Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021

Ruy Lopez (C80) · 1-0 (Hikaru Nakamura won) · 36 moves · Round 1.11 · 26 May 2021

♔
White
Hikaru Nakamura
1 – 0
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 71

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteHikaru Nakamura
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result1-0 · Hikaru Nakamura won
  • EventFTX Crypto Cup KO 2021
  • Round1.11
  • Date26 May 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C80)
  • Length36 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 209 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, 1-0 (FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, 0-1 (FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021, 2021).

Carlsen vs Nakamura: all 408 gamesAll Carlsen games at FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Hikaru Nakamura profile

The moves of Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Nc5 10.c3 Be7 11.Bc2 d4 12.Nb3 dxc3 13.Nxc5 Bxc5 14.Be4 Qd7 15.bxc3 Rd8 16.Qc2 Ne7 17.Bg5 h6 18.Rfd1 Qc8 19.Bxe7 Rxd1+ 20.Rxd1 Kxe7 21.Nd4 Re8 22.Bf3 g6 23.Qd2 Bxd4 24.cxd4 Bg4 25.d5 Bxf3 26.d6+ Kd7 27.gxf3 Re6 28.Rc1 c5 29.Qe3 c4 30.Qa7+ Ke8 31.Rd1 Qd7 32.Qa8+ Qd8 33.Qxa6 Kf8 34.Qxb5 Qg5+ 35.Kf1 Rxe5 36.Qxe5 1-0

Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this middlegame battle at FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Ruy Lopez (C80) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Lasting 36 moves, the game was settled in the middlegame, where piece activity, pawn breaks and king safety all collide.

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.

In the end, Hikaru Nakamura 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 209 of 408.

Where and when was Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021, round 1.11, on 26 May 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Hikaru Nakamura (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at FTX Crypto Cup KO 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C80). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Hikaru Nakamura won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 36 moves (71 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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