Vassily Ivanchuk vs Magnus Carlsen, 6th Tal Memorial 2011

Grünfeld Defense (D82) · ½-½ (Draw) · 74 moves · Round 5 · 20 November 2011

♔
White
Vassily Ivanchuk
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 147

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteVassily Ivanchuk
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event6th Tal Memorial 2011
  • Round5
  • Date20 November 2011
  • OpeningGrünfeld Defense (D82)
  • Length74 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 51 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: Ivanchuk vs Carlsen, 0-1 (4th Final Master Playoff, 2011).

Next game: Ivanchuk vs Carlsen, ½-½ (74th Tata Steel GMA, 2012).

Carlsen vs Ivanchuk: all 75 gamesCarlsen in the Grünfeld DefenseCarlsen games of 2011Vassily Ivanchuk profile

The moves of Vassily Ivanchuk vs Magnus Carlsen, 6th Tal Memorial 2011

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 c5 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.Qb3 Na6 8.cxd5 Nxc5 9.Qb5+ Qxb5 10.Bxb5+ Bd7 11.Rd1 Nh5 12.Bxd7+ Kxd7 13.Bg3 b5 14.d6 e6 15.Nf3 b4 16.Nb5 Nxg3 17.hxg3 Rab8 18.Nbd4 h5 19.Rh4 f5 20.Ne2 e5 21.Rc4 Rhc8 22.Kf1 Ne4 23.Rc7+ Rxc7 24.dxc7+ Kxc7 25.Nd2 Nxd2+ 26.Rxd2 a5 27.b3 a4 28.bxa4 Ra8 29.Nc1 e4 30.Ne2 Rxa4 31.Nf4 Bc3 32.Rc2 Kd6 33.Ke2 g5 34.Nxh5 Kd5 35.f3 g4 36.Nf4+ Kc4 37.Ne6 Ra6 38.Nf4 Rh6 39.fxg4 fxg4 40.Rc1 Ra6 41.Rc2 Rh6 42.Rc1 Rd6 43.Rc2 Ra6 44.Kf2 Rh6 45.Ke2 Rh1 46.Ng6 Re1+ 47.Kf2 Ra1 48.Nf4 Rb1 49.Ne6 Rd1 50.Nf4 Rd6 51.Ke2 Rc6 52.Rc1 Kb5 53.Nd5 Rc5 54.Nf4 Rc6 55.Nd5 Rc5 56.Nf4 Ka4 57.Ne6 Rd5 58.Rc2 Ka3 59.Nd4 Rc5 60.Nb3 Rd5 61.Nd4 Bxd4 62.Rd2 Bc3 63.Rxd5 Kxa2 64.Kd1 b3 65.Rb5 Kb2 66.Rb8 Bf6 67.Kd2 Bc3+ 68.Kd1 Bf6 69.Rf8 Bc3 70.Re8 Ka2 71.Ra8+ Kb1 72.Ra4 b2 73.Ra6 Ba5 74.Rxa5 1/2-1/2

A marathon in which Vassily Ivanchuk was paired against Magnus Carlsen at 6th Tal Memorial in 2011. It was played in round 5. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

The game opened with Grünfeld Defense (D82), a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 74 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, the game was drawn between Vassily Ivanchuk and Magnus Carlsen. 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 51 of 75.

Where and when was Vassily Ivanchuk vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the 6th Tal Memorial, round 5, on 20 November 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Vassily Ivanchuk (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 6th Tal Memorial in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used Grünfeld Defense (ECO code D82). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Vassily Ivanchuk and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 74 moves (147 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 Grünfeld Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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