Alexei Shirov vs Veselin Topalov
GM Alexei Shirov (2601) · GM Veselin Topalov (2695)
19
Shirov wins
37
draws
16
Topalov wins
72
games
Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov have played 72 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1992 and the most recent in Dec 2021. Shirov leads 19 wins to 16, with 37 draws (49% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Petrov's Defense (7 games). The average game between them lasted 45 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Shirov | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirov with White | 39 | 15 | 22 | 2 |
| Topalov with White | 33 | 4 | 15 | 14 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Shirov | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 53 | 15 | 29 | 9 |
| Rapid | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Blitz | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Shirov | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 7 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C68 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| C13 | French: Classical Variation | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 72 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2021 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | 4th Salamanca Masters |
| Feb 2021 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 10th Salamanca Uni |
| May 2009 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 5th Sofia MTel Masters |
| May 2009 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez | 5th Sofia MTel Masters |
| Nov 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | Olympiad-38 |
| Aug 2008 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | English Opening | 23rd Villarrobledo Open |
| Mar 2008 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | Morelia/Linares 25th |
| Feb 2008 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Morelia/Linares 25th |
| Jan 2007 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | Corus |
| Mar 2005 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Slav Defense | 14th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2005 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 14th Amber Blindfold |
| Mar 2004 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 13th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2004 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 13th Amber Blindfold |
| Feb 2004 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 21st Linares |
| Feb 2004 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | 21st Linares |
| Jan 2004 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Corus |
| Nov 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 07th Corsica Masters Rapid |
| Nov 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | 07th Corsica Masters Rapid |
| Nov 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Sicilian | 07th Corsica Masters Rapid |
| Nov 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 07th Corsica Masters Rapid |
| Mar 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Karpov Variation | 12th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Sicilian | 12th Amber Blindfold |
| Jan 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | Corus |
| Jul 2002 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Semi-Slav Defense | Candidates Tournament Gp1 Playoff |
| Jul 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Candidates Tournament Gp1 Playoff |
| Jul 2002 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Candidates Tournament Gp 1 |
| Jul 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Four Knights | Candidates Tournament Gp 1 |
| May 2002 | Veselin Topalov | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Eurotel Trophy |
| May 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Eurotel Trophy |
| Mar 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 11th Amber Rapid |
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Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov?
In 72 recorded games, Alexei Shirov has 19 wins, Veselin Topalov has 16 wins, and they have drawn 37 times.
How many times have Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov played each other?
Our database records 72 games between them, from Jan 1992 to Dec 2021.
What openings do Alexei Shirov and Veselin Topalov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Petrov's Defense (7 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (5). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.