Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen, 6th Tal Memorial 2011

Queen's Indian Defense (E15) · ½-½ (Draw) · 57 moves · Round 1 · 16 November 2011

♔
White
Levon Aronian
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteLevon Aronian
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event6th Tal Memorial 2011
  • Round1
  • Date16 November 2011
  • OpeningQueen's Indian Defense (E15)
  • Length57 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 50 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 (4th Final Masters, 2011).

Next game: Aronian vs Carlsen, ½-½ (3rd London Chess Classic, 2011).

The moves of Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen, 6th Tal Memorial 2011

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Qa4 Be7 6.Bg2 c6 7.Nc3 O-O 8.O-O d5 9.Ne5 Qe8 10.b3 b5 11.Qa5 Bd8 12.Qa3 Be7 13.c5 Bb7 14.Qb2 a5 15.Nd3 b4 16.Na4 Nbd7 17.a3 Ba6 18.Rd1 Bxd3 19.Rxd3 Ne4 20.f3 Nef6 21.Rd1 e5 22.e3 bxa3 23.Qc2 Bd8 24.Bxa3 Rb8 25.Re1 Qe6 26.Nb2 Re8 27.Nd3 Bc7 28.Bb2 e4 29.Nf2 exf3 30.Bxf3 Ne4 31.Nxe4 dxe4 32.Bd1 Nf6 33.Bc3 Nd5 34.Bxa5 Ra8 35.Qd2 Qg6 36.Kh1 Qh6 37.b4 Bxg3 38.Rg1 Bh4 39.Bb3 Bg5 40.Bxd5 Bxe3 41.Bxf7+ Kxf7 42.Qa2+ Qe6 43.Rgf1+ Kg8 44.Qxe6+ Rxe6 45.Rad1 Bg5 46.d5 cxd5 47.Rxd5 Bf6 48.Rd6 Rxd6 49.cxd6 Bd8 50.Rf5 Bxa5 51.bxa5 Rd8 52.Rd5 Kf7 53.a6 Ke6 54.Rd4 Kd7 55.Rb4 e3 56.Kg2 Rf8 57.a7 e2 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Levon Aronian had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at 6th Tal Memorial in 2011. It was played in round 1. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

From Queen's Indian Defense (E15) the players entered a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Running to 57 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.

Replaying a complete grandmaster game shows not just the moves, but the order in which plans appear and where the balance finally tips.

In the end, 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 50 of 237.

Where and when was Levon Aronian vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the 6th Tal Memorial, round 1, on 16 November 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Levon Aronian (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 6th Tal Memorial in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Indian Defense (ECO code E15). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Levon Aronian and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 57 moves (114 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 Queen's Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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