Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

Ruy Lopez (C78) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 42 moves · Round 1.21 · 17 March 2021

♔
White
Levon Aronian
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
Analyse This Game Practice
Moves
0 / 84

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteLevon Aronian
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventMagnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021
  • Round1.21
  • Date17 March 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C78)
  • Length42 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 164 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, ½-½ (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Next game: Aronian vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Carlsen vs Aronian: all 237 gamesAll Carlsen games at Magnus Carlsen Inv KOCarlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Levon Aronian profile

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

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Bc5 6.c3 O-O 7.d4 Ba7 8.Bg5 exd4 9.e5 h6 10.Bh4 g5 11.Bxc6 dxc6 12.Nxg5 dxc3 13.Qxd8 Rxd8 14.Nxc3 Nd5 15.Nge4 Nxc3 16.bxc3 Rd3 17.Rad1 Rxd1 18.Rxd1 Be6 19.a3 f5 20.exf6 Re8 21.h3 Bb3 22.f7+ Kxf7 23.Rd7+ Kg6 24.Nd2 Re1+ 25.Kh2 Be6 26.Rd8 Re2 27.Nf3 Bxf2 28.Bxf2 Rxf2 29.Kg3 Rc2 30.Rd3 Bd5 31.Kf4 Kf6 32.g4 Rf2 33.h4 b5 34.Kg3 Rxf3+ 35.Rxf3+ Bxf3 36.Kxf3 c5 37.Ke4 c6 38.Kf4 a5 39.Ke4 a4 40.Kd3 Ke5 41.Ke3 b4 42.Kd2 b3 0-1

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

Play followed Ruy Lopez (C78) — classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Running to 42 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.

Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.

After the contest, 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 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 164 of 237.

Where and when was Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, round 1.21, on 17 March 2021.

Who played this game?

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

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C78). 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 42 moves (84 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.

More chess on YouTube: Stockfish100 Best Chess Channel