Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand, Tal Mem 2007

English Opening (A20) · ½-½ (Draw) · 37 moves · Round 7 · 17 November 2007

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Boris Gelfand
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackBoris Gelfand
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventTal Mem 2007
  • Round7
  • Date17 November 2007
  • OpeningEnglish Opening (A20)
  • Length37 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 8 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: Carlsen vs Gelfand, ½-½ (Sparkassen GM, 2007).

Next game: Gelfand vs Carlsen, ½-½ (World Blitz, 2007).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand, Tal Mem 2007

1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.O-O Be7 7.d4 e4 8.Ne5 f5 9.Nxc6 bxc6 10.Nc3 O-O 11.f3 exf3 12.exf3 Bf6 13.Re1 Rb8 14.f4 Rb4 15.Nxd5 cxd5 16.Be3 Rxb2 17.Qa4 a6 18.Rab1 Rxb1 19.Rxb1 Qd6 20.Rc1 Bd7 21.Qa5 Bb5 22.Qxc7 Qxc7 23.Rxc7 Bc4 24.Rc5 Bxa2 25.Bxd5+ Bxd5 26.Rxd5 Ra8 27.Rxf5 a5 28.Rc5 a4 29.Rc2 a3 30.Ra2 Kf7 31.f5 g6 32.fxg6+ hxg6 33.Kg2 Ke6 34.Bc1 Be7 35.h4 Kd5 36.g4 Kc4 37.g5 Kxd4 1/2-1/2

A middlegame battle in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Boris Gelfand at Tal Mem in 2007. It was played in round 7. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

From English Opening (A20) the players entered a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

Lasting 37 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.

Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.

In the end, 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 8 of 45.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand played?

At the Tal Mem, round 7, on 17 November 2007.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Boris Gelfand (Black), at Tal Mem in 2007.

What opening was played?

The game used English Opening (ECO code A20). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 37 moves (74 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 English Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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