proves it’s the Mike Tyson.
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❌ No official ICC account links Tyson to a 1700 rating. That’s a solid club-level strength — unlikely for someone without years of training.
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❌ Dan Heisman never confirmed coaching Tyson. A search of Heisman’s writings and interviews turns up no mention of Mike. If that happened, it’s completely undocumented.
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✅ Tyson likely stopped playing seriously around 2012. There’s no recent footage, no tournament results, and no online trail of serious games since then.
🎯 The CIW Verdict:
| Claim | Status |
|---|---|
| Tyson played chess casually | ✅ Confirmed |
| 800 blitz rating on Chess.com | ❓ Plausible, but unverified |
| 1700 on ICC | ❌ No evidence |
| Coached by Dan Heisman | ❌ Unsubstantiated |
| Retired from chess ~2012 | ✅ Reasonable assumption |
💡 Final Thought
Mike Tyson may have been the baddest man on the planet, but in the world of 64 squares, his legacy is still a mystery. Whether he peaked at 800 or 1700, one thing is clear:
Chess has room for legends — and even legends have to start at the bottom.
