Hikaru Nakamura vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735)
71
Nakamura wins
62
draws
38
Nepomniachtchi wins
171
games
Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi have played 171 recorded games against each other, the first in Feb 2007 and the most recent in May 2026. Nakamura leads 71 wins to 38, with 62 draws (64% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (12 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 86 | 38 | 32 | 16 |
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 85 | 33 | 30 | 22 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 129 | 59 | 41 | 29 |
| Rapid | 28 | 9 | 12 | 7 |
| Classical | 14 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| B50 | Sicilian | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| D85 | Grünfeld Defense | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 171 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Titled Tuesday |
| Feb 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Colle System | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Sep 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Jul 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation | Titled Tue Early |
| May 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Feb 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | Chessable Masters Losers |
| Feb 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Chessable Masters Losers |
| Feb 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Chessable Masters Losers |
| Feb 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Chessable Masters Winners |
| Feb 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Italian Game | Chessable Masters Winners |
| Feb 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Chessable Masters Winners |
| Sep 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com SpeedChess |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Scotch Game | Chess.com SpeedChess |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com SpeedChess |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Chess.com SpeedChess |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Chess.com SpeedChess |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Colle System | Chess.com SpeedChess |
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Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi?
In 171 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 71 wins, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 38 wins, and they have drawn 62 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi played each other?
Our database records 171 games between them, from Feb 2007 to May 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (12 games), followed by the Indian Defense (7). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.