Hikaru Nakamura vs Fabiano Caruana
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Fabiano Caruana (2792)
Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana have played 282 recorded games against each other, the first in May 2004 and the most recent in Apr 2026. Nakamura leads 105 wins to 60, with 117 draws (59% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (18 games). The average game between them lasted 53 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Caruana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 145 | 59 | 58 | 28 |
| Caruana with White | 137 | 46 | 59 | 32 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Caruana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 167 | 72 | 57 | 38 |
| Classical | 68 | 18 | 40 | 10 |
| Rapid | 47 | 15 | 20 | 12 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Caruana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 18 | 4 | 7 | 7 |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 16 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| A00 | Amar Opening | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| A20 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| C01 | St. George Defense | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 282 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | English Opening | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Mar 2026 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | English Opening: Neo-Catalan | FIDE Candidates 2026 |
| Feb 2026 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Bogo-Indian Defense | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Feb 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Colle System | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | Sicilian: Alapin | 2nd 3-0 Thursday |
| Dec 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation | TechM GCL 2025 |
| Dec 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | TechM GCL 2025 |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 0-1 | Sicilian | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 0-1 | Sicilian | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | King's Indian: Sämisch | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Clutch Chess: Champions |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Titled Tue |
| Sep 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Aug 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
| Jun 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Four Knights Game | Titled Tue Late |
| Jun 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | 13th Norway Armageddon |
| Jun 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 13th Norway Chess |
| May 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | 13th Norway Chess |
| Apr 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Mar 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1-0 | Catalan | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | American Cup Championship |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Fabiano Caruana | 0-1 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Champions Showdown Kings |
| Mar 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Champions Showdown Kings |
| Mar 2025 | Fabiano Caruana | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez | Champions Showdown Kings |
Interactive board, all 282 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana?
In 282 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 105 wins, Fabiano Caruana has 60 wins, and they have drawn 117 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana played each other?
Our database records 282 games between them, from May 2004 to Apr 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (18 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (16). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.