Maksim Chigaev vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Maksim Chigaev (2648) · GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735)
Maksim Chigaev and Ian Nepomniachtchi have played 17 recorded games against each other, the first in May 2015 and the most recent in Dec 2025. Chigaev leads 2 wins to 11 - trailing overall, with 4 draws (76% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (2 games). The average game between them lasted 37 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Chigaev | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chigaev with White | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 9 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Chigaev | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Rapid | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Classical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Chigaev | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E94 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A80 | Dutch Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B48 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B50 | Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B52 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B53 | Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 0-1 | Italian Game | World Rapid 2025 |
| Jan 2025 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
| Sep 2024 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Dutch Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2024 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Titled Tue Late |
| Aug 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Julius Baer Rapid Div 2 W |
| Aug 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Julius Baer Rapid Div 2 W |
| Aug 2023 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Grünfeld Defense | Julius Baer Rapid Div 2 W |
| Feb 2023 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian: Taimanov | Airthings Masters Play In |
| Dec 2022 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1-0 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Wch Blitz |
| Aug 2022 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Chess.com Rapid Wk24 Swiss |
| Feb 2021 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Titled Tue |
| Dec 2020 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | ch-RUS 73rd |
| Sep 2020 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1/2-1/2 | Scotch Game | Titled Tue |
| Sep 2020 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | Titled Tue |
| May 2015 | Maksim Chigaev | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Bird's opening | chT-RUS blitz |
| May 2015 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maksim Chigaev | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | chT-RUS rapid |
Interactive board, all 17 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Maksim Chigaev and Ian Nepomniachtchi?
In 17 recorded games, Maksim Chigaev has 2 wins, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 11 wins, and they have drawn 4 times.
How many times have Maksim Chigaev and Ian Nepomniachtchi played each other?
Our database records 17 games between them, from May 2015 to Dec 2025.
What openings do Maksim Chigaev and Ian Nepomniachtchi play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation (2 games), followed by the English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.