Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (2713) · GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735)
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi have played 122 recorded games against each other, the first in Oct 2003 and the most recent in Dec 2025. Vachier-Lagrave leads 38 wins to 30, with 54 draws (56% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Petrov's Defense (8 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Vachier-Lagrave | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vachier-Lagrave with White | 63 | 20 | 27 | 16 |
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 59 | 18 | 27 | 14 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Vachier-Lagrave | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 76 | 26 | 25 | 25 |
| Classical | 23 | 7 | 15 | 1 |
| Rapid | 23 | 5 | 14 | 4 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Vachier-Lagrave | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| B92 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| B06 | Modern Defense | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| B31 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| D87 | Grünfeld Defense | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| A33 | English Opening | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 122 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Anti-Grünfeld | World Blitz 2025 |
| Oct 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 0-1 | Indian Defense | Titled Tue |
| May 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Chess.com Classic Losers |
| May 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Four Knights | Chess.com Classic Losers |
| May 2025 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Chess.com Classic Losers |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | CCT Final RR |
| Dec 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | CCT Final RR |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | CCT Final RR |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Julius Baer GenCup D1 L |
| Sep 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Julius Baer GenCup D1 L |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | 11th Sinquefield Cup |
| Aug 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Aug 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Jul 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Zagreb Superbet Blitz |
| Jul 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | Sicilian | Zagreb Superbet Blitz |
| Jul 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Zagreb Superbet Rapid |
| Jun 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Bucharest Superbet Classic 4th |
| Feb 2024 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Chessable Masters Div 1 Lose |
| Feb 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Chessable Masters Div 1 Lose |
| Feb 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Chessable Masters Div 1 Lose |
| Dec 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2023 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 10th Sinquefield Cup |
| Nov 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1-0 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Nov 2023 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Sicilian | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Nov 2023 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Sep 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | AI Cup Div 1 L |
| Sep 2023 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | AI Cup Div 1 L |
| Jun 2023 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Global Chess League |
| Jun 2023 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Global Chess League |
Interactive board, all 122 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi?
In 122 recorded games, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has 38 wins, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 30 wins, and they have drawn 54 times.
How many times have Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi played each other?
Our database records 122 games between them, from Oct 2003 to Dec 2025.
What openings do Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Petrov's Defense (8 games), followed by the Sicilian: Najdorf (7). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.