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Hikaru Nakamura vs Boris Gelfand

GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Boris Gelfand (2641)

10
Nakamura wins
17
draws
12
Gelfand wins
39
games

Hikaru Nakamura and Boris Gelfand have played 39 recorded games against each other, the first in Jul 2005 and the most recent in Jul 2026. Nakamura leads 10 wins to 12 - trailing overall, with 17 draws (56% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation (2 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesNakamuraDrawsGelfand
Nakamura with White23599
Gelfand with White16583

Results by time format

FormatGamesNakamuraDrawsGelfand
Classical265138
Blitz9342
Rapid4202

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesNakamuraDrawsGelfand
C47Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation2011
E97King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation2110
A80Dutch Defense2110
A88Dutch Defense2110
D37Indian Defense2110
D43Slav Defense2110
B33Sicilian: Sveshnikov2002
B30Sicilian: Rossolimo1010

Most recent 30 of 39 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Jul 2026Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation2026 Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz | Blitz Final
Dec 2024Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: RossolimoWorld Blitz 2024
Mar 2018Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1-0Nimzovich-Larsen attackMoscow Tal Memorial Blitz 11th
Mar 2018Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1-0Slav Defense11th Moscow Tal Memorial Rapid
Apr 2017Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Slav Defense6th Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz2
Apr 2017Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura0-1Indian Defense6th Zuerich Chess Challenge
Apr 2017Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1-0English Opening: Symmetrical6th Zuerich Chess Challenge Blitz
May 2015Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2King's Indian Defense: Orthodox VariationKhanty-Mansiysk FIDE GP
Oct 2014Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: Moscow VariationTashkent FIDE GP
Oct 2014Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Dutch DefenseBaku FIDE GP
Feb 2014Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura0-1Dutch DefenseZuerich Chess Challenge Rapid
Feb 2014Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1-0Indian DefenseZuerich Chess Challenge Extra Rapid
Feb 2014Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2SicilianZuerich Chess Challenge
Jan 2014Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1-0Queen's Gambit AcceptedZuerich Chess Challenge Blitz
Jan 2014Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2English Opening76th Tata Steel Masters
Dec 2013Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System5th London Classic KO
Dec 2013Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1-0Grünfeld Defense5th London Classic KO
Dec 2013Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Indian Defense5th London Classic Gp C
Dec 2013Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Indian Defense5th London Classic Gp C
Oct 2013Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand0-1Sicilian: NajdorfParis FIDE GP
Jun 2013Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand0-1Sicilian: Sveshnikov8th Moscow Tal Memorial
Jun 2013Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Dutch DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 8th Blitz
Sep 2012Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand0-1Sicilian: Sveshnikov1st London FIDE GP
Jan 2012Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura0-1Dutch Defense74th Tata Steel Masters
Nov 2011Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Indian Defense6th Moscow Tal Memorial
Mar 2011Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand0-1Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein SystemAmber Rapid 20th
Mar 2011Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2King's Indian Defense20th Amber Blindfold
Nov 2010Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand0-1Queen's Gambit Declined5th Wch Blitz
Nov 2010Boris GelfandHikaru Nakamura0-1Catalan5th Wch Blitz
Nov 2010Hikaru NakamuraBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Slav DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 5th
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Boris Gelfand?

In 39 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 10 wins, Boris Gelfand has 12 wins, and they have drawn 17 times.

How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Boris Gelfand played each other?

Our database records 39 games between them, from Jul 2005 to Jul 2026.

What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Boris Gelfand play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation (2 games), followed by the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.