Levon Aronian vs Ruslan Ponomariov
GM Levon Aronian (2724) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)
Levon Aronian and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 32 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1994 and the most recent in Dec 2025. Aronian leads 13 wins to 3, with 16 draws (50% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Closed (3 games). The average game between them lasted 48 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Aronian | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aronian with White | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 |
| Ponomariov with White | 16 | 4 | 9 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Aronian | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 18 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| Blitz | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Rapid | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Aronian | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A45 | London System | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A85 | Dutch Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A88 | English Opening: Dutch Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B07 | Pirc Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B53 | Sicilian | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 32 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Bishop's Opening | World Blitz 2025 |
| Oct 2023 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Apr 2015 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | English Opening | 10th WchT |
| Dec 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Anti-Grünfeld | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Pawn Game | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Rapid |
| Sep 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | 7th Grand Slam Final |
| Sep 2014 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Indian Defense | 7th Grand Slam Final |
| Dec 2013 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Dutch Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Basque |
| Dec 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Basque |
| Dec 2013 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | English Opening: Dutch Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Benoni Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Rapid |
| Jan 2011 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | 73rd Tata Steel Masters |
| Nov 2010 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2010 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | London System | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Mar 2010 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | English Opening | 19th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2010 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | 19th Amber Blindfold |
| Nov 2009 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 4th World Blitz |
| Nov 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 4th World Blitz |
| Nov 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Grünfeld Defense | 4th Moscow Tal Memorial |
| Jan 2007 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Corus |
| Nov 2006 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Moscow Tal Memorial 1st |
| Apr 2006 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 13th chT-RUS |
| Dec 2005 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | FIDE World Cup |
| Dec 2005 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Indian Defense | FIDE World Cup |
| Dec 2005 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | FIDE World Cup |
| Dec 2005 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Levon Aronian | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | FIDE World Cup |
| Jun 2001 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Pirc Defense | 2nd ch-EU |
| May 2001 | Levon Aronian | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Modern Defense | 3rd Lausanne YM |
Interactive board, all 32 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Levon Aronian and Ruslan Ponomariov?
In 32 recorded games, Levon Aronian has 13 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 3 wins, and they have drawn 16 times.
How many times have Levon Aronian and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?
Our database records 32 games between them, from Jan 1994 to Dec 2025.
What openings do Levon Aronian and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Closed (3 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.