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Alexei Shirov vs Boris Gelfand

GM Alexei Shirov (2601) · GM Boris Gelfand (2641)

22
Shirov wins
37
draws
16
Gelfand wins
75
games

Alexei Shirov and Boris Gelfand have played 75 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1987 and the most recent in Sep 2025. Shirov leads 22 wins to 16, with 37 draws (51% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Najdorf (11 games). The average game between them lasted 42 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesShirovDrawsGelfand
Shirov with White3613176
Gelfand with White3992010

Results by time format

FormatGamesShirovDrawsGelfand
Classical61153115
Rapid11650
Blitz3111

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesShirovDrawsGelfand
B90Sicilian: Najdorf11452
C42Petrov's Defense5140
D45Slav Defense5212
D47Slav Defense3030
D27Queen's Gambit Accepted3120
D15Slav Defense3021
B92Sicilian: Najdorf2110
C43Petrov's Defense2020

Most recent 30 of 75 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Sep 2025A ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: RossolimoFIDE Grand Swiss
Aug 2014Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Indian DefenseOlympiad-41
Nov 2010Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1-0Slav DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 5th
Jun 2009Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2English Opening3rd Bazna Kings
Jun 2009Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand0-1Queen's Indian Defense3rd Bazna Kings
Nov 2008Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2CatalanOlympiad-38
Oct 2008Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Petrov's Defense24th EU-Cup
Sep 2008Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Queen's Pawn GamechT-ESP Honor Gp1
Aug 2008Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Petrov's DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 3rd
Apr 2008Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1-0English OpeningchT-RUS
Nov 2007Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1-0French: Tarrasch Variation2nd Wch Blitz
Nov 2007Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1-0Slav Defense2nd Wch Blitz
Nov 2007Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Petrov's Defense2nd Moscow Tal Memorial
Jul 2007Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov0-1Indian DefenseOdessa Pivdenny Bank
Apr 2007Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation2nd Calatrava Open Rapid
Jan 2007Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Queen's Indian Defense1st World Cup ACP
Jan 2007Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand0-1Slav Defense1st World Cup ACP
Nov 2006Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Slav DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 1st
Mar 2005Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov0-1Slav Defense14th Amber Rapid
Mar 2005Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Petrov's Defense14th Amber Blindfold
Jan 2005Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Vienna GameKeres Memorial Rapid
Mar 2004Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov0-1Slav Defense13th Amber Blindfold
Mar 2004Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: Najdorf13th Amber Rapid
Oct 2003Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov0-1Ruy Lopez: Closed19th EU-Cup
Mar 2003Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Slav Defense12th Amber Rapid
Mar 2003Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1-0Petrov's Defense12th Amber Blindfold
Jul 2002Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: RossolimoCandidates Tournament Gp 1
Jul 2002Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Slav DefenseCandidates Tournament Gp 1
Mar 2002Alexei ShirovBoris Gelfand1-0French Defense11th Amber Blindfold
Mar 2002Boris GelfandAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Slav Defense11th Amber Rapid
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Alexei Shirov and Boris Gelfand?

In 75 recorded games, Alexei Shirov has 22 wins, Boris Gelfand has 16 wins, and they have drawn 37 times.

How many times have Alexei Shirov and Boris Gelfand played each other?

Our database records 75 games between them, from Jan 1987 to Sep 2025.

What openings do Alexei Shirov and Boris Gelfand play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Najdorf (11 games), followed by the Petrov's Defense (5). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.