About This Game
In this encounter J Hammer had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at WYb14 in 2003. It was played in round 1. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
From Pirc Defense (B07) the players entered sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.
The game was a sharp, short fight of 17 moves. Decisive games like this often hinge on a single tactical idea, making them good study material for spotting mistakes early.
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.
Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.
When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the black 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 J Hammer (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at WYb14 in 2003.
What opening was played?
The game used Pirc Defense (ECO code B07). Sharp, double-edged play.
What was the result?
Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 17 moves (34 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 Pirc Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.