Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk, XXII Rapid KO 2009

Benoni Defense (A70) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 61 moves · Round 2.7 · 7 June 2009

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Vassily Ivanchuk
♚
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Moves
0 / 121

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackVassily Ivanchuk
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventXXII Rapid KO 2009
  • Round2.7
  • Date7 June 2009
  • OpeningBenoni Defense (A70)
  • Length61 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 36 of 75 between Magnus Carlsen and Vassily Ivanchuk in the Rama Chess database (2005–2024). In all their games Carlsen leads 24–18 with 33 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Ivanchuk, ½-½ (XXII Rapid KO, 2009).

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

Carlsen vs Ivanchuk: all 75 gamesCarlsen in the Benoni DefenseCarlsen games of 2009Vassily Ivanchuk profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk, XXII Rapid KO 2009

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.Nf3 a6 8.Qe2 Bg4 9.e5 dxe5 10.Qxe5+ Qe7 11.Qxe7+ Bxe7 12.Ne5 Nbd7 13.Nxg4 Nxg4 14.Bf4 Nge5 15.O-O-O Bd6 16.Kb1 f5 17.h3 O-O-O 18.Be2 Nf7 19.Bc1 Rhe8 20.Rhe1 Be5 21.Bf1 Nd6 22.Bg5 Bf6 23.Be3 b5 24.a4 c4 25.axb5 axb5 26.Na2 Kb7 27.Nb4 Ra8 28.Nc6 Ne4 29.g4 Nb6 30.gxf5 gxf5 31.Bg2 Na4 32.Bd4 Bxd4 33.Nxd4 Kb6 34.d6 Rad8 35.Nxf5 Nxf2 36.Rxe8 Rxe8 37.d7 Rd8 38.Rd6+ Kc7 39.Bc6 Nc5 40.Bxb5 Nxd7 41.Rc6+ Kb8 42.Rxc4 Nxh3 43.Ne7 Ne5 44.Re4 Nf3 45.Nc6+ Kc7 46.Re7+ Rd7 47.Rxd7+ Kxd7 48.Ne5+ Kd6 49.Nxf3 Nf4 50.Kc1 h5 51.Bf1 Kc5 52.Kc2 Kb4 53.Ne5 Nd5 54.Nd3+ Ka5 55.Kb3 h4 56.Bg2 Ne3 57.Bh3 Nd5 58.Kc4 Nb6+ 59.Kd4 Na4 60.b4+ Kb6 61.Bd7 1-0

A marathon in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Vassily Ivanchuk at XXII Rapid KO in 2009. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed Benoni Defense (A70) — a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

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.

Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.

After the contest, Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces. 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 Vassily Ivanchuk?

In the 75 games between them in our database (2005 to 2024) Carlsen leads 24–18 with 33 draws. This game is number 36 of 75.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk played?

At the XXII Rapid KO, round 2.7, on 7 June 2009.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Vassily Ivanchuk (Black), at XXII Rapid KO in 2009.

What opening was played?

The game used Benoni Defense (ECO code A70). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 61 moves (121 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 Benoni Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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