Hikaru Nakamura vs Alexey Sarana
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Alexey Sarana (2664)
Hikaru Nakamura and Alexey Sarana have played 72 recorded games against each other, the first in Dec 2018 and the most recent in Mar 2026. Nakamura leads 40 wins to 8, with 24 draws (67% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Réti Opening (8 games). The average game between them lasted 55 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 34 | 17 | 13 | 4 |
| Sarana with White | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 58 | 32 | 18 | 8 |
| Rapid | 13 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Classical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A06 | Réti Opening | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| A85 | Dutch Defense | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| E32 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| B50 | Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A00 | Hungarian Opening | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| B00 | Queen's Pawn Game | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A40 | English Defense | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A50 | Indian Defense | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 72 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Hungarian Opening | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | English Opening | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Trompowsky Attack | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Dec 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Colle System | Titled Tue |
| Nov 2025 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Indian Defense | 2nd 3-0 Thursday |
| Nov 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Sarana | 1-0 | Colle System | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Aug 2025 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | English Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Sarana | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Apr 2025 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Apr 2025 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game: Two Knights Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Feb 2025 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Benoni Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Oct 2024 | A Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack | Titled Tue Late |
| Jul 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Dutch Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jun 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit | Titled Tue Early |
| May 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Queen's Pawn Game | Titled Tue Late |
| Apr 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Apr 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Mar 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Titled Tue Late |
| Mar 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Clemenz Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Dutch Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Dec 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Oct 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Catalan | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Sep 2023 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Pawn Game | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Aug 2023 | Alexey Sarana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Indian Defense | Titled Tue Early |
Interactive board, all 72 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Alexey Sarana?
In 72 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 40 wins, Alexey Sarana has 8 wins, and they have drawn 24 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Alexey Sarana played each other?
Our database records 72 games between them, from Dec 2018 to Mar 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Alexey Sarana play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Réti Opening (8 games), followed by the Dutch Defense (5). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.