Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Alexey Sarana
GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735) · GM Alexey Sarana (2664)
Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexey Sarana have played 16 recorded games against each other, the first in Sep 2018 and the most recent in Feb 2026. Nepomniachtchi leads 7 wins to 4, with 5 draws (69% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Najdorf (4 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Nepomniachtchi | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Sarana with White | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Nepomniachtchi | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 13 | 6 | 4 | 3 |
| Rapid | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Classical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Nepomniachtchi | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| B50 | Sicilian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| B95 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| D80 | Grünfeld Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| E02 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| E06 | Catalan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| E25 | Nimzo-Indian: Kmoch Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| E36 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2026 | Alexey Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Grünfeld Defense | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Titled Tue |
| Jan 2026 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Aug 2025 | A Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Kmoch Variation | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | A Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Titled Tue Early |
| Jun 2025 | A Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Apr 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | A Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | FIDE World Bl Team Final |
| Dec 2023 | Alexey Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Dutch Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Dec 2022 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | Wch Rapid |
| Mar 2022 | Alexey Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Titled Tue Early |
| Mar 2022 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Chess.com Rapid Wk4 Swiss |
| Dec 2021 | Alexey Sarana | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Wch Blitz |
| Dec 2019 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Wch Blitz |
| Sep 2018 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | ch-RUS 71st |
Interactive board, all 16 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexey Sarana?
In 16 recorded games, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 7 wins, Alexey Sarana has 4 wins, and they have drawn 5 times.
How many times have Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexey Sarana played each other?
Our database records 16 games between them, from Sep 2018 to Feb 2026.
What openings do Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexey Sarana play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Najdorf (4 games), followed by the Sicilian (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.