Ruslan Ponomariov vs Yuriy Kuzubov
GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632) · GM Yuriy Kuzubov (2603)
Ruslan Ponomariov and Yuriy Kuzubov have played 19 recorded games against each other, the first in Jul 2012 and the most recent in Nov 2025. Ponomariov leads 4 wins to 7 - trailing overall, with 8 draws (58% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Petrov's Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 47 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Ponomariov | Draws | Kuzubov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponomariov with White | 11 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Kuzubov with White | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Ponomariov | Draws | Kuzubov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 13 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Classical | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| Rapid | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Ponomariov | Draws | Kuzubov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A40 | Modern Defense | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| D00 | Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| A40 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B72 | Dunst Opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C00 | Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| C03 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | TCh-CZE Extraliga 2025-26 |
| Apr 2025 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | II Estiko Blitz |
| Apr 2025 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Tartu Open Rapid |
| Aug 2023 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1/2-1/2 | Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation | chT-ESP CECLUB Div1 |
| Nov 2021 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Lindores Abbey Blitz Tal Memorial |
| Nov 2021 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Lindores Abbey Blitz Tal Memorial |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 0-1 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 0-1 | Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Pawn Game: Chigorin Variation | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Modern Defense | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 0-1 | Dunst Opening | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | Modern Defense | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | French: Winawer Variation | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | May 27th Gladiators |
| May 2020 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | May 27th Gladiators |
| Dec 2018 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | ch-UKR 87th |
| Nov 2014 | Yuriy Kuzubov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Sicilian | ch-UKR 83rd |
| Jul 2012 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Yuriy Kuzubov | 0-1 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-UKR 81st |
Interactive board, all 19 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Ruslan Ponomariov and Yuriy Kuzubov?
In 19 recorded games, Ruslan Ponomariov has 4 wins, Yuriy Kuzubov has 7 wins, and they have drawn 8 times.
How many times have Ruslan Ponomariov and Yuriy Kuzubov played each other?
Our database records 19 games between them, from Jul 2012 to Nov 2025.
What openings do Ruslan Ponomariov and Yuriy Kuzubov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Petrov's Defense (2 games), followed by the Modern Defense (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.