Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

Three Knights Game (C46) · ½-½ (Draw) · 36 moves · Round 3.4 · 22 April 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Fabiano Caruana
♚
Analyse This Game Practice
Moves
0 / 72

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackFabiano Caruana
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventCarlsen Inv Prelim 2020
  • Round3.4
  • Date22 April 2020
  • OpeningThree Knights Game (C46)
  • Length36 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 84 of 216 between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana in the Rama Chess database (2010–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 99–35 with 82 draws.

Previous game: Caruana vs Carlsen, 0-1 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Caruana, 1-0 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Carlsen vs Caruana: all 216 gamesAll Carlsen games at Carlsen Inv PrelimCarlsen in the Three Knights GameCarlsen games of 2020Fabiano Caruana profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.h3 Bb4 5.Nd5 Bc5 6.Nxf6+ gxf6 7.Bc4 d6 8.d3 Be6 9.Be3 Qd7 10.Qe2 O-O-O 11.Bxc5 dxc5 12.c3 Bxc4 13.dxc4 f5 14.Rd1 Qxd1+ 15.Qxd1 Rxd1+ 16.Kxd1 fxe4 17.Nd2 f5 18.g4 Rf8 19.Ke2 Ne7 20.gxf5 Rxf5 21.Nxe4 b6 22.Rg1 Ng6 23.Ke3 Kd7 24.Ng5 h6 25.Nf3 Nf4 26.Rg7+ Ke6 27.h4 Kf6 28.Ke4 Nd3 29.Rf7+ Ke6 30.Re7+ Kf6 31.Rf7+ Ke6 32.Rxf5 Nxf2+ 33.Ke3 Ng4+ 34.Ke4 Nf2+ 35.Ke3 Ng4+ 36.Ke4 Nf2+ 1/2-1/2

This middlegame battle sees Magnus Carlsen take on Fabiano Caruana at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Three Knights Game (C46), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Lasting 36 moves, the game was settled in the middlegame, where piece activity, pawn breaks and king safety all collide.

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.

Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.

In the end, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. 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 Fabiano Caruana?

In the 216 games between them in our database (2010 to 2025) Carlsen leads 99–35 with 82 draws. This game is number 84 of 216.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Fabiano Caruana played?

At the Carlsen Inv Prelim, round 3.4, on 22 April 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Fabiano Caruana (Black), at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Three Knights Game (ECO code C46). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 36 moves (72 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 Three Knights Game collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

More chess on YouTube: Stockfish100 Best Chess Channel
, 250)); })();