Magnus Collection › Openings › Nimzo-Indian Defense
Opening · 238 games
Magnus Carlsen in the Nimzo-Indian Defense
238 games of Magnus Carlsen in the Nimzo-Indian Defense, 2001 to 2025: 111 wins, 97 draws, 30 losses. Every game can be replayed move by move.
Quick answer · Updated October 2026
Does Magnus Carlsen play the Nimzo-Indian Defense?
Yes. Magnus Carlsen has played the Nimzo-Indian Defense in 238 games in our database (2001–2025): 111 wins, 97 draws and 30 losses, a score of 67.0%. He had it 124 times with White (61–46–17) and 114 times with Black (50–51–13).
| Type of event | Games | Carlsen won | Drawn | Opponent won | Carlsen score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 67 | 27 | 35 | 5 | 66.4% |
| Rapid | 54 | 20 | 26 | 8 | 61.1% |
| Blitz and bullet | 74 | 44 | 19 | 11 | 72.3% |
| Knockout tie-breaks | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 62.5% |
| Armageddon | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.0% |
| Other events | 38 | 17 | 16 | 5 | 65.8% |
| All games | 238 | 111 | 97 | 30 | 67.0% |
First game in our databaseG Kacheishvili vs Magnus Carlsen · 5th OIBM · 27 October 2001 · 1-0
Latest gameMagnus Carlsen vs R Padmini · Titled Tue 2nd Dec 2025 · 2 December 2025 · 1-0
Classical games67: 27–35–5 (won–drawn–lost)
His most played move order1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O (42 games)
Busiest year2021, with 21 games
Replay all 238 gamesMagnus Carlsen profileAll Magnus openingsLearn the Nimzo-Indian DefensePractice it in the trainer
Source: the Rama Chess database of 7,484 Magnus Carlsen games, 2001 to 2025 (many of his games, not all of them). Opening names follow the ECO code of each game. The type of event is read from the event name.
The opening
The Nimzo-Indian Defense: the starting moves
In his own games the line he reached most often is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O (42 games).
Best wins
Magnus Carlsen's Nimzo-Indian Defense wins against top players
- Magnus Carlsen vs Vincent Keymer, 1-0GRENKE Chess Classic 2024 · 31 March 2024 · Classical · 73 moves
- Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana, 1-08th Norway Chess 2020 · 8 October 2020 · Classical · 51 moves
- Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin, 1-05th Norway Chess 2017 · 15 June 2017 · Classical · 44 moves
- Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, 0-1Zurich Chess Challenge 2014 · 1 February 2014 · Classical · 61 moves
- Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen, 0-1Vugar Gashimov Mem 2014 · 26 April 2014 · Classical · 27 moves
- Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, 0-1Vugar Gashimov Mem 2014 · 27 April 2014 · Classical · 52 moves
Results by year
The Nimzo-Indian Defense by year (2001–2025)
Carlsen wonDrawnOpponent won
Record · Updated October 2026
Magnus Carlsen's record in the Nimzo-Indian Defense
The Rama Chess archive holds 238 games in which Magnus Carlsen played the Nimzo-Indian Defense, from 2001 to 2025. He won 111, drew 97 and lost 30, a score of 67.0%. The games come from all time controls (classical, rapid and blitz).
He has had this opening on the board with both colours: 124 games as White (61 wins, 46 draws, 17 losses) and 114 games as Black (50 wins, 51 draws, 13 losses).
His most frequent opponents here are Hikaru Nakamura (16), Wesley So (13), Levon Aronian (11). The earliest game is from 2001 (5th OIBM) and the most recent from 2025 (Titled Tue 14th Jan Early). The ECO code seen most often is E21.
By colour
With White and with Black
| Carlsen played | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 124 | 61 | 46 | 17 | 68% |
| Black | 114 | 50 | 51 | 13 | 66% |
| All games | 238 | 111 | 97 | 30 | 67% |
Year by year
Nimzo-Indian Defense games by year
| Year | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 50% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 67% |
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 50% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 71% |
| 2005 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 44% |
| 2006 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 71% |
| 2007 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 66% |
| 2008 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 73% |
| 2009 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 47% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 33% |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 64% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 50% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 69% |
| 2015 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 67% |
| 2016 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 75% |
| 2017 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 70% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 83% |
| 2019 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 67% |
| 2020 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 72% |
| 2021 | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 60% |
| 2022 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 71% |
| 2023 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 82% |
| 2024 | 16 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 72% |
| 2025 | 18 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 78% |
Opponents
Who he played most in the Nimzo-Indian Defense
All 238 games: Magnus Carlsen in the Nimzo-Indian Defense
Year
Game
ECO
Result
2001
G Kacheishvili vs Magnus Carlsen
5th OIBM
E32
1–0
2001
Glenn Gaasland vs Magnus Carlsen
TCh-NOR Qualifier
E32
0–1
2001
Carl Ribbegren vs Magnus Carlsen
TCh-NOR Qualifier
E30
1–0
2001
Ru Andersen vs Magnus Carlsen
TCh-NOR Qualifier
E59
0–1
2002
Magnus Carlsen vs O Hole
Troll Masters
E54
½–½
2002
J Norri vs Magnus Carlsen
IV Shakkinet A
E43
½–½
2002
Magnus Carlsen vs Vi Hansen
IV Shakkinet A
E54
1–0
2003
Magnus Carlsen vs A Lugovoi
Classics GM
E54
½–½
2003
Magnus Carlsen vs TR Hansen
ch-NOR
E21
½–½
2003
Magnus Carlsen vs M Egeland
25th Politiken Cup
E50
½–½
2003
V Tomescu vs Magnus Carlsen
Claude Pecaut Mem
E20
½–½
2004
Magnus Carlsen vs E Shaposhnikov
Aeroflot Open
E38
1–0
2004
Magnus Carlsen vs V Iordachescu
6th Open
E20
½–½
2004
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
FIDE WCh KO
E32
½–½
2004
Kateri Lahno vs Magnus Carlsen
5th YM
E21
0–1
2004
D Palo vs Magnus Carlsen
GM Classic
E32
0–1
2004
Magnus Carlsen vs N Ibraev
36th Olympiad
E38
1–0
2004
Al Onischuk vs Magnus Carlsen
36th Olympiad
E55
1–0
2005
Al Ramirez vs Magnus Carlsen
Corus B
E55
½–½
2005
LE Johannessen vs Magnus Carlsen
ch-NOR
E34
½–½
2005
Y Pelletier vs Magnus Carlsen
GM
E34
1–0
2005
S Agdestein vs Magnus Carlsen
ch-NOR Playoff
E32
1–0
2005
E Bareev vs Magnus Carlsen
WCC
E35
½–½
2005
E Bareev vs Magnus Carlsen
WCC
E37
½–½
2005
J Lautier vs Magnus Carlsen
WCC Places 9-16
E55
0–1
2005
Magnus Carlsen vs V Malakhov
WCC Places 9-12
E20
½–½
2006
Nic Pedersen vs Magnus Carlsen
Fibertex Cup Blindfold
E20
0–1
2006
K Sasikiran vs Magnus Carlsen
XXXVI Bosnia GM
E37
½–½
2006
Magnus Carlsen vs Mi Adams
37th Olympiad
E20
1–0
2006
LE Johannessen vs Magnus Carlsen
ch-NOR
E36
½–½
2006
A Beliavsky vs Magnus Carlsen
NH Hotels
E55
½–½
2006
Ar Jussupow vs Magnus Carlsen
NH Hotels
E55
0–1
2006
Magnus Carlsen vs Peter Leko
Tal Memorial
E20
½–½
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs E Berg
Faaborg Midtfyn Blindfold Cup
E20
1–0
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Peter Leko
Amber Blindfold
E24
½–½
2007
I Krush vs Magnus Carlsen
Chess Classic GM
E25
½–½
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
WCh Candidates s/f
E29
0–1
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Y Pelletier
GM
E32
0–1
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Al Onischuk
GM Blitz Playoff
E36
½–½
2007
Al Onischuk vs Magnus Carlsen
GM Blitz Playoff
E20
0–1
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Z Almasi
23rd ECC Men
E32
1–0
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Veselin Topalov
Blindfold World Cup
E20
1–0
2007
D Jakovenko vs Magnus Carlsen
Tal Mem
E20
0–1
2007
Boris Gelfand vs Magnus Carlsen
World Blitz
E48
½–½
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
World Blitz
E39
½–½
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs A Naiditsch
World Cup
E36
½–½
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs A Naiditsch
World Cup
E36
1–0
2007
Magnus Carlsen vs Mi Adams
World Cup
E36
1–0
2007
I Cheparinov vs Magnus Carlsen
World Cup
E20
½–½
2008
Magnus Carlsen vs Ju Polgar
Corus A
E37
1–0
2008
Magnus Carlsen vs Peter Leko
XXV SuperGM
E32
½–½
2008
L Van Wely vs Magnus Carlsen
Amber Blindfold
E36
0–1
2008
Magnus Carlsen vs Mi Adams
FIDE GP
E37
1–0
2008
Etienne Bacrot vs Magnus Carlsen
FIDE GP
E21
0–1
2008
Etienne Bacrot vs Magnus Carlsen
41st Festival GM
E21
½–½
2008
Magnus Carlsen vs Peter Leko
Tal Memorial Blitz
E39
½–½
2008
P Eljanov vs Magnus Carlsen
Tal Memorial Blitz
E35
½–½
2008
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
Trophee CCAS KO
E24
½–½
2008
Wang Yue vs Magnus Carlsen
38th Olympiad
E35
½–½
2008
A Adly vs Magnus Carlsen
38th Olympiad
E52
0–1
2009
Alexander Morozevich vs Magnus Carlsen
Corus A
E37
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
18th Amber Rapid
E33
½–½
2009
Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen
18th Amber Blindfold
E20
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
18th Amber Blindfold
E32
0–1
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Wang Yue
XXII Rapid KO
E55
1–0
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
Sparkassen GM
E32
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Etienne Bacrot
Sparkassen GM
E32
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
Tal Memorial
E32
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Morozevich
Tal Memorial
E25
½–½
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Morozevich
World Blitz
E27
1–0
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Anatoly Karpov
World Blitz
E20
0–1
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Grischuk
World Blitz
E32
1–0
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
BNbank Blitz KO
E32
0–1
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
BNbank Blitz KO
E32
0–1
2009
Magnus Carlsen vs Mi Adams
Chess Classic
E46
½–½
2010
Ba Jobava vs Magnus Carlsen
39th Olympiad Men
E24
1–0
2010
P Eljanov vs Magnus Carlsen
VI World Blitz
E32
1–0
2010
Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen
VI World Blitz
E21
0–1
2011
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
20th Amber Blindfold
E47
½–½
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
Botvinnik Memorial
E32
½–½
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand
4th Final Masters
E21
½–½
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
4th Final Masters
E21
1–0
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
4th Final Master Playoff
E21
½–½
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
3rd London Chess Classic
E21
½–½
2011
Magnus Carlsen vs Mi Adams
3rd London Chess Classic
E21
1–0
2012
Magnus Carlsen vs Vladimir Kramnik
7th Mikhail Tal Memorial
E32
½–½
2012
Alexander Morozevich vs Magnus Carlsen
7th Mikhail Tal Memorial
E35
½–½
2012
Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk
World Rapid Final
E21
0–1
2012
Magnus Carlsen vs Wang Hao
45th Biel GM
E32
1–0
2012
L Bruzon Batista vs Magnus Carlsen
Cuadrangular UNAM 2012
E43
½–½
2013
Teimour Radjabov vs Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Candidates
E32
0–1
2013
Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand
8th Tal Memorial
E46
1–0
2013
Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen
WCh 2013
E25
0–1
2014
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
Zurich Chess Challenge 2014
E20
0–1
2014
Sergey Karjakin vs Magnus Carlsen
Vugar Gashimov Mem 2014
E20
½–½
2014
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen
Vugar Gashimov Mem 2014
E34
0–1
2014
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
Vugar Gashimov Mem 2014
E20
0–1
2014
Vladimir Kramnik vs Magnus Carlsen
2nd Norway Blitz 2014
E32
½–½
2014
Magnus Carlsen vs A Naiditsch
41st Olympiad Open 2014
E21
0–1
2014
Magnus Carlsen vs Veselin Topalov
2nd Sinquefield Cup 2014
E21
½–½
2014
Magnus Carlsen vs Itzhak Solsky
Carlsen vs chess.com
E42
1–0
2015
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
77th Tata Steel GpA
E46
½–½
2015
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen
World Rapid 2015
E52
½–½
2015
Yu Yangyi vs Magnus Carlsen
Qatar Masters TB 2015
E21
0–1
2016
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
GCT Rapid Paris 2016
E21
½–½
2016
Magnus Carlsen vs Veselin Topalov
GCT Rapid YourNextMove
E21
1–0
2016
Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana
GCT Blitz YourNextMove
E21
0–1
2016
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
GCT Blitz YourNextMove
E21
½–½
2016
Magnus Carlsen vs Ben Berkowitz
Play Live Challenge 2016
E20
1–0
2016
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
chess.com Blitz Final 5m+2spm 2016
E46
0–1
2016
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
chess.com Blitz Final 5m+2spm 2016
E46
0–1
2016
A Adly vs Magnus Carlsen
World Blitz 2016
E46
0–1
2017
L Lenic vs Magnus Carlsen
PRO League Group Stage
E32
½–½
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin
5th Norway Chess 2017
E48
1–0
2017
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen
GCT Rapid Paris 2017
E21
0–1
2017
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
GCT Blitz Paris 2017
E21
0–1
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
GCT Rapid YourNextMove
E49
1–0
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
GCT Rapid YourNextMove
E53
0–1
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Bardur Orn Birkisson
chess.com IoM Masters
E50
1–0
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Ding Liren
Carlsen-Ding Showdown G20
E21
½–½
2017
Ding Liren vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Ding Showdown G20
E49
0–1
2017
Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand
World Rapid 2017
E49
0–1
2018
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen
80th Tata Steel GpA
E34
½–½
2018
Tran Tuan Minh vs Magnus Carlsen
PRO League Group Stage
E46
0–1
2018
Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana
6th Norway Blitz 2018
E47
1–0
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Ding Liren
Lindores Abbey Stars
E24
½–½
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand
Lindores Abbey Stars
E48
1–0
2019
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
Croatia GCT 2019
E34
½–½
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin
Saint Louis Blitz 2019
E27
1–0
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
Saint Louis Blitz 2019
E24
½–½
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Ding Liren
7th Sinquefield Cup 2019
E21
½–½
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs A Pichot
Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup
E24
1–0
2019
Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss
E20
½–½
2019
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
Tata Steel India Blitz
E21
½–½
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja
Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup
E47
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
Lindores Abbey Final 8
E21
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Grischuk
Chessable Masters GpA
E21
½–½
2020
Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters Final 8
E46
½–½
2020
Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters Final 8
E25
0–1
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Anish Giri
Chessable Masters Final 8
E26
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand
Legends of Chess Prelim
E26
½–½
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
Carlsen Tour Final 2020
E29
0–1
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
Carlsen Tour Final 2020
E47
1–0
2020
Alireza Firouzja vs Magnus Carlsen
Saint Louis Rapid 2020
E20
0–1
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Anish Giri
Chess24 Banter Final 2020
E51
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Anish Giri
Chess24 Banter Final 2020
E51
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Anish Giri
Chess24 Banter Final 2020
E51
1–0
2020
Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen
8th Norway Chess 2020
E51
½–½
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana
8th Norway Chess 2020
E32
1–0
2020
Magnus Carlsen vs Parham Maghsoodloo
chess.com Speed 2020
E49
0–1
2020
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
Skilling Open Prelim
E36
½–½
2020
D Anton Guijarro vs Magnus Carlsen
Airthings Masters Prelim
E46
½–½
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov
Opera Euro Rapid Prelim
E58
½–½
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021
E21
½–½
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E33
1–0
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E35
0–1
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E39
½–½
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E34
1–0
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E34
0–1
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen-Tang Bullet 2021
E34
½–½
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
Magnus Carlsen Inv KO
E32
1–0
2021
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen Inv KO
E20
0–1
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs R Vaishali
Carlsen vs. Challengers
E24
1–0
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Vincent Keymer
Carlsen vs. Challengers
E24
½–½
2021
Vladislav Artemiev vs Magnus Carlsen
DM Carlsen-Artemiev 2021
E20
0–1
2021
Vidit Gujrathi vs Magnus Carlsen
NIC Classic Prelim 2021
E34
½–½
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov
NIC Classic KO 2021
E36
1–0
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
NIC Classic KO 2021
E32
½–½
2021
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
NIC Classic KO 2021
E35
1–0
2021
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Katara Bullet Final 2021
E35
1–0
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
Goldmoney Asian Rapid KO
E54
1–0
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs R Wojtaszek
FIDE World Cup 2021
E47
1–0
2021
Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian
Meltwater Tour Final 2021
E24
0–1
2022
Ding Liren vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters KO 2022
E53
½–½
2022
Gillan Bwalya vs Magnus Carlsen
44th Olympiad 2022
E51
0–1
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs Hans Niemann
9th Sinquefield Cup 2022
E20
0–1
2022
Vassily Ivanchuk vs Magnus Carlsen
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim
E42
½–½
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs Christopher Woojin Yoo
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim
E27
1–0
2022
Shakhriyar Mamedyarov vs Magnus Carlsen
Aimchess Rapid Prelim
E35
1–0
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs Jan-Krzysztof Duda
Aimchess Rapid KO
E41
½–½
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs Samuel Sevian
MrDodgy Inv 3 Finals
E51
1–0
2022
Samuel Sevian vs Magnus Carlsen
MrDodgy Inv 3 Finals
E20
0–1
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E46
1–0
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E51
1–0
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E51
1–0
2022
Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E28
½–½
2022
Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E40
½–½
2022
Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana
chess.com SpeedChess 2022
E32
1–0
2022
D Gurevich vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 20th Dec Late
E26
0–1
2022
Vladislav Artemiev vs Magnus Carlsen
World Blitz 2022
E37
½–½
2023
Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So
85th Tata Steel Masters
E42
½–½
2023
Alexey Sarana vs Magnus Carlsen
Airthings Masters Div 1 W
E47
0–1
2023
Arjun Erigaisi vs Magnus Carlsen
Airthings Masters Div 1 W
E47
½–½
2023
M Bluebaum vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 28th Feb Late
E46
0–1
2023
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
Chessable Masters Div 1 L
E46
½–½
2023
Magnus Carlsen vs Anish Giri
11th Norway Armageddon
E32
1–0
2023
A Indjic vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 20th Jun Early
E35
0–1
2023
S Sjugirov vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 27th Jun Late
E46
0–1
2023
Andrew Tang vs Magnus Carlsen
Bullet Chess Losers 2023
E38
0–1
2023
Magnus Carlsen vs A Tari
FIDE World Cup 2023
E46
1–0
2023
Vincent Keymer vs Magnus Carlsen
FIDE World Cup 2023
E20
½–½
2023
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
CCT Final KO 2023
E37
½–½
2023
Vl3 Fedoseev vs Magnus Carlsen
World Rapid 2023
E21
0–1
2023
A Indjic vs Magnus Carlsen
World Blitz 2023
E40
0–1
2024
Vl3 Fedoseev vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters Div 1 W
E35
1–0
2024
Magnus Carlsen vs Vincent Keymer
GRENKE Chess Classic 2024
E21
1–0
2024
Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen
12th Norway Chess 2024
E25
½–½
2024
C Holt vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 2nd Jul Late
E33
0–1
2024
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
CrunchLab Masters Div 1 L
E37
½–½
2024
Magnus Carlsen vs Francisco Fiorito
Titled Tue 20th Aug Late
E24
1–0
2024
Magnus Carlsen vs Y Borges Feria
Titled Tue 27th Aug Late
E24
1–0
2024
Alireza Firouzja vs Magnus Carlsen
SpeedChess Final 2024
E24
0–1
2024
Le Tuan Minh vs Magnus Carlsen
Julius Baer Gen Cup P/I m D1
E21
½–½
2024
B Harsha vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 5th Nov Early
E20
0–1
2024
Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 5th Nov Early
E28
½–½
2024
Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
Titled Tue 19th Nov Early
E51
1–0
2024
Vincent Keymer vs Magnus Carlsen
CCT Final RR 2024
E25
½–½
2024
Wesley So vs Magnus Carlsen
CCT Final RR 2024
E32
0–1
2024
Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen
CCT Final KO 2024
E42
½–½
2024
B Bok vs Magnus Carlsen
World Blitz 2024
E32
½–½
2025
Alexey Sarana vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 14th Jan Early
E43
0–1
2025
Andrey Esipenko vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters Winners
E21
0–1
2025
Arjun Erigaisi vs Magnus Carlsen
Chessable Masters Winners
E25
½–½
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs St Mladenovic
Titled Tue 4th Mar Late
E28
1–0
2025
M Bluebaum vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 4th Mar Late
E43
0–1
2025
Alexey Sarana vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 25th Mar Late
E52
½–½
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Bardiya Daneshvar
Titled Tue 1st Apr Early
E50
1–0
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Christopher Woojin Yoo
Titled Tue 8th Apr Late
E54
1–0
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Adam Kozak
Titled Tue 8th Apr Late
E43
1–0
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs A Gogolev
Titled Tue 22nd Apr Early
E20
1–0
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs V Pranav
Titled Tue 13th May Early
E21
1–0
2025
Bogdan-Daniel Deac vs Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tue 20th May Late
E32
0–1
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Aarit Kapil
Titled Tue 24th Jun Early
E24
½–½
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Mahammad Muradli
Titled Tue 23rd Sep 2025
E48
½–½
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Jeffery Xiong
Titled Tue 7th Oct 2025
E20
0–1
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs R Svane
Titled Tue 21st Oct 2025
E20
1–0
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura
1st 3-0 Thu 27th Nov 2025
E20
0–1
2025
Magnus Carlsen vs R Padmini
Titled Tue 2nd Dec 2025
E21
1–0
Questions
Magnus Carlsen and the Nimzo-Indian Defense: questions and answers
Does Magnus Carlsen play the Nimzo-Indian Defense?
Yes. Our database has 238 games of Magnus Carlsen in the Nimzo-Indian Defense from 2001–2025: 124 with White and 114 with Black.
What is Magnus Carlsen's record in the Nimzo-Indian Defense?
111 wins, 97 draws and 30 losses in 238 games, a score of 67.0%. With White 61–46–17, with Black 50–51–13 (won–drawn–lost).
Has Magnus Carlsen played the Nimzo-Indian Defense in classical chess?
Yes, 67 games in classical events in our database (27–35–5). The other games come from rapid, blitz and other events.
Which line of the Nimzo-Indian Defense does Carlsen play most?
The move order seen most often in his games is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O (42 games).
What are Magnus Carlsen's best Nimzo-Indian Defense games?
Good places to start are his wins against top players: Magnus Carlsen vs Vincent Keymer (GRENKE Chess Classic 2024, 2024); Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana (8th Norway Chess 2020, 2020); Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin (5th Norway Chess 2017, 2017); Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen (Zurich Chess Challenge 2014, 2014).
When did Magnus Carlsen last play the Nimzo-Indian Defense?
The latest game in our database is Magnus Carlsen vs R Padmini at the Titled Tue 2nd Dec 2025 (2 December 2025), result 1-0.
Can I replay Magnus Carlsen's Nimzo-Indian Defense games?
Yes. All 238 games are listed on this page. Each one opens on a board where you can step through the moves, check them with the engine, or practise the position.
All numbers count the games in the Rama Chess database (2001 to 2025), not every game he has ever played.