Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen, Saint Louis Blitz 2020

Sicilian Defense (B50) · 1-0 (Pentala Harikrishna won) · 63 moves · Round 3.2 · 18 September 2020

♔
White
Pentala Harikrishna
1 – 0
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhitePentala Harikrishna
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result1-0 · Pentala Harikrishna won
  • EventSaint Louis Blitz 2020
  • Round3.2
  • Date18 September 2020
  • OpeningSicilian Defense (B50)
  • Length63 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 19 of 28 between Magnus Carlsen and Pentala Harikrishna in the Rama Chess database (2004–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 15–2 with 11 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Harikrishna, 1-0 (Saint Louis Rapid 2020, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Harikrishna, 1-0 (Saint Louis Blitz 2020, 2020).

The moves of Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen, Saint Louis Blitz 2020

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c3 Nf6 4.Be2 Bd7 5.Qc2 Bc6 6.d3 Nbd7 7.O-O e6 8.Nbd2 Rc8 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Be7 11.Nxc6 Rxc6 12.Nb3 O-O 13.Be3 a6 14.Rad1 Rc8 15.f4 Qc7 16.Kh1 b5 17.Bd3 g6 18.Qe2 Nb6 19.f5 gxf5 20.exf5 e5 21.Nd2 Kh8 22.Ne4 Nbd5 23.Nxf6 Nxf6 24.Bg5 d5 25.Bc2 Rcd8 26.Bb3 e4 27.Bxf6+ Bxf6 28.Bxd5 Rfe8 29.Bxe4 Rxd1 30.Rxd1 b4 31.Qxa6 Kg7 32.Qd3 bxc3 33.bxc3 Qe5 34.Bf3 Qe1+ 35.Qf1 Qxc3 36.Qf2 Qe5 37.Qg3+ Qxg3 38.hxg3 Re5 39.g4 Ra5 40.Bd5 Ra4 41.Bb3 Rxg4 42.Rd7 Kh6 43.Rxf7 Rh4+ 44.Kg1 Kg5 45.Be6 h5 46.Kf2 Rb4 47.Rf8 h4 48.Ke3 Bd4+ 49.Kf3 Bc5 50.Rg8+ Kf6 51.Rg6+ Ke5 52.Rg4 Rb1 53.Re4+ Kf6 54.Rxh4 Rf1+ 55.Ke4 Kg5 56.Rh8 Re1+ 57.Kd5 Ba3 58.Rg8+ Kf4 59.g3+ Kf3 60.f6 Rd1+ 61.Kc4 Rd6 62.Bd5+ Ke3 63.Ra8 1-0

In this encounter Pentala Harikrishna had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Saint Louis Blitz 2020 in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Sicilian Defense (B50), sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

At 63 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.

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, Pentala Harikrishna won with the white pieces. 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 Pentala Harikrishna?

In the 28 games between them in our database (2004 to 2025) Carlsen leads 15–2 with 11 draws. This game is number 19 of 28.

Where and when was Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Saint Louis Blitz 2020, round 3.2, on 18 September 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Pentala Harikrishna (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Saint Louis Blitz 2020 in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Sicilian Defense (ECO code B50). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

Pentala Harikrishna won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 63 moves (125 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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