Evgeniy Najer vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Evgeniy Najer (2580) · GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735)
Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi have played 15 recorded games against each other, the first in Feb 2005 and the most recent in Mar 2025. Najer leads 4 wins to 7 - trailing overall, with 4 draws (73% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games). The average game between them lasted 48 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Najer | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najer with White | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Najer | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Blitz | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Rapid | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Najer | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| B86 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B97 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C12 | French: Classical Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C22 | Center Game | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C45 | Scotch Game | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C53 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | E Najer | 1-0 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | Aeroflot Open A |
| Dec 2018 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Moscow Dvoretsky Memorial |
| Sep 2015 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | ch-Moscow blitz 69th |
| Jan 2014 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | ch-Moscow Superfinal |
| Apr 2011 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 1-0 | Scotch Game | ch-RUS rapid |
| Jul 2009 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 0-1 | Center Game | Richard Riordan Blitz |
| Jul 2009 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Netanya Riordan |
| Nov 2008 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | RUS Cup final |
| Nov 2008 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | RUS Cup final |
| Sep 2008 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 61st ch-RUS Higher League |
| Aug 2008 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 15th Mainz Ordix Open |
| Aug 2007 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Evgeniy Najer | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 61st Moscow Open g/5 |
| Dec 2006 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Semi-Slav Defense | ch-RUS Superfinal |
| Feb 2006 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | French: Classical Variation | 2nd Moscow Open |
| Feb 2005 | Evgeniy Najer | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Moscow Aeroflot Open A |
Interactive board, all 15 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi?
In 15 recorded games, Evgeniy Najer has 4 wins, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 7 wins, and they have drawn 4 times.
How many times have Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi played each other?
Our database records 15 games between them, from Feb 2005 to Mar 2025.
What openings do Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games), followed by the English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.