Veselin Topalov vs Ruslan Ponomariov
GM Veselin Topalov (2695) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)
Veselin Topalov and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 25 recorded games against each other, the first in Aug 1999 and the most recent in Nov 2019. Topalov leads 9 wins to 3, with 13 draws (48% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Moscow Variation (2 games). The average game between them lasted 51 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Topalov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topalov with White | 14 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| Ponomariov with White | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Topalov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Rapid | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Topalov | Draws | Ponomariov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A32 | English Opening | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A65 | King's Indian Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B48 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B67 | Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B84 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A28 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2019 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Salamanca Uni 9th |
| May 2013 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Thessaloniki FIDE GP |
| Apr 2013 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Zug FIDE GP |
| Aug 2009 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Catalan | Zuerich Champions Rapid |
| Aug 2008 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 23rd Villarrobledo Open |
| Nov 2007 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Chess Champions League |
| Nov 2007 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Chess Champions League |
| Jan 2007 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense | Corus |
| May 2006 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2nd Sofia MTel Masters |
| May 2006 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 2nd Sofia MTel Masters |
| May 2005 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | 1st Sofia MTel Masters |
| May 2005 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Catalan | 1st Sofia MTel Masters |
| Jan 2005 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Taimanov | Corus |
| Oct 2003 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Cap d'Agde A |
| Jun 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 16th Leon |
| Jun 2003 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | 16th Leon |
| Jun 2003 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Benoni Defense | 16th Leon |
| Jun 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 0-1 | French: Winawer Variation | 16th Leon |
| Jan 2003 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Corus |
| Aug 1999 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening | FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 |
| Aug 1999 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Pawn Game | FIDE Wch Knockout g/15+10 |
| Aug 1999 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | FIDE Wch Knockout g/15+10 |
| Aug 1999 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | FIDE-Wch k.o. g/25+10 |
| Aug 1999 | Veselin Topalov | Ruslan Ponomariov | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Accepted | FIDE-Wch k.o. |
| Aug 1999 | Ruslan Ponomariov | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | FIDE-Wch k.o. |
Interactive board, all 25 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Veselin Topalov and Ruslan Ponomariov?
In 25 recorded games, Veselin Topalov has 9 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 3 wins, and they have drawn 13 times.
How many times have Veselin Topalov and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?
Our database records 25 games between them, from Aug 1999 to Nov 2019.
What openings do Veselin Topalov and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Moscow Variation (2 games), followed by the English Opening (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.