Alexei Shirov vs Vasyl Ivanchuk
GM Alexei Shirov (2601) · GM Vasyl Ivanchuk (2628)
Alexei Shirov and Vasyl Ivanchuk have played 92 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1989 and the most recent in Aug 2025. Shirov leads 16 wins to 27 - trailing overall, with 49 draws (47% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (7 games). The average game between them lasted 40 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Shirov | Draws | Ivanchuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirov with White | 45 | 8 | 28 | 9 |
| Ivanchuk with White | 47 | 8 | 21 | 18 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Shirov | Draws | Ivanchuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 66 | 9 | 39 | 18 |
| Rapid | 21 | 4 | 9 | 8 |
| Blitz | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Shirov | Draws | Ivanchuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| B66 | Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| B96 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| B42 | Sicilian | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| B30 | Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 92 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | A Shirov | Vasyl Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | TCh-ESP Div Honor 2025 |
| Apr 2021 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | English Opening: Slav Setup | C'Chartres Blitz Open April |
| Mar 2014 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Latvian Railway Open |
| Feb 2012 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Vladimir Petrov Memorial |
| Dec 2010 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | ch-EU Rapid Playoff 3rd |
| Jan 2010 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Corus |
| Jun 2009 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | 3rd Bazna Kings |
| Jun 2009 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 3rd Bazna Kings |
| May 2009 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Open | 5th Sofia MTel Masters |
| May 2009 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 5th Sofia MTel Masters |
| Dec 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Sicilian | 7th Benidorm Stars |
| Dec 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | 7th Benidorm Stars |
| Nov 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | chT-Final Playoff-ESP |
| Nov 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | ch-ESP final |
| Aug 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | Moscow Tal Memorial 3rd |
| Jun 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 0-1 | Grünfeld Defense | Foros Aerosvit 3rd |
| May 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Sicilian | 21st Leon |
| May 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 21st Leon |
| May 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 21st Leon |
| May 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 21st Leon |
| Apr 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | chT-RUS |
| Mar 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | French: Classical Variation | Morelia/Linares 25th |
| Feb 2008 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Semi-Slav Defense | Morelia/Linares 25th |
| Nov 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Open | 2nd Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2007 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Indian Defense | 2nd Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2nd Moscow Tal Memorial |
| Oct 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | chT-ESP Finals |
| Jul 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Odessa Pivdenny Bank |
| Jun 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Vassily Ivanchuk | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Foros Aerosvit |
| Apr 2007 | Vassily Ivanchuk | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 2nd Calatrava Open Rapid |
Interactive board, all 92 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Alexei Shirov and Vasyl Ivanchuk?
In 92 recorded games, Alexei Shirov has 16 wins, Vasyl Ivanchuk has 27 wins, and they have drawn 49 times.
How many times have Alexei Shirov and Vasyl Ivanchuk played each other?
Our database records 92 games between them, from Jan 1989 to Aug 2025.
What openings do Alexei Shirov and Vasyl Ivanchuk play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (7 games), followed by the Sicilian: Najdorf (6). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.