Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk, 4th Final Master Playoff 2011

Nimzo-Indian Defense (E21) · ½-½ (Draw) · 79 moves · Round 1 · 11 October 2011

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Vassily Ivanchuk
♚
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Moves
0 / 157

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackVassily Ivanchuk
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event4th Final Master Playoff 2011
  • Round1
  • Date11 October 2011
  • OpeningNimzo-Indian Defense (E21)
  • Length79 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 49 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, 1-0 (4th Final Masters, 2011).

Next game: Ivanchuk vs Carlsen, 0-1 (4th Final Master Playoff, 2011).

Carlsen vs Ivanchuk: all 75 gamesCarlsen in the Nimzo-Indian DefenseCarlsen games of 2011Vassily Ivanchuk profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk, 4th Final Master Playoff 2011

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Qc2 Bb7 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.Qxc3 d6 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bg2 a5 10.b3 O-O 11.O-O Qb8 12.Re1 Re8 13.Bb2 Be4 14.Bf1 e5 15.Nd2 exd4 16.Qxd4 Bc6 17.e4 b5 18.cxb5 Bxb5 19.Bg2 Ne5 20.Rad1 Nd3 21.Re3 Nxb2 22.Qxb2 Ng4 23.Rc3 Qb6 24.Nc4 Bxc4 25.Rxc4 Rab8 26.Rc3 Re7 27.Qc2 g6 28.h3 Nf6 29.Kh2 h5 30.f4 Qb5 31.Rd4 Qb6 32.Qd3 Rbe8 33.e5 dxe5 34.fxe5 Nh7 35.Rc6 Qa7 36.Qc4 Nf8 37.Ra6 Qb8 38.Ra8 Qb6 39.Ra6 Qb8 40.Bc6 Rxe5 41.Bxe8 Qxe8 42.Rd2 Ne6 43.Rf2 Qd7 44.Qc3 Nd4 45.Raf6 Rf5 46.R6xf5 Nxf5 47.Rd2 Qe7 48.Rf2 Qxa3 49.g4 Qd6+ 50.Kg2 Nh4+ 51.Kg1 hxg4 52.hxg4 Qd1+ 53.Kh2 Qxg4 54.Qg3 Qxg3+ 55.Kxg3 Nf5+ 56.Kf4 Nd4 57.Rb2 Ne6+ 58.Ke5 Kg7 59.Ra2 g5 60.Rxa5 Kg6 61.Ra8 Kg7 62.b4 Nf4 63.Kf5 Ne6 64.Rc8 g4 65.Kxg4 Kf6 66.Kf3 Ke5 67.Ke3 Kd5 68.Kd3 f5 69.Rh8 Nf4+ 70.Ke3 Ke5 71.b5 Ne6 72.Kd3 Kd5 73.Kc3 Kc5 74.Re8 Nf4 75.Re5+ Nd5+ 76.Kd3 c6 77.bxc6 Kxc6 78.Rxf5 Kd6 79.Ke4 1/2-1/2

This marathon sees Magnus Carlsen take on Vassily Ivanchuk at 4th Final Master Playoff in 2011. It was played in round 1. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed Nimzo-Indian Defense (E21) — a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

At 79 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.

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 Vassily Ivanchuk. 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 49 of 75.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Vassily Ivanchuk played?

At the 4th Final Master Playoff, round 1, on 11 October 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Vassily Ivanchuk (Black), at 4th Final Master Playoff in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO code E21). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Vassily Ivanchuk.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 79 moves (157 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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