Magnus Carlsen vs Arjun Erigaisi, World Rapid 2025

Queen's Gambit Declined (D37) · ½-½ (Draw) · 101 moves · Round 5.1 · 26 December 2025

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Arjun Erigaisi
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackArjun Erigaisi
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventWorld Rapid 2025
  • Round5.1
  • Date26 December 2025
  • OpeningQueen's Gambit Declined (D37)
  • Length101 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 81 of 82 between Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi in the Rama Chess database (2021–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 44–18 with 20 draws.

Previous game: Erigaisi vs Carlsen, 0-1 (Titled Tue 25th Nov 2025, 2025).

Next game: Carlsen vs Erigaisi, 0-1 (World Blitz 2025, 2025).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Arjun Erigaisi, World Rapid 2025

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.d4 Nbd7 5.Bg5 Bb4 6.e3 c5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.dxc5 Qa5 9.Nd2 Bxc3 10.bxc3 Qxc3 11.Bxf6 Nxf6 12.Bb5+ Bd7 13.Rc1 Qa5 14.Bxd7+ Nxd7 15.O-O Nxc5 16.Nb3 Nxb3 17.Qxb3 O-O 18.Qxb7 Qxa2 19.Ra1 Qc4 20.Rxa7 Rxa7 21.Qxa7 Rc8 22.h3 h6 23.Rd1 Qe2 24.Qa4 g6 25.Ra1 Qb2 26.Rf1 Kg7 27.Qa5 Qb3 28.Qd2 Qc4 29.Rd1 h5 30.g3 Ra8 31.Qb2+ Kg8 32.Qb7 Ra2 33.Qxd5 Qxd5 34.Rxd5 Kg7 35.Kg2 Kf6 36.Kf3 Ke6 37.Rb5 Rc2 38.Ra5 Rb2 39.e4 Rc2 40.Ra3 Rb2 41.Ke3 Kf6 42.Ra6+ Ke7 43.h4 Rc2 44.f3 Rg2 45.Kf4 Rf2 46.e5 Rf1 47.Rb6 Rf2 48.Rb7+ Ke6 49.Rb3 Re2 50.Rb6+ Ke7 51.Ra6 Rf2 52.Ra7+ Ke6 53.Ra6+ Ke7 54.Rf6 Rh2 55.Kg5 Rg2 56.Kh6 Rxg3 57.f4 Kf8 58.e6 Ke7 59.exf7 Kf8 60.Rxg6 Rh3 61.Kg5 Kxf7 62.Rh6 Rg3+ 63.Kf5 Kg7 64.Rxh5 Ra3 65.Kg4 Ra1 66.Rb5 Rc1 67.Ra5 Rb1 68.Ra7+ Kh6 69.Ra6+ Kg7 70.Kg5 Rg1+ 71.Kf5 Rb1 72.Rg6+ Kh7 73.Re6 Rh1 74.Re7+ Kh6 75.Re8 Kg7 76.Re7+ Kh6 77.Re6+ Kh7 78.Kg5 Rg1+ 79.Kh5 Kg7 80.Ra6 Rg2 81.Ra5 Rf2 82.Kg4 Rg2+ 83.Kf3 Rh2 84.Kg3 Rb2 85.Ra6 Rb5 86.Ra3 Rb1 87.Kg4 Kf6 88.Ra6+ Kg7 89.h5 Rg1+ 90.Kf5 Rb1 91.Rg6+ Kf7 92.Kg5 Rg1+ 93.Kh6 Rf1 94.Rg4 Rh1 95.Rg5 Kf6 96.Kh7 Rh4 97.Kg8 Rxf4 98.Rg6+ Kf5 99.Ra6 Rb4 100.h6 Rb8+ 101.Kg7 Rb7+ 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Arjun Erigaisi at World Rapid 2025 in 2025. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Queen's Gambit Declined (D37) — a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 101 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.

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

When the dust settled, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi. 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 Arjun Erigaisi?

In the 82 games between them in our database (2021 to 2025) Carlsen leads 44–18 with 20 draws. This game is number 81 of 82.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Arjun Erigaisi played?

At the World Rapid 2025, round 5.1, on 26 December 2025.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Arjun Erigaisi (Black), at World Rapid 2025 in 2025.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Gambit Declined (ECO code D37). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 101 moves (202 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 Gambit Declined collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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