Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Tour Final 2020

Alekhine's Defense (B03) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 58 moves · Round 2.55 · 18 August 2020

♔
White
Hikaru Nakamura
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteHikaru Nakamura
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventCarlsen Tour Final 2020
  • Round2.55
  • Date18 August 2020
  • OpeningAlekhine's Defense (B03)
  • Length58 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 172 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: Nakamura vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Carlsen Tour Final 2020, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, ½-½ (Carlsen Tour Final 2020, 2020).

The moves of Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Tour Final 2020

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 Bf5 7.Nc3 e6 8.Nf3 Bb4 9.Be2 c5 10.a3 Bxc3+ 11.bxc3 Nc6 12.O-O O-O 13.Be3 Na5 14.Nd2 Bg6 15.Qe1 Na4 16.Nf3 Nb2 17.Bg5 Qd7 18.Qh4 cxd4 19.cxd4 Nbxc4 20.Qg4 Qd5 21.Rae1 Rac8 22.h4 h5 23.Qg3 Nxa3 24.Bf6 Nc2 25.Bd3 Nxe1 26.Rxe1 Qd7 27.d5 Rc3 28.Re3 Rxd3 29.Rxd3 exd5 30.e6 Qxe6 31.Bd4 Nc6 32.Rd2 Qg4 33.Qf2 Be4 34.Ne5 Nxe5 35.Bxe5 Rc8 36.Kh2 f6 37.Bd4 b6 38.Ra2 Rc2 39.Rxc2 Bxc2 40.Bxf6 gxf6 41.Qxc2 Qxh4+ 42.Kg1 Qe1+ 43.Kh2 Qe5+ 44.Kh1 Kg7 45.Qc6 d4 46.Qb7+ Kh6 47.Qxa7 d3 48.Qd7 Qe1+ 49.Kh2 d2 50.Qd8 Qh4+ 51.Kg1 Qf4 52.Qh8+ Kg5 53.Qg8+ Kh4 54.Qd5 Qe3+ 55.Kh2 Qe5+ 56.g3+ Qxg3+ 57.Kh1 Qe1+ 58.Kg2 Qe2+ 0-1

Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this full-length game at Carlsen Tour Final 2020 in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Alekhine's Defense (B03) — sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

Running to 58 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.

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 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 172 of 408.

Where and when was Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Carlsen Tour Final 2020, round 2.55, on 18 August 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Hikaru Nakamura (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Carlsen Tour Final 2020 in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Alekhine's Defense (ECO code B03). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 58 moves (116 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 Alekhine's Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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