Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand, Botvinnik Memorial 2011

Ruy Lopez (C65) · 0-1 (Viswanathan Anand won) · 66 moves · Round 6 · 3 September 2011

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
0 – 1
Black
Viswanathan Anand
♚
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Moves
0 / 132

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackViswanathan Anand
  • Result0-1 · Viswanathan Anand won
  • EventBotvinnik Memorial 2011
  • Round6
  • Date3 September 2011
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C65)
  • Length66 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 50 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: Anand vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Botvinnik Memorial, 2011).

Next game: Anand vs Carlsen, ½-½ (4th Final Masters, 2011).

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

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand, Botvinnik Memorial 2011

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.O-O Nd4 6.Ba4 Nxf3+ 7.Qxf3 O-O 8.Qg3 d6 9.Bg5 c6 10.Bb3 Nh5 11.Qh4 Nf6 12.Nc3 h6 13.Bd2 a5 14.Kh1 Bd4 15.f4 Ng4 16.Qxd8 Rxd8 17.fxe5 Nxe5 18.a4 Be6 19.Bxe6 fxe6 20.Ne2 Bb6 21.Nf4 Re8 22.h3 Nd7 23.Rf3 Ne5 24.Rff1 Nd7 25.g4 d5 26.Rae1 e5 27.Nh5 dxe4 28.Rxe4 Rf8 29.Ree1 g6 30.Ng3 Bf2 31.Rxf2 Rxf2 32.Ne4 Rf7 33.Kg2 g5 34.Nd6 Rf6 35.Nxb7 Rb8 36.Nxa5 Rxb2 37.Rc1 Ra2 38.Nc4 Rxa4 39.Rb1 e4 40.Nb2 Ra2 41.dxe4 Nc5 42.e5 Re6 43.Kf3 Rxe5 44.Be3 Nd7 45.Nc4 Rb5 46.Rd1 Rd5 47.Rc1 Ra4 48.Nd2 Ne5+ 49.Ke2 Nc4 50.Nf1 Ra3 51.c3 Kh7 52.Bd4 c5 53.Be3 Kg6 54.Rc2 Ra1 55.Bc1 Rd7 56.Ng3 Ra6 57.Kf2 Rd3 58.Kg2 Re6 59.h4 gxh4 60.Nh5 Ne3+ 61.Bxe3 Rexe3 62.Nf4+ Kg5 63.Nxd3 Rxd3 64.c4 Rg3+ 65.Kh2 Rxg4 66.Kh3 Rf4 0-1

A marathon in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Viswanathan Anand at Botvinnik Memorial in 2011. It was played in round 6. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

From Ruy Lopez (C65) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 66 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.

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.

In the end, Viswanathan Anand 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 50 of 143.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand played?

At the Botvinnik Memorial, round 6, on 3 September 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Viswanathan Anand (Black), at Botvinnik Memorial in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C65). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Viswanathan Anand won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 66 moves (132 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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