Michael Adams vs Hikaru Nakamura
GM Michael Adams (2622) · GM Hikaru Nakamura (2792)
Michael Adams and Hikaru Nakamura have played 19 recorded games against each other, the first in Jun 2004 and the most recent in Jun 2025. Adams leads 2 wins to 6 - trailing overall, with 11 draws (42% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (3 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Adams | Draws | Nakamura |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams with White | 9 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| Nakamura with White | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Adams | Draws | Nakamura |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 15 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| Blitz | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Rapid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Adams | Draws | Nakamura |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| A11 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B76 | Sicilian: Dragon | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B03 | Alekhine Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B19 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A20 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A07 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2025 | Hikaru Nakamura | Mi Adams | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | FIDE World Rapid Team |
| Dec 2017 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Dragon | London Classic 9th |
| Feb 2017 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | Sharjah FIDE GP |
| Dec 2016 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 8th London Classic |
| Dec 2015 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 7th London Classic |
| Oct 2015 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 31st EU-Cup |
| Sep 2015 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | FIDE World Cup |
| Sep 2015 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Catalan | FIDE World Cup |
| Dec 2014 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Indian Defense | 6th London Classic |
| Dec 2014 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | 6th London Classic Elite Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 6th London Classic Elite Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1-0 | Réti Opening | London Classic Rapid Open 6th |
| Dec 2012 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | London Classic 4th |
| Oct 2012 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1-0 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 1st London FIDE GP |
| Dec 2011 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1-0 | King's Gambit | 3rd London Classic |
| Dec 2010 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2nd London Classic |
| Dec 2009 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | London Classic |
| Jun 2004 | Michael Adams | Hikaru Nakamura | 1/2-1/2 | Alekhine Defense | FIDE-Wch k.o. |
| Jun 2004 | Hikaru Nakamura | Michael Adams | 0-1 | Queen's Indian Defense | FIDE-Wch k.o. |
Interactive board, all 19 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Michael Adams and Hikaru Nakamura?
In 19 recorded games, Michael Adams has 2 wins, Hikaru Nakamura has 6 wins, and they have drawn 11 times.
How many times have Michael Adams and Hikaru Nakamura played each other?
Our database records 19 games between them, from Jun 2004 to Jun 2025.
What openings do Michael Adams and Hikaru Nakamura play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (3 games), followed by the Réti Opening: Keres Variation (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.