Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, 20th Amber Rapid 2011

Grünfeld Defense (D78) · ½-½ (Draw) · 44 moves · Round 3 · 14 March 2011

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Levon Aronian
♚
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Moves
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About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackLevon Aronian
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event20th Amber Rapid 2011
  • Round3
  • Date14 March 2011
  • OpeningGrünfeld Defense (D78)
  • Length44 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 44 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 (73rd Tata Steel GMA, 2011).

Next game: Aronian vs Carlsen, ½-½ (20th Amber Blindfold, 2011).

Carlsen vs Aronian: all 237 gamesCarlsen in the Grünfeld DefenseCarlsen games of 2011Levon Aronian profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, 20th Amber Rapid 2011

1.c4 g6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 O-O 5.Bg2 c6 6.O-O d5 7.Qa4 a6 8.Bf4 Be6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Qb3 Ra7 11.Ne5 Ne4 12.Rd1 Nd7 13.Nc3 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Ra8 15.Qb3 a5 16.Bxd5 a4 17.Qxb7 Rb8 18.Nxf7 Rxb7 19.Nxd8 Bxd5 20.Nxb7 Bxb7 21.Rac1 Bd5 22.Rc7 Rd8 23.a3 Kf7 24.Rd2 Nf6 25.f3 Bb3 26.Be5 Ne8 27.Rc5 Bxe5 28.Rxe5 Nd6 29.Rc5 Nc4 30.Rd3 Nxb2 31.Re3 Rxd4 32.Rc7 Be6 33.Ra7 g5 34.Rc3 Rc4 35.Re3 Rc2 36.Re4 Rc3 37.h4 h6 38.hxg5 hxg5 39.Ra6 Ba2 40.Ra7 Be6 41.Ra6 Bc4 42.Rc6 Rxa3 43.Rcxc4 Nxc4 44.Rxc4 1/2-1/2

A full-length game in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Levon Aronian at 20th Amber Rapid in 2011. It was played in round 3. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

From Grünfeld Defense (D78) the players entered a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

Running to 44 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, 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 44 of 237.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian played?

At the 20th Amber Rapid, round 3, on 14 March 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Levon Aronian (Black), at 20th Amber Rapid in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Grünfeld Defense (ECO code D78). 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 44 moves (87 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 Grünfeld Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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