Pavel Eljanov vs Ruslan Ponomariov
GM Pavel Eljanov (2664) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)
Pavel Eljanov and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 30 recorded games against each other, the first in Feb 1995 and the most recent in Sep 2025. Eljanov leads 2 wins to 17 - trailing overall, with 11 draws (63% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 42 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Eljanov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eljanov with White | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Ponomariov with White | 15 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Eljanov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 19 | 0 | 9 | 10 |
| Blitz | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Eljanov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| E39 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| D00 | London System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A13 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A85 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B07 | London System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A40 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B10 | Caro-Kann | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Oct 2021 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Réti Opening: Double Fianchetto | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Jul 2021 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Dortmund GER Grand Prix |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 0-1 | Bird's opening | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Queen's Pawn Game | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Symmetrical | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Vienna Game | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Gladiators May 10th |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Caro-Kann | Gladiators May 10th |
| Nov 2014 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | ch-UKR 83rd |
| Jun 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | ch-UKR 82nd |
| Jul 2012 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Four Knights | ch-UKR 81st |
| Oct 2011 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | Saratov Governor's Cup |
| Jun 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | ch-UKR 80th |
| Nov 2010 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | London System | 5th Wch Blitz |
| Nov 2010 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | London System | 5th Wch Blitz |
| May 2010 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Catalan | Astrakhan FIDE GP |
| Mar 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Kharkov Rector Cup Champions Match 11th |
| Mar 2009 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Kharkov Rector Cup Champions Match 11th |
| Mar 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Kharkov Rector Cup Champions Match 11th |
| Mar 2009 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | English Defense | Kharkov Rector Cup Champions Match 11th |
| Nov 2008 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | chT-ESP semifinal |
| Aug 2008 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Moscow Tal Memorial Blitz |
| Aug 2008 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Moscow Tal Memorial Blitz |
| Mar 2008 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | London System | Kharkov Champions Match |
| Oct 2007 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | 23rd EU-Cup |
| Apr 2001 | Pavel Eljanov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Kharkov Rector Cup 3rd |
| Apr 2001 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Kharkov Rector Cup 3rd |
| Feb 1995 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pavel Eljanov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | ch-UKR U12 final |
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Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Pavel Eljanov and Ruslan Ponomariov?
In 30 recorded games, Pavel Eljanov has 2 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 17 wins, and they have drawn 11 times.
How many times have Pavel Eljanov and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?
Our database records 30 games between them, from Feb 1995 to Sep 2025.
What openings do Pavel Eljanov and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (2 games), followed by the Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.