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Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura

GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792)

139
Carlsen wins
179
draws
78
Nakamura wins
396
games

Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura have played 396 recorded games against each other, the first in Jul 2005 and the most recent in Jan 2026. Carlsen leads 139 wins to 78, with 179 draws (55% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (21 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesCarlsenDrawsNakamura
Carlsen with White204878433
Nakamura with White192529545

Results by time format

FormatGamesCarlsenDrawsNakamura
Blitz30811112869
Classical5316334
Rapid3512185

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesCarlsenDrawsNakamura
C65Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense211272
D37Indian Defense171043
C67Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense161123
A01Nimzovich-Larsen attack9153
B06Modern Defense8431
D11Slav Defense6321
A07Réti Opening: Double Fianchetto5221
C54Italian Game: Classical Variation5230

Most recent 30 of 396 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Jan 2026Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Sicilian2nd 3-0 Thursday
Jan 2026Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Indian Defense1st 3-0 Thursday
Jan 2026Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1Sicilian: RossolimoTitled Tue
Dec 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Four Knights Game: Scotch VariationTitled Tue
Dec 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Nimzovich-Larsen attackTitled Tue
Dec 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen0-1Sicilian: NajdorfTitled Tue
Nov 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1Nimzo-Indian: Kmoch Variation1st 3-0 Thursday
Nov 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen0-1Sicilian2nd 3-0 Thursday
Nov 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1Italian GameTitled Tue
Nov 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1Nimzovich-Larsen attackTitled Tue
Oct 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated DragonClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Four Knights GameClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated DragonClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen0-1PhilidorClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin VariationClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: Berlin DefenseClutch Chess: Champions
Oct 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Italian GameTitled Tue
Sep 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1English Opening: Reverse SicilianTitled Tue
Sep 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0London SystemTitled Tue
Aug 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen0-1Scandinavian Defense: Main LineTitled Tue Late
Aug 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Orangutan openingTitled Tue Early
Aug 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Four Knights GameTitled Tue Late
Jul 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0King's Indian Defense: Orthodox VariationEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen0-1CatalanEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1/2-1/2Four Knights Game: Spanish VariationEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1King's Indian Defense: Orthodox VariationEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen1-0CatalanEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura1-0Queen's GambitEsports World Cup
Jul 2025Hikaru NakamuraMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Queen's Gambit DeclinedEsports World Cup
Jun 2025Magnus CarlsenHikaru Nakamura0-1English Opening: Reverse SicilianTitled Tue Late
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura?

In 396 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 139 wins, Hikaru Nakamura has 78 wins, and they have drawn 179 times.

How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura played each other?

Our database records 396 games between them, from Jul 2005 to Jan 2026.

What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (21 games), followed by the Indian Defense (17). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.