Joel Benjamin vs Alexander Shabalov
GM Joel Benjamin (2471) · GM Alexander Shabalov (2428)
Joel Benjamin and Alexander Shabalov have played 26 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1990 and the most recent in Jul 2025. Benjamin leads 9 wins to 5, with 12 draws (54% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Modern Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 42 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Benjamin | Draws | Shabalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin with White | 17 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
| Shabalov with White | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Benjamin | Draws | Shabalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 17 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Blitz | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Benjamin | Draws | Shabalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B06 | Modern Defense | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| A21 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C03 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B01 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B13 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A50 | Indian Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | Trompowsky Attack | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2024 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Three Knights Opening | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2023 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Kmoch Variation | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2022 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2021 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | ch-USA Seniors |
| Oct 2020 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | Réti Opening | USA-ch Seniors 50 |
| Jul 2019 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | USA-ch Seniors 50 |
| Jul 2011 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | 6th Edmonton |
| May 2009 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | ch-USA |
| Jan 2003 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | ch-USA |
| Mar 2002 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Foxwoods Open 04th |
| Jan 2002 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | Italian Game | ch-USA |
| Oct 2000 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 0-1 | Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation | ch-USA playoff |
| Oct 2000 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-USA playoff |
| Sep 2000 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-USA |
| Apr 2000 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Modern Defense | 02nd Foxwoods Open |
| May 1998 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Toronto Open |
| Jan 1996 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Exchange Variation | ch-USA |
| Jan 1994 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | Scandinavian Defense: Main Line | ch-USA playoff |
| Jan 1994 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 0-1 | Torre Attack | ch-USA playoff |
| Jan 1994 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | ch-USA |
| Jan 1993 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | ch-USA |
| Jan 1993 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Sicilian | US Open-94 |
| Jan 1993 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Scheveningen | New York Hudson |
| Jan 1992 | Alexander Shabalov | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | New York Marshall CC |
| Jan 1990 | Joel Benjamin | Alexander Shabalov | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 18th World Open |
Interactive board, all 26 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Joel Benjamin and Alexander Shabalov?
In 26 recorded games, Joel Benjamin has 9 wins, Alexander Shabalov has 5 wins, and they have drawn 12 times.
How many times have Joel Benjamin and Alexander Shabalov played each other?
Our database records 26 games between them, from Jan 1990 to Jul 2025.
What openings do Joel Benjamin and Alexander Shabalov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Modern Defense (2 games), followed by the English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.