Arkadij Naiditsch vs Viswanathan Anand
GM Arkadij Naiditsch (2574) · GM Viswanathan Anand (2739)
Arkadij Naiditsch and Viswanathan Anand have played 21 recorded games against each other, the first in Aug 2003 and the most recent in Jun 2026. Naiditsch leads 2 wins to 7 - trailing overall, with 12 draws (43% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (3 games). The average game between them lasted 36 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Naiditsch | Draws | Anand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naiditsch with White | 10 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Anand with White | 11 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Naiditsch | Draws | Anand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 11 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Rapid | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Blitz | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Naiditsch | Draws | Anand |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| C55 | Italian Game | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| B30 | Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C48 | Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B86 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | FIDE World Team Rapid & Blitz Chess Championships 2026 | Rapid | Matches 1-10 |
| Apr 2019 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1-0 | Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation | 6th Grenke Chess Classic |
| Apr 2018 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 5th Grenke Chess Classic |
| Dec 2016 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1-0 | Italian Game | Wch Blitz |
| Feb 2015 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Grenke Chess Classic 3rd |
| Feb 2013 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 1st Grenke Chess Classic |
| Feb 2013 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 1st Grenke Chess Classic |
| Nov 2009 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 4th World Blitz |
| Nov 2009 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Mikenas Variation | 4th World Blitz |
| Aug 2009 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 3rd-4th Mainz Classic Rapid |
| Aug 2009 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | 3rd-4th Mainz Classic Rapid |
| Aug 2009 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez | 3rd-4th Mainz Classic Rapid |
| Aug 2009 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3rd-4th Mainz Classic Rapid |
| Aug 2009 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Mainz Classic rap Prelim |
| Jul 2009 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 0-1 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | Mainz Classic rap Prelim |
| Jun 2007 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 35th Dortmund SuperGM |
| May 2006 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Exchange | Olympiad-37 |
| Jul 2004 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Dortmund Gr A |
| Jul 2004 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Dortmund Gr A |
| Aug 2003 | Viswanathan Anand | Arkadij Naiditsch | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 31st Dortmund SuperGM |
| Aug 2003 | Arkadij Naiditsch | Viswanathan Anand | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 31st Dortmund SuperGM |
Interactive board, all 21 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Arkadij Naiditsch and Viswanathan Anand?
In 21 recorded games, Arkadij Naiditsch has 2 wins, Viswanathan Anand has 7 wins, and they have drawn 12 times.
How many times have Arkadij Naiditsch and Viswanathan Anand played each other?
Our database records 21 games between them, from Aug 2003 to Jun 2026.
What openings do Arkadij Naiditsch and Viswanathan Anand play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (3 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Closed (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.