Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, CCT Final Playoff 2023

Queen's Gambit Declined (D45) · 0-1 (Alireza Firouzja won) · 36 moves · Round 7.1 · 12 December 2023

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
0 – 1
Black
Alireza Firouzja
♚
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Moves
0 / 72

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackAlireza Firouzja
  • Result0-1 · Alireza Firouzja won
  • EventCCT Final Playoff 2023
  • Round7.1
  • Date12 December 2023
  • OpeningQueen's Gambit Declined (D45)
  • Length36 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 181 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: Carlsen vs Firouzja, ½-½ (Titled Tue 5th Dec Late, 2023).

Next game: Carlsen vs Firouzja, 1-0 (CCT Final Playoff 2023, 2023).

Carlsen vs Firouzja: all 266 gamesAll Carlsen games at CCT Final Playoff 2023Carlsen in the Queen's Gambit DeclinedCarlsen games of 2023Alireza Firouzja profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, CCT Final Playoff 2023

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Bd6 7.Bd2 O-O 8.O-O-O a6 9.e4 e5 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Bg5 Be6 13.exd5 Bd7 14.Kb1 Rc8 15.Bd3 h6 16.Bh4 Nxf3 17.gxf3 Be5 18.Rhe1 Bxc3 19.bxc3 g5 20.Bg3 Qa5 21.c4 Nxd5 22.Bh7+ Kh8 23.Be5+ f6 24.Be4 Ba4 25.Qd2 Qb6+ 26.Bb2 Nf4 27.Qd6 Qxd6 28.Rxd6 Kg7 29.Bxb7 Rxc4 30.Re7+ Kg8 31.Bxa6 Rc2 32.Bd3 Nxd3 33.Rxd3 Rb8 34.Rb3 Bxb3 35.axb3 Rxf2 36.Bxf6 Rxb3+ 0-1

This middlegame battle sees Magnus Carlsen take on Alireza Firouzja at CCT Final Playoff 2023 in 2023. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Queen's Gambit Declined (D45) the players entered a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

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, Alireza Firouzja won with the black pieces. 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 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 181 of 266.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja played?

At the CCT Final Playoff 2023, round 7.1, on 12 December 2023.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Alireza Firouzja (Black), at CCT Final Playoff 2023 in 2023.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Gambit Declined (ECO code D45). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

Alireza Firouzja won with the black pieces.

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 Queen's Gambit Declined collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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