Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

Ruy Lopez (C78) · ½-½ (Draw) · 64 moves · Round 3.3 · 22 April 2020

♔
White
Fabiano Caruana
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 128

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteFabiano Caruana
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventCarlsen Inv Prelim 2020
  • Round3.3
  • Date22 April 2020
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C78)
  • Length64 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 86 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: Carlsen vs Caruana, 1-0 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Caruana, ½-½ (Clutch Chess Showdown Int, 2020).

Carlsen vs Caruana: all 216 gamesAll Carlsen games at Carlsen Inv PrelimCarlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2020Fabiano Caruana profile

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

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.axb5 axb5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.d4 Bxd4 11.Qxd4 d6 12.f4 Nc6 13.Qc3 Ne7 14.Ra7 c5 15.e5 Ne4 16.Qf3 d5 17.c3 c4 18.Bc2 Bg4 19.Rxe7+ Qxe7 20.Qxg4 Qc5+ 21.Kh1 Nf2+ 22.Rxf2 Qxf2 23.Qd1 O-O 24.Bd2 d4 25.cxd4 Rfd8 26.Qc1 b4 27.Be3 Qe2 28.Bg1 c3 29.bxc3 bxc3 30.Nxc3 Qc4 31.Nd1 Rbc8 32.Ne3 Qxd4 33.Qf1 Qd2 34.Qb1 h6 35.h3 Rc3 36.Qb6 Qd4 37.Qa5 Rc5 38.Qa7 Rxc2 39.Nxc2 Qxf4 40.Nd4 Qe4 41.Qb6 Rd5 42.Nf3 Rd3 43.Qb8+ Kh7 44.Qb1 Re3 45.Qf1 Rd3 46.Bf2 Rb3 47.Kh2 Rb1 48.Qa6 Rb2 49.Qa7 Qf4+ 50.Kh1 Qc1+ 51.Bg1 Qc2 52.Nh4 Qe4 53.Qe7 Rb7 54.Qd8 Rb3 55.Nf3 Rxf3 56.gxf3 Qxf3+ 57.Kh2 Qf4+ 58.Kg2 Qe4+ 59.Kf1 Qf3+ 60.Bf2 Qxh3+ 61.Kg1 Qg4+ 62.Kf1 Qh3+ 63.Kg1 Qg4+ 64.Kf1 Qh3+ 1/2-1/2

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

From Ruy Lopez (C78) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 64 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.

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

After the contest, the game was drawn between Fabiano Caruana 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 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 86 of 216.

Where and when was Fabiano Caruana vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Carlsen Inv Prelim, round 3.3, on 22 April 2020.

Who played this game?

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

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C78). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Fabiano Caruana and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 64 moves (128 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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