Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

Four Knights Game (C47) · ½-½ (Draw) · 41 moves · Round 1.22 · 17 March 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Levon Aronian
♚
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Moves
0 / 81

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackLevon Aronian
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventMagnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021
  • Round1.22
  • Date17 March 2021
  • OpeningFour Knights Game (C47)
  • Length41 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 163 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: Carlsen vs Aronian, 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Next game: Aronian vs Carlsen, 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Carlsen vs Aronian: all 237 gamesAll Carlsen games at Magnus Carlsen Inv KOCarlsen in the Four Knights GameCarlsen games of 2021Levon Aronian profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nxd4 Bb4 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.Bd3 d5 8.exd5 cxd5 9.O-O O-O 10.Bg5 Be6 11.Nb5 c5 12.a3 Ba5 13.b4 Bb6 14.bxc5 Bxc5 15.c3 h6 16.Bh4 Rc8 17.Nd4 Bxd4 18.cxd4 g5 19.Bg3 Ne4 20.Qa4 Nxg3 21.hxg3 Rc3 22.Qd1 Qf6 23.Qd2 Rfc8 24.Rfe1 Bf5 25.Bxf5 Qxf5 26.Re5 Qd3 27.Qxd3 Rxd3 28.Rxd5 Rc2 29.Ra5 Rxd4 30.Rxa7 Rdd2 31.Rf1 Ra2 32.a4 Kg7 33.Ra5 Rd4 34.Re1 Rdxa4 35.Rxa4 Rxa4 36.f3 g4 37.fxg4 Rxg4 38.Kf2 Rg5 39.Re4 Kg6 40.g4 Ra5 41.Kg3 1/2-1/2

This full-length game sees Magnus Carlsen take on Levon Aronian at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Four Knights Game (C47), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Running to 41 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.

In the end, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian. 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 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 163 of 237.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian played?

At the Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, round 1.22, on 17 March 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Levon Aronian (Black), at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Four Knights Game (ECO code C47). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 41 moves (81 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 Four Knights Game collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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