About This Game
A full-length game in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against K Drozdowski at Carlsen vs chess.com in 2014. It was played in round 1. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.
From Benoni Defense (A56) the players entered a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.
Running to 60 moves, the game moved through a full middlegame into an endgame, showing how an advantage is carried between phases.
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.
After the contest, Magnus Carlsen won with the white 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 K Drozdowski (Black), at Carlsen vs chess.com in 2014.
What opening was played?
The game used Benoni Defense (ECO code A56). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.
What was the result?
Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 60 moves (119 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 Benoni Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.