About This Game
Magnus Carlsen and KR Johansen met over the board in this middlegame battle at Troll Masters in 2001. It was played in round 7. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
Play followed Modern Defense (B06) — sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.
Lasting 30 moves, the game was settled in the middlegame, where piece activity, pawn breaks and king safety all collide.
Magnus Carlsen is one of the grandmasters featured in the RamaChess archive, where you can browse their complete game collection, favourite openings and notable wins.
Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.
When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces. Step through the moves on the interactive board above and try the position trainer to sharpen your own play.
Frequently asked questions
Who played this game?
This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and KR Johansen (Black), at Troll Masters in 2001.
What opening was played?
The game used Modern Defense (ECO code B06). Sharp, double-edged play.
What was the result?
Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 30 moves (59 plies).
Can I replay this game move by move?
Yes. Use the interactive board on this page to step through every move, or open the analyser and Practice mode.
Where can I find more games like this?
Browse the full Modern Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.