Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup 2020

Queen's Gambit Declined (D38) · 0-1 (Alireza Firouzja won) · 67 moves · Round 7.1 · 15 April 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
0 – 1
Black
Alireza Firouzja
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackAlireza Firouzja
  • Result0-1 · Alireza Firouzja won
  • EventChess24 Banter Blitz Cup 2020
  • Round7.1
  • Date15 April 2020
  • OpeningQueen's Gambit Declined (D38)
  • Length67 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 18 of 266 between Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja in the Rama Chess database (2018–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 135–65 with 66 draws.

Previous game: Firouzja vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Firouzja, 0-1 (Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup, 2020).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Bb4 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bg5 O-O 7.e3 h6 8.Bh4 Bf5 9.Qb3 Bxc3+ 10.Qxc3 g5 11.Bg3 Ne4 12.Qa3 Nc6 13.Bb5 Ne7 14.Nd2 c6 15.Bd3 Nxd2 16.Kxd2 Bxd3 17.Qxd3 Qa5+ 18.Ke2 f5 19.Bd6 Rae8 20.g4 Rf6 21.Be5 Ng6 22.h4 Nxe5 23.dxe5 Rxe5 24.hxg5 hxg5 25.Rh5 Qb4 26.Rxg5+ Kf7 27.b3 Qf4 28.Qxf5 Qxg5 29.Qxg5 Rxg5 30.Rg1 Rg8 31.f4 Re6 32.Kd3 Rge8 33.Rg3 Re4 34.Rh3 Kg7 35.g5 d4 36.exd4 Rxf4 37.Kc3 Rd8 38.Re3 Rd7 39.Rd3 Rg4 40.Kc4 Rxg5 41.Kc3 Rgd5 42.Rg3+ Kf7 43.Rg4 Ke7 44.Re4+ Kd8 45.Rh4 Kc7 46.a4 b6 47.Kc4 Kb7 48.Kc3 a5 49.Re4 b5 50.axb5 cxb5 51.Kd3 R5d6 52.Kc3 Kb6 53.Kd3 a4 54.bxa4 bxa4 55.Kc4 a3 56.Kb3 Rxd4 57.Re1 Rd3+ 58.Ka2 Kb5 59.Rb1+ Ka4 60.Rc1 Rd2+ 61.Ka1 Kb3 62.Rb1+ Rb2 63.Rc1 Ra2+ 64.Kb1 Rad2 65.Ka1 Rd1 66.Rb1+ Rxb1+ 67.Kxb1 Rd1+ 0-1

This marathon sees Magnus Carlsen take on Alireza Firouzja at Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Queen's Gambit Declined (D38) the players entered a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 67 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.

When the dust settled, Alireza Firouzja won with the black pieces. 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 Alireza Firouzja?

In the 266 games between them in our database (2018 to 2025) Carlsen leads 135–65 with 66 draws. This game is number 18 of 266.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja played?

At the Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup, round 7.1, on 15 April 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Alireza Firouzja (Black), at Chess24 Banter Blitz Cup in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Gambit Declined (ECO code D38). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

Alireza Firouzja won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 67 moves (134 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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