Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen, 20th Amber Rapid 2011

Ruy Lopez (C77) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 43 moves · Round 9 · 22 March 2011

♔
White
Viswanathan Anand
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
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Moves
0 / 86

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteViswanathan Anand
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • Event20th Amber Rapid 2011
  • Round9
  • Date22 March 2011
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C77)
  • Length43 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 48 of 143 between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand in the Rama Chess database (2005–2024). In all their games Carlsen leads 40–21 with 82 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Anand, 0-1 (20th Amber Blindfold, 2011).

Next game: Anand vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Botvinnik Memorial, 2011).

Carlsen vs Anand: all 143 gamesCarlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2011Viswanathan Anand profile

The moves of Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen, 20th Amber Rapid 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.Qe2 a6 5.Ba4 Be7 6.c3 d6 7.O-O O-O 8.d4 Bd7 9.d5 Nb8 10.Bxd7 Nbxd7 11.c4 g6 12.Nc3 Nh5 13.Rb1 Ng7 14.b4 f5 15.Be3 Rb8 16.Rfd1 Qe8 17.a4 f4 18.Bd2 g5 19.h3 h5 20.Nh2 Qg6 21.f3 Ne8 22.Rdc1 Nef6 23.Kf1 Kf7 24.Ke1 g4 25.Kd1 gxh3 26.gxh3 Rg8 27.Kc2 Qg2 28.Rh1 Qxe2 29.Nxe2 Rg2 30.Kd3 Nb6 31.Rbg1 Rbg8 32.Rxg2 Rxg2 33.a5 Nxc4 34.Bc1 b5 35.axb6 Nxb6 36.Nf1 Nh7 37.h4 Nf8 38.Bd2 Ng6 39.Be1 Na4 40.Rg1 Rxg1 41.Nxg1 Bxh4 42.Bd2 Ke7 43.Nh3 Kd7 0-1

Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this full-length game at 20th Amber Rapid in 2011. It was played in round 9. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed Ruy Lopez (C77) — classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Running to 43 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.

When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces. Use the board above to replay every move, switch to the analyser for engine evaluation, or open Practice mode to test your own ideas.

Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record of Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand?

In the 143 games between them in our database (2005 to 2024) Carlsen leads 40–21 with 82 draws. This game is number 48 of 143.

Where and when was Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the 20th Amber Rapid, round 9, on 22 March 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Viswanathan Anand (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 20th Amber Rapid in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C77). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 43 moves (86 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 Ruy Lopez collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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