Hikaru Nakamura vs Levon Aronian
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Levon Aronian (2724)
Hikaru Nakamura and Levon Aronian have played 217 recorded games against each other, the first in Mar 2003 and the most recent in Jan 2026. Nakamura leads 77 wins to 48, with 92 draws (58% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (16 games). The average game between them lasted 50 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Aronian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 105 | 43 | 47 | 15 |
| Aronian with White | 112 | 34 | 45 | 33 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Aronian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 129 | 54 | 48 | 27 |
| Classical | 47 | 8 | 24 | 15 |
| Rapid | 41 | 15 | 20 | 6 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Aronian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 16 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| D02 | London System | 9 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| D37 | Indian Defense | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| E05 | Catalan | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| C27 | Vienna Game | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 217 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Bishop's Opening | Titled Tue |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | French Defense | Titled Tue |
| Jul 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Esports World Cup |
| Jul 2025 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Esports World Cup |
| Jul 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Esports World Cup |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Colle System | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | French: Exchange Variation | American Cup Blitz |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | French: Exchange Variation | Champions Showdown Kings |
| Mar 2025 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Champions Showdown Kings |
| Mar 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | French: Exchange Variation | Champions Showdown Kings |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Réti Opening: Double Fianchetto | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | French: Tarrasch Variation | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Grand Prix Attack | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Aug 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | King's Indian Attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Anderssen's opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Dec 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Vienna Game | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Vienna Game | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | London System | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | King's Indian Attack | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2022 | Levon Aronian | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Indian Defense | Speed Chess |
Interactive board, all 217 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Levon Aronian?
In 217 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 77 wins, Levon Aronian has 48 wins, and they have drawn 92 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Levon Aronian played each other?
Our database records 217 games between them, from Mar 2003 to Jan 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Levon Aronian play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (16 games), followed by the London System (9). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.