Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

Ruy Lopez (C67) · ½-½ (Draw) · 71 moves · Round 1.23 · 17 March 2021

♔
White
Levon Aronian
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteLevon Aronian
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventMagnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021
  • Round1.23
  • Date17 March 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C67)
  • Length71 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 165 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, 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Aronian, ½-½ (NIC Classic Prelim 2021, 2021).

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

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Rd1+ Ke8 10.Nc3 Ne7 11.Nd4 Bg4 12.f3 Bd7 13.a4 Nf5 14.Nde2 Bc5+ 15.Kf1 h5 16.Ne4 Be7 17.Kf2 c5 18.Bg5 b6 19.Nf4 Bc6 20.Nd5 Bxd5 21.Rxd5 Nd4 22.c3 Ne6 23.Be3 Rd8 24.Rad1 Rxd5 25.Rxd5 h4 26.f4 Rh5 27.c4 Nd8 28.Kf3 Nc6 29.b3 Na5 30.Rd3 Nc6 31.Rd5 Nb4 32.Rd2 Nc6 33.Kg4 Rh6 34.Rd5 Rg6+ 35.Kf3 Re6 36.Bf2 Nd4+ 37.Bxd4 c6 38.Bxc5 cxd5 39.cxd5 Rh6 40.Bd4 Rh5 41.Kg4 g6 42.Kf3 Kd7 43.Nd2 Bb4 44.Nc4 Ke7 45.Ke4 Rh8 46.Bf2 h3 47.g4 Bc5 48.Bg3 b5 49.Na5 bxa4 50.bxa4 f5+ 51.gxf5 gxf5+ 52.Kxf5 Rg8 53.Bh4+ Kd7 54.e6+ Kc7 55.Bg5 Bg1 56.Kg4 Kd6 57.Nc6 Bxh2 58.Kxh3 Rh8+ 59.Kg4 Kxd5 60.Nd4 Bxf4 61.Kxf4 Kxd4 62.Bf6+ Kd5 63.Bxh8 Kxe6 64.Ke4 Kd6 65.a5 Kc6 66.Bc3 a6 67.Kd4 Kb7 68.Kc5 Ka8 69.Kb6 Kb8 70.Kxa6 Ka8 71.Be5 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Levon Aronian had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Ruy Lopez (C67), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 71 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.

When the dust settled, the game was drawn between Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen. 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 165 of 237.

Where and when was Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, round 1.23, 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 C67). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 71 moves (141 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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