Loek Van Wely vs Alexei Shirov
GM Loek Van Wely (2640) · GM Alexei Shirov (2601)
Loek Van Wely and Alexei Shirov have played 48 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1989 and the most recent in Mar 2026. Wely leads 10 wins to 27 - trailing overall, with 11 draws (77% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Najdorf (6 games). The average game between them lasted 45 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Wely | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wely with White | 26 | 4 | 10 | 12 |
| Shirov with White | 22 | 6 | 1 | 15 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Wely | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 35 | 7 | 8 | 20 |
| Rapid | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Blitz | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Wely | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B81 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| D85 | Indian Defense | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| D19 | Slav Defense | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| D44 | Slav Defense | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| D27 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Most recent 30 of 48 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Bundesliga 2025-26 |
| Dec 2019 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Bundesliga 1920 |
| Nov 2015 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | 16th Puhajarve rap Open |
| May 2015 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Rabat Blitz Marathon 6th |
| Mar 2014 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Slav Defense | Latvian Railway Open |
| Sep 2010 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Slav Defense | Olympiad-39 |
| Jan 2010 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Corus |
| Jun 2008 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Grünfeld Defense | Foros Aerosvit 3rd |
| Jun 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Foros Aerosvit |
| Jan 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Corus |
| Apr 2006 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian | Bundesliga 2005-06 |
| Apr 2005 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Bundesliga 2004-05 |
| Mar 2005 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Slav Defense | 14th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2005 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 14th Amber Blindfold |
| May 2004 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Bundesliga 2003-04 Playoff |
| Apr 2004 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 0-1 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 13th Amber Rapid |
| Apr 2004 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Slav Defense | 13th Amber Blindfold |
| Jan 2004 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Corus |
| Mar 2003 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 12th Amber Blindfold |
| Mar 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 12th Amber Rapid |
| Feb 2003 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian | Bundesliga 2002-03 |
| Jan 2003 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | Corus |
| Mar 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 11th Amber Blindfold |
| Mar 2002 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Semi-Slav Defense | 11th Amber Rapid |
| Mar 2001 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | 10th Amber Blindfold |
| Mar 2001 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | French Defense | 10th Amber Rapid |
| Jan 2001 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | French: Advance Variation | Corus |
| Nov 2000 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Olympiad-34 |
| Aug 2000 | Alexei Shirov | Loek Van Wely | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 37th Rubinstein Memorial |
| Mar 2000 | Loek Van Wely | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 09th Amber Blindfold |
Interactive board, all 48 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Loek Van Wely and Alexei Shirov?
In 48 recorded games, Loek Van Wely has 10 wins, Alexei Shirov has 27 wins, and they have drawn 11 times.
How many times have Loek Van Wely and Alexei Shirov played each other?
Our database records 48 games between them, from Jan 1989 to Mar 2026.
What openings do Loek Van Wely and Alexei Shirov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Najdorf (6 games), followed by the Indian Defense (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.