Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand, Tal Memorial Blitz 2008

Sicilian Defense (B81) · ½-½ (Draw) · 60 moves · Round 34 · 30 August 2008

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Boris Gelfand
♚
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Moves
0 / 120

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackBoris Gelfand
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventTal Memorial Blitz 2008
  • Round34
  • Date30 August 2008
  • OpeningSicilian Defense (B81)
  • Length60 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 15 of 45 between Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand in the Rama Chess database (2005–2022). In all their games Carlsen leads 19–5 with 21 draws.

Previous game: Gelfand vs Carlsen, 0-1 (Tal Memorial Blitz, 2008).

Next game: Gelfand vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Tal Memorial, 2009).

Carlsen vs Gelfand: all 45 gamesAll Carlsen games at Tal Memorial BlitzCarlsen in the Sicilian DefenseCarlsen games of 2008Boris Gelfand profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand, Tal Memorial Blitz 2008

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e6 7.g4 d5 8.Bg2 Nxe4 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.O-O Nd7 11.Bxe4 Be7 12.c3 O-O 13.Qf3 Qc7 14.Bf4 Bd6 15.Bxd6 Qxd6 16.Rad1 Qc7 17.Qg3 Qxg3+ 18.fxg3 Rb8 19.Nb3 b5 20.Rd6 Ne5 21.Na5 h6 22.b3 Re8 23.Rfd1 f5 24.gxf5 exf5 25.Bg2 Nf7 26.Rc6 Ne5 27.Rc5 Rb6 28.c4 Kf8 29.Nc6 Nf7 30.cxb5 axb5 31.Nb4 Be6 32.Bc6 Reb8 33.Re1 Nd8 34.Bd5 Bd7 35.Bf3 Rd6 36.Rd5 Rbb6 37.Red1 Ke7 38.Rxd6 Rxd6 39.Nd5+ Kf8 40.Rc1 Bc6 41.Rd1 Ne6 42.Kf2 Ng5 43.Nf4 Rxd1 44.Bxd1 Ne4+ 45.Ke3 Nxg3 46.Ne6+ Kg8 47.Kf4 Ne4 48.Kxf5 Nc3 49.Bc2 Nxa2 50.Ke5 Nb4 51.Bg6 Bg2 52.h4 Nc6+ 53.Kd6 b4 54.Kc5 Ne5 55.Bc2 g5 56.hxg5 hxg5 57.Nxg5 Kf8 58.Kxb4 Ke7 59.Kc5 Nd7+ 60.Kb5 Kd6 1/2-1/2

This full-length game sees Magnus Carlsen take on Boris Gelfand at Tal Memorial Blitz in 2008. It was played in round 34. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

The game opened with Sicilian Defense (B81), sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

Running to 60 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.

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

After the contest, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand. 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 Boris Gelfand?

In the 45 games between them in our database (2005 to 2022) Carlsen leads 19–5 with 21 draws. This game is number 15 of 45.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand played?

At the Tal Memorial Blitz, round 34, on 30 August 2008.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Boris Gelfand (Black), at Tal Memorial Blitz in 2008.

What opening was played?

The game used Sicilian Defense (ECO code B81). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 60 moves (120 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 Sicilian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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