Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, Magnus-Alireza Bullet 2021

Indian Defenses (A48) · 0-1 (Alireza Firouzja won) · 44 moves · Round 1 · 22 February 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
0 – 1
Black
Alireza Firouzja
♚
Analyse This Game Practice
Moves
0 / 88

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackAlireza Firouzja
  • Result0-1 · Alireza Firouzja won
  • EventMagnus-Alireza Bullet 2021
  • Round1
  • Date22 February 2021
  • OpeningIndian Defenses (A48)
  • Length44 moves
  • Type of eventOther events

This is game 33 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, 1-0 (83rd Tata Steel Masters, 2021).

Next game: Firouzja vs Carlsen, 1-0 (Magnus-Alireza Bullet, 2021).

Carlsen vs Firouzja: all 266 gamesAll Carlsen games at Magnus-Alireza BulletCarlsen in the Indian DefensesCarlsen games of 2021Alireza Firouzja profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja, Magnus-Alireza Bullet 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.h3 Nc6 7.Bh2 Nd7 8.O-O e5 9.c4 f5 10.Nc3 g5 11.Nd5 h6 12.dxe5 dxe5 13.Qb3 Kh8 14.Rad1 a5 15.Qa3 Re8 16.b4 f4 17.b5 Ne7 18.b6 cxb6 19.Rfe1 Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Qf6 21.Red1 Nc5 22.Rd6 Qf8 23.Rxb6 Bf5 24.Rb5 Rac8 25.Qxa5 Ra8 26.Qb4 Ne4 27.Qxf8+ Rxf8 28.Rxb7 Rxa2 29.Bd3 Nxf2 30.Bb1 Nxd1 31.Bxa2 Nxe3 32.c5 Ra8 33.Bb3 Bd3 34.Kf2 e4 35.c6 Ra1 36.Rb8+ Kh7 37.Bg8+ Kg6 38.Nd2 Bd4 39.Bxf4 gxf4 40.g4 Nxg4+ 41.Kg2 Ne3+ 42.Kh2 f3 43.Kg3 Be5+ 44.Kh4 Bxb8 0-1

A full-length game in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Alireza Firouzja at Magnus-Alireza Bullet in 2021. It was played in round 1. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Indian Defenses (A48), a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

Running to 44 moves, the game moved through a full middlegame into an endgame, showing how an advantage is carried between phases.

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 33 of 266.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja played?

At the Magnus-Alireza Bullet, round 1, on 22 February 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Alireza Firouzja (Black), at Magnus-Alireza Bullet in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Indian Defenses (ECO code A48). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Alireza Firouzja won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 44 moves (88 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 Indian Defenses collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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