Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura, 2nd London Chess Classic 2010

English Opening (A10) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 59 moves · Round 4 · 11 December 2010

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Hikaru Nakamura
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackHikaru Nakamura
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • Event2nd London Chess Classic 2010
  • Round4
  • Date11 December 2010
  • OpeningEnglish Opening (A10)
  • Length59 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 15 of 408 between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura in the Rama Chess database (2005–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 144–82 with 182 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, 0-1 (VI World Blitz, 2010).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, 1-0 (73rd Tata Steel GMA, 2011).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura, 2nd London Chess Classic 2010

1.c4 f5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 d6 4.Nc3 g6 5.e3 Bg7 6.Nge2 O-O 7.O-O e5 8.b3 Nbd7 9.d3 c6 10.Ba3 Qc7 11.Qd2 Re8 12.Rae1 Nc5 13.h3 e4 14.dxe4 Nfxe4 15.Qc2 Nxc3 16.Nxc3 Be6 17.Rd1 Rad8 18.Bb2 Bf7 19.Rd2 a5 20.Rfd1 Be5 21.Ne2 a4 22.b4 Nd7 23.Bd4 Nb6 24.Bxb6 Qxb6 25.Rb1 Qc7 26.Nd4 Rc8 27.Rc1 Qe7 28.Rd3 c5 29.bxc5 Rxc5 30.Qxa4 Rec8 31.Rb1 Rxc4 32.Qd1 b6 33.Nb5 R4c5 34.Nxd6 Bxd6 35.Rxd6 Bxa2 36.Ra1 Rc1 37.Rxc1 Rxc1 38.Rxg6+ hxg6 39.Qxc1 Qd6 40.h4 Bf7 41.h5 Kh7 42.hxg6+ Kxg6 43.Qc2 b5 44.g4 Qe5 45.gxf5+ Kg7 46.Qe4 Qd6 47.Qh4 Bc4 48.Bf3 Qf6 49.Qxf6+ Kxf6 50.Be4 Ba2 51.f4 b4 52.Kf2 b3 53.Bd5 Kxf5 54.Kf3 Kf6 55.e4 Kg6 56.Ke3 Kh5 57.Kd4 Kg4 58.f5 Kg5 59.Ke5 1-0

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Hikaru Nakamura at 2nd London Chess Classic in 2010. It was played in round 4. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

The game opened with English Opening (A10), a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

Running to 59 moves, the game moved through a full middlegame into an endgame, showing how an advantage is carried between phases.

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, Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces. Step through the moves on the interactive board above and try the position trainer to sharpen your own play.

Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura?

In the 408 games between them in our database (2005 to 2025) Carlsen leads 144–82 with 182 draws. This game is number 15 of 408.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura played?

At the 2nd London Chess Classic, round 4, on 11 December 2010.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Hikaru Nakamura (Black), at 2nd London Chess Classic in 2010.

What opening was played?

The game used English Opening (ECO code A10). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 59 moves (117 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 English Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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