Michael Adams vs Alexei Shirov
GM Michael Adams (2622) · GM Alexei Shirov (2601)
Michael Adams and Alexei Shirov have played 51 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 1990 and the most recent in May 2022. Adams leads 11 wins to 17 - trailing overall, with 23 draws (55% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (5 games). The average game between them lasted 43 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Adams | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams with White | 28 | 6 | 16 | 6 |
| Shirov with White | 23 | 5 | 7 | 11 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Adams | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 46 | 10 | 23 | 13 |
| Blitz | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Adams | Draws | Shirov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C78 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| A57 | Benoni Defense | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| B66 | Sicilian | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| B08 | Modern Defense | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Most recent 30 of 51 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2022 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 27th Sigeman & Co |
| Sep 2017 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Douglas IoM Open |
| Sep 2014 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 30th EU-Cup |
| Aug 2014 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Olympiad-41 |
| Nov 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2nd Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Trompowsky Attack | 2nd Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | 16th chT-EU |
| Jun 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Candidates sf |
| Jun 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Candidates sf |
| Jun 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Italian Game | Candidates sf |
| Jun 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Candidates sf |
| Jun 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Candidates sf |
| May 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Queen's Indian Defense | Candidates sf |
| May 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Candidates sf |
| May 2007 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense | Candidates sf |
| May 2007 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | Candidates sf |
| May 2004 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | chT-FRA Poule Haute |
| Jan 2004 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Corus |
| Feb 2003 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Reykjavik Hrokurinn |
| Mar 2002 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 19th Linares |
| Feb 2002 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 19th Linares |
| Nov 2001 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Petrov's Defense | 13th chT-EU |
| Jan 2001 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Corus |
| May 2000 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | 30th Sarajevo Bosnia |
| May 1999 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Bishop's Opening | 29th Sarajevo Bosnia |
| Jul 1998 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | 26th Dortmund SuperGM |
| Jan 1998 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Hoogovens |
| Jan 1998 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 0-1 | Trompowsky Attack | Hoogovens Blitz |
| Oct 1997 | Alexei Shirov | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Bundesliga 1997-98 |
| Oct 1997 | Michael Adams | Alexei Shirov | 1/2-1/2 | King's Gambit | Tilburg Fontys |
Interactive board, all 51 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Michael Adams and Alexei Shirov?
In 51 recorded games, Michael Adams has 11 wins, Alexei Shirov has 17 wins, and they have drawn 23 times.
How many times have Michael Adams and Alexei Shirov played each other?
Our database records 51 games between them, from Jan 1990 to May 2022.
What openings do Michael Adams and Alexei Shirov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (5 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Closed (4). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.