Sergey Karjakin vs Magnus Carlsen, Tal Memorial Blitz 2008

Caro-Kann Defense (B12) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 70 moves · Round 28 · 30 August 2008

♔
White
Sergey Karjakin
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 140

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteSergey Karjakin
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventTal Memorial Blitz 2008
  • Round28
  • Date30 August 2008
  • OpeningCaro-Kann Defense (B12)
  • Length70 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 12 of 95 between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin in the Rama Chess database (2005–2021). In all their games Carlsen leads 33–15 with 47 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Karjakin, 0-1 (Tal Memorial Blitz, 2008).

Next game: Carlsen vs Karjakin, ½-½ (Corus A, 2009).

Carlsen vs Karjakin: all 95 gamesAll Carlsen games at Tal Memorial BlitzCarlsen in the Caro-Kann DefenseCarlsen games of 2008Sergey Karjakin profile

The moves of Sergey Karjakin vs Magnus Carlsen, Tal Memorial Blitz 2008

1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.Be2 Nd7 6.O-O Bg6 7.Nbd2 Nh6 8.c4 Be7 9.Qb3 Rb8 10.Qc3 O-O 11.c5 f6 12.exf6 Bxf6 13.b4 Nf7 14.Nb3 e5 15.Be3 Re8 16.Rfe1 e4 17.Nfd2 Nh6 18.Nf1 Nf5 19.Bf4 Rc8 20.Ne3 Nf8 21.Bg4 Nxe3 22.fxe3 Ne6 23.Bd6 h5 24.Bh3 Ra8 25.Na5 Qd7 26.Rf1 b6 27.Nb3 Qb7 28.a4 Ng5 29.Bf5 Bxf5 30.Rxf5 Qd7 31.Raf1 Nf3+ 32.R1xf3 exf3 33.Rxf3 bxc5 34.bxc5 Re6 35.Qd3 Rae8 36.Nd2 Qb7 37.h3 Qb4 38.Nf1 Qb7 39.Ng3 Qf7 40.Be5 h4 41.Ne2 Rxe5 42.dxe5 Rxe5 43.Nd4 Qe8 44.a5 Re4 45.Nf5 Qe5 46.Nd4 Qc7 47.a6 Bxd4 48.exd4 Qe7 49.Rf1 Qg5 50.Rb1 Kh7 51.Rf1 Kh6 52.Rf3 Qg6 53.Kh2 Qe6 54.Qd2+ Kh7 55.Qf2 Qh6 56.Rf5 Qg6 57.Qf3 Rxd4 58.Rh5+ Kg8 59.Rf5 Re4 60.Rf8+ Kh7 61.Ra8 Qg5 62.Qc3 Qf4+ 63.Kh1 Qf1+ 64.Kh2 Re1 65.Qc2+ g6 66.Rxa7+ Kh6 67.Qd2+ g5 68.Qxe1 Qxe1 69.Rb7 Qe5+ 70.Kh1 Qa1+ 0-1

In this encounter Sergey Karjakin had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Tal Memorial Blitz in 2008. It was played in round 28. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

The game opened with Caro-Kann Defense (B12), sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

At 70 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.

When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the black 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 Sergey Karjakin?

In the 95 games between them in our database (2005 to 2021) Carlsen leads 33–15 with 47 draws. This game is number 12 of 95.

Where and when was Sergey Karjakin vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Tal Memorial Blitz, round 28, on 30 August 2008.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Sergey Karjakin (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Tal Memorial Blitz in 2008.

What opening was played?

The game used Caro-Kann Defense (ECO code B12). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 70 moves (140 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 Caro-Kann Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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