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Boris Gelfand vs Ruslan Ponomariov

GM Boris Gelfand (2641) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)

9
Gelfand wins
33
draws
12
Ponomariov wins
54
games

Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 54 recorded games against each other, the first in Jul 2000 and the most recent in Jul 2026. Gelfand leads 9 wins to 12 - trailing overall, with 33 draws (39% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Petrov's Defense (4 games). The average game between them lasted 42 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesGelfandDrawsPonomariov
Gelfand with White285167
Ponomariov with White264175

Results by time format

FormatGamesGelfandDrawsPonomariov
Classical253184
Blitz20596
Rapid9162

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesGelfandDrawsPonomariov
C42Petrov's Defense4031
D23Slav Defense3111
E05Catalan2020
B81Sicilian: Najdorf2110
E01Catalan2020
E04Catalan2110
D38Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense2110
A88Dutch Defense1010

Most recent 30 of 54 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Jul 2026Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Réti Opening2026 Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz | Blitz
May 2019Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2King's Indian DefenseHengshui IMSA Blitz
May 2019Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: SveshnikovHengshui IMSA Blitz
May 2019Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Petrov's DefenseHengshui IMSA Rapid
Oct 2016Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1-0SicilianAmir Timur 680 rapid
Oct 2016Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Nimzo-Indian DefenseAmir Timur 680 rapid
Oct 2016Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand0-1Sicilian: RossolimoAmir Timur 680 rapid
Oct 2016Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin DefenseAmir Timur 680 rapid
Jun 2016Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Queen's Indian DefenseEurasia Blitz Chess Cup
Jun 2016Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: NajdorfEurasia Blitz Chess Cup
Apr 2015Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Catalan10th WchT
Dec 2014Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Anti-GrünfeldBeijing Sportaccord Blitz
Dec 2014Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Semi-Slav DefenseBeijing Sportaccord Blitz
Dec 2014Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Queen's Gambit DeclinedBeijing Sportaccord Rapid
Oct 2013Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Dutch DefenseParis FIDE GP
Nov 2012Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: Rossolimo2nd Tashkent FIDE GP
Apr 2011Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Catalan18th chT-RUS
Nov 2010Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand0-1London System5th Wch Blitz
Nov 2010Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov0-1English Opening5th Wch Blitz
Jun 2010Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2English Opening: Slav Setup4th Bazna Kings
Jun 2010Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense4th Bazna Kings
May 2010Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Slav DefenseAstrakhan FIDE GP
Apr 2010Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2King's Indian Defense17th chT-RUS
Mar 2010Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1-0Slav Defense19th Amber Blindfold
Mar 2010Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov0-1Grünfeld Defense19th Amber Rapid
Dec 2009Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1-0Slav DefenseFIDE World Cup
Dec 2009Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Queen's Gambit AcceptedFIDE World Cup
Dec 2009Boris GelfandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Benoni DefenseFIDE World Cup
Dec 2009Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Réti Opening: Keres VariationFIDE World Cup
Dec 2009Ruslan PonomariovBoris Gelfand0-1Slav DefenseFIDE World Cup
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov?

In 54 recorded games, Boris Gelfand has 9 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 12 wins, and they have drawn 33 times.

How many times have Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?

Our database records 54 games between them, from Jul 2000 to Jul 2026.

What openings do Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Petrov's Defense (4 games), followed by the Slav Defense (3). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.