Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand, Glitnir Blitz 2006

Benko Gambit (A58) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 78 moves · Round 5.2 · 16 March 2006

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Viswanathan Anand
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackViswanathan Anand
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventGlitnir Blitz 2006
  • Round5.2
  • Date16 March 2006
  • OpeningBenko Gambit (A58)
  • Length78 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 6 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, 0-1 (Glitnir Blitz, 2006).

Next game: Carlsen vs Anand, ½-½ (World Blitz, 2006).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand, Glitnir Blitz 2006

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.Nc3 Bxa6 7.Nf3 Bg7 8.g3 d6 9.Bg2 O-O 10.O-O Nbd7 11.Rb1 Ne8 12.Qc2 Nc7 13.Rd1 Nb6 14.e4 Bc8 15.h3 Bd7 16.b3 Qc8 17.a4 Bxh3 18.Bb2 Bg4 19.Re1 Na6 20.Nb5 Bxb2 21.Rxb2 Bd7 22.Nc3 Nb4 23.Qd2 c4 24.bxc4 Nxc4 25.Qh6 f6 26.Rxb4 Ne5 27.Qe3 Qc7 28.Nxe5 fxe5 29.Reb1 Rac8 30.Rb7 Qd8 31.Nb5 Rc2 32.Rf1 Bg4 33.Qb6 Qxb6 34.Rxb6 Be2 35.Rc6 Rb2 36.Re1 Bxb5 37.axb5 Rfxf2 38.Bf1 Rf3 39.Re2 Rxg3+ 40.Kf2 Rbb3 41.b6 Rgf3+ 42.Kg1 Rb1 43.Rf2 Re3 44.Kh2 Rxe4 45.Bh3 Kg7 46.Bc8 h5 47.b7 Kh6 48.Rc7 Ree1 49.Rxe7 Kg5 50.Ref7 Kh4 51.Kg2 g5 52.Rf1 Rxf1 53.Rxf1 Rb2+ 54.Rf2 Rb6 55.Ra2 g4 56.Ra8 Rb2+ 57.Kf1 Kg3 58.b8=Q Rxb8 59.Rxb8 h4 60.Rb3+ Kf4 61.Bxg4 Kxg4 62.Rb6 h3 63.Rxd6 e4 64.Re6 Kf5 65.Rxe4 Kxe4 66.d6 Kf3 67.Kg1 Kg3 68.d7 h2+ 69.Kh1 Kh3 70.d8=Q Kg3 71.Qd6+ Kf3 72.Kxh2 Ke3 73.Kg2 Ke4 74.Kg3 Ke3 75.Qd5 Ke2 76.Qd4 Ke1 77.Kf3 Kf1 78.Qd1+ 1-0

A marathon in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Viswanathan Anand at Glitnir Blitz in 2006. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed Benko Gambit (A58) — a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

At 78 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.

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

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 6 of 143.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand played?

At the Glitnir Blitz, round 5.2, on 16 March 2006.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Viswanathan Anand (Black), at Glitnir Blitz in 2006.

What opening was played?

The game used Benko Gambit (ECO code A58). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 78 moves (155 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 Benko Gambit collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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