About This Game
This middlegame battle sees R Ponomariov take on Magnus Carlsen at 73rd Tata Steel GMA in 2011. It was played in round 4. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
The game opened with English Opening (A15), a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.
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.
Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.
In the end, the game was drawn between R Ponomariov 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 R Ponomariov (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 73rd Tata Steel GMA in 2011.
What opening was played?
The game used English Opening (ECO code A15). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.
What was the result?
The game was drawn between R Ponomariov and Magnus Carlsen.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 32 moves (63 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.