Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin, 5th Final Masters 2012

Queen's Indian Defense (E15) · ½-½ (Draw) · 67 moves · Round 3 · 26 September 2012

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Sergey Karjakin
♚
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Moves
0 / 134

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackSergey Karjakin
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event5th Final Masters 2012
  • Round3
  • Date26 September 2012
  • OpeningQueen's Indian Defense (E15)
  • Length67 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 32 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, 1-0 (World Blitz Final, 2012).

Next game: Karjakin vs Carlsen, ½-½ (5th Final Masters, 2012).

Carlsen vs Karjakin: all 95 gamesCarlsen in the Queen's Indian DefenseCarlsen games of 2012Sergey Karjakin profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin, 5th Final Masters 2012

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.Nbd2 d5 6.Bg2 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.Ne5 c5 9.dxc5 Qc7 10.Ndf3 bxc5 11.cxd5 Nxd5 12.Qc2 Nc6 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Bg5 f6 15.Bd2 Qb6 16.Rfe1 Rfd8 17.a3 Rab8 18.Rab1 Bf8 19.h4 Qb3 20.Qe4 Nb6 21.Bc3 Bb7 22.Qg4 e5 23.Nd2 Qf7 24.Bxb7 Rxb7 25.Nf1 Nc4 26.Red1 Rdb8 27.Qe4 Nd6 28.Qc2 Qg6 29.Qxg6 hxg6 30.Nd2 Kf7 31.e3 Nb5 32.Ba5 Nd6 33.Rbc1 Rb5 34.Bc7 R8b7 35.Bxd6 Bxd6 36.Nc4 Be7 37.e4 Ke6 38.Kg2 Rb8 39.Rd2 Rd8 40.Rxd8 Bxd8 41.Rd1 Be7 42.Rd3 Rb8 43.Kf3 Rb7 44.Ke2 Rb8 45.Kd2 f5 46.Rd5 Rd8 47.Rxd8 Bxd8 48.Kd3 f4 49.Ke2 g5 50.gxf4 exf4 51.hxg5 Bxg5 52.Kf3 Bh4 53.a4 a6 54.b3 g5 55.Na5 Ke5 56.Nc6+ Kd6 57.Na5 Ke5 58.Nc4+ Kd4 59.a5 Bxf2 60.Kxf2 Kxe4 61.Nd6+ Kd5 62.Ne8 Kc6 63.Nf6 Kb5 64.Ne4 g4 65.Ke2 Kxa5 66.Nxc5 Kb4 67.Nxa6+ Kxb3 1/2-1/2

A marathon in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Sergey Karjakin at 5th Final Masters in 2012. It was played in round 3. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed Queen's Indian Defense (E15) — a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

At 67 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, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin. 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 32 of 95.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Sergey Karjakin played?

At the 5th Final Masters, round 3, on 26 September 2012.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Sergey Karjakin (Black), at 5th Final Masters in 2012.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Indian Defense (ECO code E15). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Sergey Karjakin.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 67 moves (134 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 Queen's Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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