Larry Christiansen vs Joel Benjamin
GM Larry Christiansen (2563) · GM Joel Benjamin (2471)
Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin have played 36 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1981 and the most recent in Jul 2025. Christiansen leads 10 wins to 6, with 20 draws (44% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Rat Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 39 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Christiansen | Draws | Benjamin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christiansen with White | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| Benjamin with White | 24 | 6 | 15 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Christiansen | Draws | Benjamin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 28 | 8 | 15 | 5 |
| Blitz | 8 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Christiansen | Draws | Benjamin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A41 | Rat Defense | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| E13 | Queen's Indian Defense | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| B08 | Pirc Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Fantasy Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A14 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 36 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2025 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2024 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 0-1 | Alekhine Defense | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2022 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | ch-USA Seniors |
| Jul 2021 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Four Pawns Attack | ch-USA Seniors |
| Oct 2020 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | USA-ch Seniors 50 |
| Jul 2019 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | USA-ch Seniors 50 |
| Oct 2010 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Fantasy Variation | USA tt |
| Sep 2010 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Rat Defense | USA tt |
| Sep 2008 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1-0 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | USA tt |
| Oct 2007 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | USA tt |
| Jan 2002 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | ch-USA |
| Sep 2000 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 0-1 | Nimzowitsch Defense: Kennedy Variation | ch-USA |
| Jul 1998 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 0-1 | Petrov's Defense | San Francisco Mechanics |
| Sep 1997 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | ch-USA fin |
| Sep 1997 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Philidor | ch-USA fin |
| Sep 1997 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 0-1 | Pirc Defense | ch-USA fin |
| Sep 1997 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | French: Advance Variation | ch-USA fin |
| Sep 1997 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | ch-USA fin |
| Sep 1997 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1-0 | Slav Defense | ch-USA fin |
| Aug 1997 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-USA G1 |
| Jan 1996 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | Rat Defense | ch-USA |
| Jan 1994 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | ch-USA |
| Jan 1993 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | ch-USA |
| Jan 1991 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 0-1 | Queen's Indian Defense | San Francisco |
| Jan 1990 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1-0 | King's Indian: Sämisch | USA-ch m |
| Jan 1990 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | USA-ch m |
| Jan 1989 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Four Knights | 17th World Open |
| Jan 1987 | Larry Christiansen | Joel Benjamin | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | ch-USA |
| Jan 1987 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 1/2-1/2 | Dunst Opening | Interzonal 14b |
| Jan 1986 | Joel Benjamin | Larry Christiansen | 0-1 | Queen's Indian Defense | 87th US Open |
Interactive board, all 36 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin?
In 36 recorded games, Larry Christiansen has 10 wins, Joel Benjamin has 6 wins, and they have drawn 20 times.
How many times have Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin played each other?
Our database records 36 games between them, from Jan 1981 to Jul 2025.
What openings do Larry Christiansen and Joel Benjamin play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Rat Defense (2 games), followed by the Queen's Indian Defense (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.