About This Game
L Van Wely and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this middlegame battle at Corus A in 2009. It was played in round 7. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
Play followed English Opening (A17) — a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.
Lasting 37 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.
After the contest, the game was drawn between L Van Wely and Magnus Carlsen. 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 L Van Wely (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Corus A in 2009.
What opening was played?
The game used English Opening (ECO code A17). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between L Van Wely and Magnus Carlsen.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 37 moves (73 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 English Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.