Hikaru Nakamura vs Anish Giri
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Anish Giri (2764)
Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri have played 129 recorded games against each other, the first in Aug 2010 and the most recent in Apr 2026. Nakamura leads 40 wins to 14, with 75 draws (42% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (16 games). The average game between them lasted 45 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Giri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 72 | 26 | 40 | 6 |
| Giri with White | 57 | 14 | 35 | 8 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Giri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 70 | 29 | 32 | 9 |
| Classical | 37 | 5 | 29 | 3 |
| Rapid | 22 | 6 | 14 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Giri |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 16 | 3 | 11 | 2 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| A06 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| D46 | Slav Defense | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| D02 | Réti Opening | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| B40 | Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 129 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Mar 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Dec 2025 | A Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Jun 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Giri | 1-0 | Réti Opening | FIDE World Bl Team Final |
| Dec 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | World Blitz 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | A Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Oct 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | A Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | TechM GCL 2024 |
| Oct 2024 | A Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | TechM GCL 2024 |
| May 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Feb 2024 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2023 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | AI Cup Div 1 L |
| Sep 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 0-1 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | AI Cup Div 1 L |
| Jun 2023 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 11th Norway Chess Armageddon |
| Jun 2023 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 11th Norway Chess |
| May 2023 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Bogo-Indian Defense | 11th Norway Masters Blitz |
| Dec 2022 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Wch Blitz |
| May 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Chess.com Rapid Wk14 Swiss |
| May 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Rapid Wk13 Swiss |
| Apr 2022 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | chess.com Rapid Wk12 Swiss |
| Apr 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Chess.com Rapid Wk10 Swiss |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1-0 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Anish Giri | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Anish Giri | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | Speed Chess |
Interactive board, all 129 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri?
In 129 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 40 wins, Anish Giri has 14 wins, and they have drawn 75 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri played each other?
Our database records 129 games between them, from Aug 2010 to Apr 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (16 games), followed by the Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo (8). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.