Hikaru Nakamura vs Liren Ding
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Liren Ding (2738)
Hikaru Nakamura and Liren Ding have played 76 recorded games against each other, the first in Dec 2012 and the most recent in May 2025. Nakamura leads 22 wins to 14, with 40 draws (47% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Catalan (7 games). The average game between them lasted 51 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 43 | 14 | 22 | 7 |
| Ding with White | 33 | 8 | 18 | 7 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 53 | 15 | 27 | 11 |
| Classical | 12 | 2 | 9 | 1 |
| Rapid | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E05 | Catalan | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| C54 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| C54 | Italian Game | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| A07 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| A08 | Réti Opening | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Most recent 30 of 76 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Queen's Pawn Game | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| May 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Indian Defense | Chess.com Classic Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 12th Norway Chess |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 0-1 | Réti Opening | 12th Norway Chess Armageddon |
| Jun 2024 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit | 12th Norway Chess |
| Jul 2022 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Candidates Tournament |
| Jun 2022 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | Candidates Tournament |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Vienna Game | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Italian Game | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Indian Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Liren Ding | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Catalan | Speed Chess |
| Dec 2021 | Hikaru Nakamura | Liren Ding | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Speed Chess |
Interactive board, all 76 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Liren Ding?
In 76 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 22 wins, Liren Ding has 14 wins, and they have drawn 40 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Liren Ding played each other?
Our database records 76 games between them, from Dec 2012 to May 2025.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Liren Ding play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Catalan (7 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (5). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.