Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, San Fermin Masters Final 2021

Indian Defenses (A45) · ½-½ (Draw) · 66 moves · Round 3.7 · 11 July 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Levon Aronian
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackLevon Aronian
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventSan Fermin Masters Final 2021
  • Round3.7
  • Date11 July 2021
  • OpeningIndian Defenses (A45)
  • Length66 moves
  • Type of eventOther events

This is game 186 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 (Goldmoney Asian Rapid KO, 2021).

Next game: Aronian vs Carlsen, 0-1 (San Fermin Masters Final, 2021).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, San Fermin Masters Final 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 Bg4 4.f3 Bd7 5.g4 c5 6.c3 e6 7.Nd2 Qb6 8.Qb3 Bc6 9.Ne2 Nbd7 10.Ng3 Qa5 11.Qd1 Ba4 12.Qb1 Rc8 13.Bd3 Bb5 14.h4 Bxd3 15.Qxd3 b5 16.a3 cxd4 17.cxd4 Nb6 18.Ke2 Be7 19.g5 Nfd7 20.h5 Nc4 21.b3 Nxd2 22.Qxd2 Qxd2+ 23.Kxd2 b4 24.Rhc1 O-O 25.a4 f6 26.gxf6 gxf6 27.e4 dxe4 28.fxe4 Kf7 29.Be3 a5 30.Ne2 e5 31.Rxc8 Rxc8 32.Rc1 Rxc1 33.Kxc1 exd4 34.Nxd4 Bc5 35.Kd2 Ne5 36.Nf5 Bxe3+ 37.Kxe3 Ke6 38.Kd4 Nf3+ 39.Ke3 Ne5 40.Nd4+ Kd6 41.Kf4 Kc5 42.Ne6+ Kd6 43.Kf5 Nd7 44.h6 Ke7 45.Nd4 Kd6 46.Nc2 Nc5 47.Nd4 Nd7 48.Nf3 Nc5 49.Nd2 Ke7 50.e5 fxe5 51.Kxe5 Kd7 52.Kd5 Nd3 53.Nc4 Nf4+ 54.Ke5 Nd3+ 55.Kf6 Nc5 56.Nxa5 Ke8 57.Kg7 Ke7 58.Kxh7 Kf7 59.Nc6 Nxb3 60.Nxb4 Nc5 61.a5 Ne6 62.Nc6 Nf8+ 63.Kh8 Ng6+ 64.Kh7 Nf8+ 65.Kh8 Ng6+ 66.Kh7 Nf8+ 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Levon Aronian at San Fermin Masters Final in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Indian Defenses (A45) the players entered a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

At 66 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.

After the contest, 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 186 of 237.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian played?

At the San Fermin Masters Final, round 3.7, on 11 July 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Levon Aronian (Black), at San Fermin Masters Final in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Indian Defenses (ECO code A45). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 66 moves (132 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 Indian Defenses collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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