About This Game
This middlegame battle sees J Smeets take on Magnus Carlsen at GMC in 2004. It was played in round 13. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
Play followed Sicilian Defense (B76) — sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.
Lasting 32 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.
Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.
After the contest, the game was drawn between J Smeets and Magnus Carlsen. Use the board above to replay every move, switch to the analyser for engine evaluation, or open Practice mode to test your own ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Who played this game?
This game was played between J Smeets (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at GMC in 2004.
What opening was played?
The game used Sicilian Defense (ECO code B76). Sharp, double-edged play.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between J Smeets and Magnus Carlsen.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 32 moves (64 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 Sicilian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.