Pentala Harikrishna vs Ruslan Ponomariov
GM Pentala Harikrishna (2655) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)
Pentala Harikrishna and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 24 recorded games against each other, the first in Dec 2005 and the most recent in Apr 2026. Harikrishna leads 3 wins to 3, with 18 draws (25% 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 | Harikrishna | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harikrishna with White | 10 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| Ponomariov with White | 14 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Harikrishna | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 18 | 2 | 15 | 1 |
| Blitz | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Rapid | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Harikrishna | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| E32 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| E05 | Catalan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A21 | Réti Opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B84 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C09 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B19 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C55 | Italian Game | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | V Menorca Cerrado 2026 |
| Apr 2026 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Neo-Catalan | V Menorca Cerrado 2026 |
| Mar 2026 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | TCh-CZE Extraliga 2025-26 |
| Oct 2024 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | chT-POL Ekstraliga 2024 |
| Jan 2024 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | TCh-CZE Extraliga 2023-24 |
| Dec 2023 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | chT-CZE 2324 |
| Oct 2023 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Mar 2023 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | chT-CZE 2223 |
| Apr 2018 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | chT-CZE 1718 |
| Aug 2017 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 0-1 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 50th Biel GM |
| Mar 2016 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | China Elite Mind blitz |
| Feb 2016 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 0-1 | Sicilian: Taimanov | China Elite Mind blitz |
| Feb 2016 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | China Elite Mind rapid |
| Apr 2015 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 10th WchT |
| Dec 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Beijing Sportaccord Basque |
| Dec 2014 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Basque |
| Dec 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Slav Defense | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Beijing Sportaccord Blitz |
| Dec 2014 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Classical Variation | Beijing Sportaccord Rapid |
| Nov 2012 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | chT-ESP CECLUB Honor |
| Nov 2011 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | chT-ESP CECLUB Honor |
| Sep 2009 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Semi-Slav Defense | chT-ESP Honor Gp2 |
| Jun 2006 | Pentala Harikrishna | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | Foros Aerosvit |
| Dec 2005 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Classical | 15th Pamplona |
Interactive board, all 24 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Pentala Harikrishna and Ruslan Ponomariov?
In 24 recorded games, Pentala Harikrishna has 3 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 3 wins, and they have drawn 18 times.
How many times have Pentala Harikrishna and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?
Our database records 24 games between them, from Dec 2005 to Apr 2026.
What openings do Pentala Harikrishna 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.