Yuri S Balashov vs Rafael A Vaganian
GM Yuri S Balashov (2376) · GM Rafael A Vaganian (2442)
Yuri S Balashov and Rafael A Vaganian have played 17 recorded games against each other, the first in Dec 1970 and the most recent in Mar 2026. Balashov leads 7 wins to 3, with 7 draws (59% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the King's Indian Attack (1 games). The average game between them lasted 36 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Balashov | Draws | Vaganian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balashov with White | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| Vaganian with White | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Balashov | Draws | Vaganian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 17 | 7 | 7 | 3 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Balashov | Draws | Vaganian |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C00 | King's Indian Attack | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C06 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C07 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| C09 | French: Tarrasch Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C43 | Petrov's Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D56 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D58 | Indian Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A11 | Réti Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | Aeroflot Open Legends |
| Nov 2019 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense | 29th Wch Seniors 65 |
| Jun 2018 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 0-1 | Queen's Indian Defense | Minsk Kupreichik Memorial |
| Jan 1989 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | ch-URS 56 |
| Apr 1983 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 0-1 | Réti Opening | ch-URS 50 Final |
| Dec 1980 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 0-1 | Bogo-Indian Defense | ch-URS48 Final |
| Sep 1980 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | Chigorin Memorial-14 |
| Dec 1979 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Attack | ch-URS47 Final |
| Sep 1979 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Interzonal-11b |
| Jan 1978 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Zonal Lvov |
| Jul 1977 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | October Revolution 60years |
| Dec 1976 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-URS44 Final |
| Aug 1975 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 0-1 | English Opening | Zonal Vilnius |
| Jan 1975 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1/2-1/2 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-URS 43 Final |
| Dec 1974 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | ch-URS 42 Final |
| Oct 1971 | Yuri S Balashov | Rafael A Vaganian | 1-0 | French: Tarrasch Variation | ch-URS39 Final |
| Dec 1970 | Rafael A Vaganian | Yuri S Balashov | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | ch-URS38 Final |
Interactive board, all 17 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Yuri S Balashov and Rafael A Vaganian?
In 17 recorded games, Yuri S Balashov has 7 wins, Rafael A Vaganian has 3 wins, and they have drawn 7 times.
How many times have Yuri S Balashov and Rafael A Vaganian played each other?
Our database records 17 games between them, from Dec 1970 to Mar 2026.
What openings do Yuri S Balashov and Rafael A Vaganian play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the King's Indian Attack (1 games), followed by the French: Tarrasch Variation (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.