Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh, FIDE World Cup 2023

Sicilian Defense (B22) · ½-½ (Draw) · 59 moves · Round 6.2 · 16 August 2023

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
D Gukesh
♚
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Moves
0 / 117

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackD Gukesh
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventFIDE World Cup 2023
  • Round6.2
  • Date16 August 2023
  • OpeningSicilian Defense (B22)
  • Length59 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 42 of 55 between Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh in the Rama Chess database (2021–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 38–11 with 6 draws.

Previous game: Gukesh vs Carlsen, 0-1 (FIDE World Cup 2023, 2023).

Next game: Gukesh vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Superbet POL Rapid 2024, 2024).

Carlsen vs Gukesh: all 55 gamesAll Carlsen games at FIDE World Cup 2023Carlsen in the Sicilian DefenseCarlsen games of 2023D Gukesh profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh, FIDE World Cup 2023

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Be2 cxd4 7.cxd4 Nc6 8.O-O Be7 9.Nc3 Qd6 10.Nb5 Qd8 11.Bf4 Nd5 12.Bg3 O-O 13.Rc1 Bd7 14.Nc3 Qb6 15.Bc4 Nf6 16.Na4 Qa5 17.Nc5 Bc8 18.a3 Qd8 19.Bb5 Qb6 20.a4 Rd8 21.Qe2 Rd5 22.Bxc6 Qxc6 23.b3 Rd8 24.Bh4 Qd5 25.Rfe1 b6 26.Ne4 Bb7 27.Bxf6 Bxf6 28.Nxf6+ gxf6 29.Qe3 Rac8 30.h3 Qf5 31.Nh2 Qg5 32.Ng4 Kg7 33.a5 Qxe3 34.Nxe3 Rxd4 35.Rxc8 Bxc8 36.Rc1 Bd7 37.Rc7 bxa5 38.Rxa7 a4 39.bxa4 Bxa4 40.Ra5 Kg6 41.g4 Bc6 42.Rc5 Be4 43.Kh2 Rd3 44.Kg3 f5 45.Kf4 f6 46.gxf5+ Bxf5 47.Nxf5 exf5 48.f3 Rd4+ 49.Kg3 Kg5 50.Rc2 h5 51.Ra2 f4+ 52.Kg2 Kh4 53.Kh2 Rd7 54.Rb2 Rd3 55.Kg2 Kg5 56.Rb5+ f5 57.Rb2 Kf6 58.h4 Ke5 59.Kf2 1/2-1/2

Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh met over the board in this full-length game at FIDE World Cup 2023 in 2023. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Sicilian Defense (B22), sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

Running to 59 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.

When the dust settled, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh. 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 D Gukesh?

In the 55 games between them in our database (2021 to 2025) Carlsen leads 38–11 with 6 draws. This game is number 42 of 55.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs D Gukesh played?

At the FIDE World Cup 2023, round 6.2, on 16 August 2023.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and D Gukesh (Black), at FIDE World Cup 2023 in 2023.

What opening was played?

The game used Sicilian Defense (ECO code B22). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and D Gukesh.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 59 moves (117 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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