Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura, Bullet Chess Winners 2023

Modern Defense (B06) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 62 moves · Round 5.4 · 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
  • Round5.4
  • Date21 July 2023
  • OpeningModern Defense (B06)
  • Length62 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 299 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, ½-½ (Bullet Chess Winners 2023, 2023).

Next game: Nakamura vs Carlsen, 1-0 (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.Be3 Nf6 5.f3 c6 6.Qd2 b5 7.Bd3 Nbd7 8.Nh3 e5 9.dxe5 dxe5 10.Nf2 O-O 11.a4 b4 12.Ne2 a5 13.O-O Qe7 14.Rfd1 Nc5 15.Bc4 Nfd7 16.Qd6 Qxd6 17.Rxd6 Re8 18.Rxc6 Bf8 19.Rd1 Nxa4 20.Bb5 Nac5 21.Bxc5 Nxc5 22.Rd5 Ne6 23.b3 Bb7 24.Rxe5 Reb8 25.Rb6 Bc5 26.Rbxe6 Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 fxe6 28.Bc4 Bc8 29.Nd4 Rb6 30.Nxe6 Bxe6 31.Bxe6+ Kg7 32.Bc4 Ra7 33.Ke3 Rc6 34.Bd3 a4 35.bxa4 Rxa4 36.Rb5 Rc7 37.f4 Rd7 38.g4 Rc7 39.h4 Ra3 40.f5 Rxc2 41.Rb7+ Kf6 42.Kd4 Rxd3+ 43.Kxd3 Rg2 44.g5+ Ke5 45.Re7+ Kd6 46.f6 b3 47.Rb7 b2 48.Kc3 Rg4 49.Rxb2 Rxe4 50.Rb8 Rf4 51.Rh8 Ke6 52.Rxh7 Ra4 53.Re7+ Kd5 54.Rg7 Rxh4 55.Rxg6 Rf4 56.Rg8 Ke6 57.Re8+ Kd6 58.g6 Rf3+ 59.Kd4 Rxf6 60.Ke3 Rf4 61.Kxf4 Kd7 62.Re5 1-0

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces 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.

At 62 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.

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.

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 299 of 408.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura played?

At the Bullet Chess Winners 2023, round 5.4, 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 62 moves (123 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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