Hikaru Nakamura vs Andrey Esipenko
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Andrey Esipenko (2678)
Hikaru Nakamura and Andrey Esipenko have played 27 recorded games against each other, the first in Aug 2021 and the most recent in Apr 2026. Nakamura leads 13 wins to 5, with 9 draws (67% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Nimzovich-Larsen attack (3 games). The average game between them lasted 54 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 |
| Esipenko with White | 13 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Classical | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Rapid | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Esipenko |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| A13 | Réti Opening | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C50 | Italian Game | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A06 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A13 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A44 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A07 | Réti Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Mar 2026 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Dec 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Colle System | Titled Tue |
| Oct 2025 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Titled Tue |
| Sep 2025 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game | Titled Tue |
| Sep 2025 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Jul 2025 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Benoni Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Jun 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Réti Opening | FIDE World Bl Team Final |
| Nov 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 0-1 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Late |
| Nov 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Late |
| Nov 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Late |
| Sep 2024 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jul 2024 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | Titled Tue Early |
| Mar 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Oct 2023 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Sep 2023 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | AI Cup Play In |
| Apr 2023 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Bogo-Indian Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Trompowsky Attack | Titled Tue Late |
| Apr 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Apr 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 0-1 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Chess.com Rapid Wk11 KO |
| Apr 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Rapid Wk10 Swiss |
| Mar 2022 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Bishop's Opening | Berlin FIDE GP 3 Pool A |
| Mar 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Berlin FIDE GP 3 Pool A |
| Mar 2022 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Titled Tue Early |
| Feb 2022 | Andrey Esipenko | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | Berlin FIDE GP 1 Pool A |
| Feb 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Berlin FIDE GP 1 Pool A |
| Aug 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Andrey Esipenko | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Titled Tue |
Interactive board, all 27 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Andrey Esipenko?
In 27 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 13 wins, Andrey Esipenko has 5 wins, and they have drawn 9 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Andrey Esipenko played each other?
Our database records 27 games between them, from Aug 2021 to Apr 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Andrey Esipenko play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Nimzovich-Larsen attack (3 games), followed by the Réti Opening (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.