Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Airthings Masters Prelim 2020

Queen's Gambit Declined (D38) · ½-½ (Draw) · 61 moves · Round 1.4 · 26 December 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Levon Aronian
♚
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Moves
0 / 122

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackLevon Aronian
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventAirthings Masters Prelim 2020
  • Round1.4
  • Date26 December 2020
  • OpeningQueen's Gambit Declined (D38)
  • Length61 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 157 of 237 between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian in the Rama Chess database (2004–2024). In all their games Carlsen leads 82–40 with 115 draws.

Previous game: Aronian vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Skilling Open Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Aronian, 1-0 (Opera Euro Rapid Prelim, 2021).

Carlsen vs Aronian: all 237 gamesAll Carlsen games at Airthings Masters PrelimCarlsen in the Queen's Gambit DeclinedCarlsen games of 2020Levon Aronian profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Airthings Masters Prelim 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bf4 c6 7.e3 Bf5 8.Qb3 Qb6 9.Nh4 Bg6 10.Nxg6 hxg6 11.h3 Nbd7 12.Bd3 c5 13.a3 Ba5 14.Qxb6 Bxb6 15.dxc5 Nxc5 16.O-O-O O-O-O 17.Kb1 Ne6 18.Be5 Bc7 19.Bxc7 Kxc7 20.Bc2 g5 21.Bb3 Kc6 22.Rc1 Kd6 23.Nb5+ Ke5 24.Nxa7 Ne4 25.Nb5 g4 26.Rc2 Rh5 27.f3 gxf3 28.gxf3 Ng3 29.Rd1 Nf5 30.Rc3 Ne7 31.Nc7 g5 32.Nxe6 fxe6 33.Rc7 Nf5 34.e4 Nd4 35.Rxb7 Rxh3 36.exd5 exd5 37.Re7+ Kd6 38.Re3 Nxb3 39.Rxb3 Rf8 40.Rdd3 Rf4 41.Kc2 Ke5 42.Rb5 Rd4 43.Rxd4 Kxd4 44.Rb3 Rh2+ 45.Kb1 Rh3 46.Ka2 Kc4 47.Rc3+ Kb5 48.Kb3 d4 49.Rd3 Kc5 50.Kc2 Rg3 51.a4 Rg2+ 52.Rd2 Rg3 53.Rf2 Kb4 54.b3 g4 55.fxg4 d3+ 56.Kd2 Rxg4 57.Kxd3 Rg3+ 58.Kc2 Rc3+ 59.Kb1 Rxb3+ 60.Rb2 Rxb2+ 61.Kxb2 Kxa4 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Levon Aronian at Airthings Masters Prelim in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Queen's Gambit Declined (D38), a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 61 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.

Replaying a complete grandmaster game shows not just the moves, but the order in which plans appear and where the balance finally tips.

In the end, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian. 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 Levon Aronian?

In the 237 games between them in our database (2004 to 2024) Carlsen leads 82–40 with 115 draws. This game is number 157 of 237.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian played?

At the Airthings Masters Prelim, round 1.4, on 26 December 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Levon Aronian (Black), at Airthings Masters Prelim in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Gambit Declined (ECO code D38). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 61 moves (122 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 Queen's Gambit Declined collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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