Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen, Charity Cup Prelim 2022

French Defense (C11) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 61 moves · Round 2.7 · 19 March 2022

♔
White
Pentala Harikrishna
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhitePentala Harikrishna
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventCharity Cup Prelim 2022
  • Round2.7
  • Date19 March 2022
  • OpeningFrench Defense (C11)
  • Length61 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 23 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, ½-½ (83rd Tata Steel Masters, 2021).

Next game: Harikrishna vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Chessable Masters Prelim, 2022).

The moves of Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen, Charity Cup Prelim 2022

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.Nce2 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Nf3 Be7 8.a3 O-O 9.Nf4 Qa5 10.b4 cxb4 11.Bd3 bxc3 12.Qc2 h6 13.Rb1 Nxd4 14.Nxd4 Nxe5 15.Be2 Nc6 16.Nb3 Qd8 17.Qd3 d4 18.Nh5 e5 19.O-O g6 20.Ng3 h5 21.f4 exf4 22.Bxf4 h4 23.Ne4 Bf5 24.g4 hxg3 25.Bxg3 Qd5 26.Bf3 Ne5 27.Nf6+ Bxf6 28.Qxf5 Nxf3+ 29.Qxf3 Qxf3 30.Rxf3 Bg7 31.Na1 Rfe8 32.Kf1 Rad8 33.Rd1 b5 34.Nc2 a5 35.Bf2 Rb8 36.Bxd4 b4 37.axb4 axb4 38.Bxg7 Kxg7 39.Na1 Ra8 40.Rf2 f5 41.Nb3 Re3 42.Rb1 Rc8 43.Nd4 Rc4 44.Nc2 Ree4 45.Re2 Rh4 46.Kg2 Kf6 47.h3 Kg5 48.Kh2 Kf6 49.Kg3 g5 50.Rbe1 Rc6 51.Rb1 Rb6 52.Rb3 Kg6 53.Re8 Rd6 54.Rg8+ Kf6 55.Rf8+ Ke6 56.Re8+ Kf7 57.Re2 Rd3+ 58.Kg2 f4 59.Rf2 Rdxh3 60.Nxb4 Rg3+ 61.Kf1 Rh1+ 0-1

A marathon in which Pentala Harikrishna was paired against Magnus Carlsen at Charity Cup Prelim in 2022. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From French Defense (C11) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 61 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.

When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the black 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 23 of 28.

Where and when was Pentala Harikrishna vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Charity Cup Prelim, round 2.7, on 19 March 2022.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Pentala Harikrishna (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Charity Cup Prelim in 2022.

What opening was played?

The game used French Defense (ECO code C11). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 61 moves (122 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 French Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

More chess on YouTube: Stockfish100 Best Chess Channel