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Viswanathan Anand vs Ruslan Ponomariov

GM Viswanathan Anand (2739) · GM Ruslan Ponomariov (2632)

11
Anand wins
21
draws
3
Ponomariov wins
35
games

Viswanathan Anand and Ruslan Ponomariov have played 35 recorded games against each other, the first in Mar 2002 and the most recent in Oct 2021. Anand leads 11 wins to 3, with 21 draws (40% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games). The average game between them lasted 43 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesAnandDrawsPonomariov
Anand with White17881
Ponomariov with White183132

Results by time format

FormatGamesAnandDrawsPonomariov
Classical269161
Rapid5230
Blitz4022

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesAnandDrawsPonomariov
B90Sicilian: Najdorf3120
D76Indian Defense2020
C18French: Winawer Variation2110
B32Sicilian2110
C89Ruy Lopez: Closed2110
E05Catalan2020
B49Sicilian1010
B33Sicilian: Sveshnikov1001

Most recent 30 of 35 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Oct 2021Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: Berlin DefenseBundesliga 1920
Sep 2014Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense7th Grand Slam Final
Sep 2014Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation7th Grand Slam Final
Jan 2011Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand0-1Sicilian: Najdorf73rd Tata Steel Masters
Nov 2009Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov0-1Sicilian: Scheveningen4th World Blitz
Nov 2009Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Indian Defense4th World Blitz
Nov 2009Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Indian Defense4th Moscow Tal Memorial
Aug 2009Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Grünfeld DefenseZuerich Champions Rapid
Nov 2007Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1-0Semi-Slav Defense2nd Wch Blitz
Nov 2007Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Indian Defense2nd Wch Blitz
Jul 2007Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2French: Winawer Variation20th Leon
Jul 2007Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand0-1Ruy Lopez: Closed20th Leon
Jul 2007Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0French: Winawer Variation20th Leon
Jul 2007Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Catalan20th Leon
Jan 2007Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2CatalanCorus
May 2006Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Queen's Indian Defense2nd Sofia MTel Masters
May 2006Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Caro-Kann: Classical2nd Sofia MTel Masters
May 2005Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2English Opening1st Sofia MTel Masters
May 2005Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Petrov's Defense1st Sofia MTel Masters
Jan 2005Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Sicilian: NajdorfCorus
Oct 2003Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: ClosedCap d'Agde KO
Oct 2003Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand0-1Queen's Indian DefenseCap d'Agde KO
Mar 2003Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Sicilian: Rossolimo20th Linares
Feb 2003Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense20th Linares
Jan 2003Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0SicilianCorus
Aug 2002Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2SicilianDuel of the Champions
Aug 2002Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Queen's Gambit AcceptedDuel of the Champions
Aug 2002Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: ClosedDuel of the Champions
Aug 2002Viswanathan AnandRuslan Ponomariov1-0Sicilian: NajdorfDuel of the Champions
Aug 2002Ruslan PonomariovViswanathan Anand1/2-1/2Sicilian: NajdorfDuel of the Champions
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Viswanathan Anand and Ruslan Ponomariov?

In 35 recorded games, Viswanathan Anand has 11 wins, Ruslan Ponomariov has 3 wins, and they have drawn 21 times.

How many times have Viswanathan Anand and Ruslan Ponomariov played each other?

Our database records 35 games between them, from Mar 2002 to Oct 2021.

What openings do Viswanathan Anand and Ruslan Ponomariov play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Najdorf (3 games), followed by the Indian Defense (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.