Hikaru Nakamura vs Ruslan Ponomariov
GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)
Hikaru Nakamura and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 25 recorded games against each other, the first in Feb 2006 and the most recent in Jul 2026. Nakamura leads 10 wins to 3, with 12 draws (52% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nakamura with White | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
| Ponomariov with White | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| Classical | 9 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Rapid | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nakamura | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D31 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A17 | Réti Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A80 | Dutch Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A88 | Dutch Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B81 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A70 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Four Knights Game: Glek System | 2026 Naroditsky Memorial Rapid & Blitz | Blitz |
| Jul 2024 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Réti Opening | CrunchLab Masters PlayIn |
| Sep 2016 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Benoni Defense | Olympiad-42 |
| Oct 2013 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Paris FIDE GP |
| Jun 2013 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Richter-Veresov Attack | Thessaloniki FIDE GP |
| Apr 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Zug FIDE GP |
| Jul 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 39th Dortmund SuperGM |
| Jul 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | 39th Dortmund SuperGM |
| May 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 Rapid |
| May 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 Rapid |
| May 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Saint Louis Match 1 Rapid |
| May 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Dutch Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 Rapid |
| May 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| May 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| May 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| May 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| May 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| May 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Saint Louis Match 1 |
| Jan 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | 73rd Tata Steel Masters |
| Nov 2010 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | King's Indian Attack | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2010 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Dutch Defense | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Jul 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Donostia-A Playoff |
| Jul 2009 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | Donostia-A Playoff |
| Jul 2009 | Hikaru Nakamura | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Donostia A |
| Feb 2006 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Cuernavaca Young Masters |
Interactive board, all 25 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Hikaru Nakamura and Ruslan Ponomariov?
In 25 recorded games, Hikaru Nakamura has 10 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 3 wins, and they have drawn 12 times.
How many times have Hikaru Nakamura and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?
Our database records 25 games between them, from Feb 2006 to Jul 2026.
What openings do Hikaru Nakamura and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense (2 games), followed by the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.