Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura, Bullet Chess Winners 2023

Modern Defense (B06) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 48 moves · Round 5.8 · 21 July 2023

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Hikaru Nakamura
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackHikaru Nakamura
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventBullet Chess Winners 2023
  • Round5.8
  • Date21 July 2023
  • OpeningModern Defense (B06)
  • Length48 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 293 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 (Bullet Chess Winners 2023, 2023).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, 0-1 (Bullet Chess Winners 2023, 2023).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura, Bullet Chess Winners 2023

1.e4 d6 2.d4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.f4 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.Be3 Bb7 8.e5 Nh6 9.Be4 Qc8 10.Qd3 Nb6 11.O-O Nc4 12.b3 Nxe3 13.Qxe3 Nf5 14.Qf2 b4 15.Nd5 e6 16.Bxf5 Bxd5 17.Bd3 O-O 18.Rae1 c5 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.Be4 c4 21.Bxd5 exd5 22.Rd1 Rd8 23.Rfe1 Bf8 24.Kh1 Bc5 25.Qh4 Qc7 26.Ng5 h5 27.f5 d4 28.e6 f6 29.Nf7 Kg7 30.Nxd8 Rxd8 31.fxg6 Rd5 32.bxc4 Rg5 33.Qe4 Re5 34.Qf3 a5 35.Rxe5 Qxe5 36.Qd5 Qe2 37.Rg1 d3 38.Qxc5 dxc2 39.Qe7+ Kxg6 40.Qf7+ Kf5 41.e7 Qd1 42.e8=Q Qxg1+ 43.Kxg1 c1=Q+ 44.Kf2 Qf4+ 45.Ke2 Qxc4+ 46.Kd2 Qc3+ 47.Ke2 Qc4+ 48.Qxc4 1-0

A full-length game in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Hikaru Nakamura at Bullet Chess Winners 2023 in 2023. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Modern Defense (B06) — sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

Running to 48 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.

Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.

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 293 of 408.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura played?

At the Bullet Chess Winners 2023, round 5.8, on 21 July 2023.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Hikaru Nakamura (Black), at Bullet Chess Winners 2023 in 2023.

What opening was played?

The game used Modern Defense (ECO code B06). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 48 moves (95 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 Modern Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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