Hikaru Nakamura vs Pavel Eljanov
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Pavel Eljanov (2664)
Hikaru Nakamura and Pavel Eljanov have played 15 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 2001 and the most recent in Jun 2025. Nakamura leads 8 wins to 4, with 3 draws (80% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Hungarian Opening (1 games). The average game between them lasted 45 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Eljanov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Eljanov with White | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Eljanov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Classical | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Rapid | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Eljanov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A00 | Hungarian Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A00 | Kadas Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A07 | Réti Opening: Double Fianchetto | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A13 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A16 | English Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A26 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A88 | Dutch Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | London System | FIDE World Rapid Team |
| Jul 2024 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Dutch Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Jun 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Titled Tue Late |
| Apr 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Trompowsky Attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2023 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Kadas Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Nov 2022 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | English Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Jul 2020 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Réti Opening: Double Fianchetto | Titled Tue |
| Oct 2018 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | Douglas IoM Open |
| Nov 2017 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | Palma de Mallorca FIDE GP |
| Sep 2015 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Catalan | FIDE World Cup |
| Sep 2015 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | FIDE World Cup |
| Nov 2010 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Hungarian Opening | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2010 | Pavel Eljanov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | English Opening | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2010 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Catalan | Moscow Tal Memorial 5th |
| Jan 2001 | Hikaru Nakamura | Pavel Eljanov | 0-1 | Trompowsky Attack | 6th Ubeda Open |
Interactive board, all 15 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Pavel Eljanov?
In 15 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 8 wins, Pavel Eljanov has 4 wins, and they have drawn 3 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Pavel Eljanov played each other?
Our database records 15 games between them, from Jan 2001 to Jun 2025.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Pavel Eljanov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Hungarian Opening (1 games), followed by the Kadas Opening (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.