About This Game
Magnus Carlsen and H Stefansson met over the board in this marathon at 21st Open in 2004. It was played in round 8. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
From Indian Defenses (A45) the players entered a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.
At 79 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.
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, H Stefansson 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 Magnus Carlsen (White) and H Stefansson (Black), at 21st Open in 2004.
What opening was played?
The game used Indian Defenses (ECO code A45). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.
What was the result?
H Stefansson won with the black pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 79 moves (158 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 Indian Defenses collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.