Hikaru Nakamura vs Nihal Sarin
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Nihal Sarin (2717)
Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin have played 76 recorded games against each other, the first in Nov 2018 and the most recent in Apr 2026. Nakamura leads 34 wins to 20, with 22 draws (71% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Nimzovich-Larsen attack (4 games). The average game between them lasted 50 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 41 | 21 | 11 | 9 |
| Sarin with White | 35 | 13 | 11 | 11 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 73 | 33 | 21 | 19 |
| Rapid | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Sarin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A01 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| A04 | Modern Defense | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| A48 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| A48 | Modern Defense | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A06 | Réti Opening | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| A22 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A40 | Modern Defense | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 76 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Titled Tuesday |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Comet Open Titled Winners |
| Oct 2025 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Comet Open Titled Winners |
| Oct 2025 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Comet Open Titled Winners |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Comet Open Titled Winners |
| Oct 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Colle System | Comet Open Titled Winners |
| Aug 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 0-1 | Colle System | Abu Dhabi Masters Online |
| Oct 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Titled Tue Late |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 0-1 | Vienna Game | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 0-1 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Nihal Sarin | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Bullet Chess Winners |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Nihal Sarin | 1-0 | Bishop's Opening | Bullet Chess Winners |
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 Nihal Sarin?
In 76 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 34 wins, Nihal Sarin has 20 wins, and they have drawn 22 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin played each other?
Our database records 76 games between them, from Nov 2018 to Apr 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Nimzovich-Larsen attack (4 games), followed by the Modern Defense (4). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.