About This Game
A middlegame battle in which Sa Martinovic was paired against Magnus Carlsen at FIDE World Cup 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.
Play followed Grünfeld Defense (D85) — a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.
Lasting 34 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.
Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.
When the dust settled, 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 Sa Martinovic (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at FIDE World Cup 2021 in 2021.
What opening was played?
The game used Grünfeld Defense (ECO code D85). A fight over the centre.
What was the result?
Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.
How long was the game?
The game lasted 34 moves (68 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 Grünfeld Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.