Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Tour Final 2020

Ruy Lopez (C65) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 43 moves · Round 2.71 · 20 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
  • Round2.71
  • Date20 August 2020
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C65)
  • Length43 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 184 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 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.Nbd2 O-O 7.h3 Nd7 8.Nc4 a5 9.Be3 f6 10.O-O b5 11.Ncd2 Bxe3 12.fxe3 a4 13.Nh4 c5 14.Nf5 Nb6 15.Qe2 Be6 16.Nf3 Qd7 17.N3h4 Rad8 18.Rfd1 Kh8 19.d4 cxd4 20.exd4 exd4 21.Rxd4 Qc6 22.Rad1 Qc5 23.Qf2 Rxd4 24.Nxd4 Bxa2 25.b3 Rd8 26.Nhf5 axb3 27.cxb3 Bxb3 28.Nxg7 Rxd4 29.Rxd4 Kxg7 30.Qg3+ Kf8 31.Qe3 Nd7 32.Kh1 Ke8 33.Qd2 Be6 34.e5 Qxe5 35.Rh4 Nf8 36.Qb4 Kf7 37.Re4 c5 38.Qb1 Qd5 39.Rf4 b4 40.Qa1 Nd7 41.Qb1 Kg7 42.Qe1 b3 43.Qg3+ Qg5 0-1

In this encounter Hikaru Nakamura had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Carlsen Tour Final 2020 in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Ruy Lopez (C65) — classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Running to 43 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 184 of 408.

Where and when was Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Carlsen Tour Final 2020, round 2.71, on 20 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 Ruy Lopez (ECO code C65). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 43 moves (86 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 Ruy Lopez collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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