About This Game
A middlegame battle in which Y Pelletier was paired against Magnus Carlsen at 41st Festival GM in 2008. It was played in round 6. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
Play followed Queen's Indian Defense (E15) — a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.
Lasting 40 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.
Replaying a complete grandmaster game shows not just the moves, but the order in which plans appear and where the balance finally tips.
In the end, 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 Y Pelletier (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 41st Festival GM in 2008.
What opening was played?
The game used Queen's Indian Defense (ECO code E15). A strategic battle of structure and activity.
What was the result?
Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 40 moves (80 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 Queen's Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.