Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, Esports World Cup 2025

Catalan Opening (E06) · 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 37 moves · Round 2.1.4 · 31 July 2025

♔
White
Hikaru Nakamura
0 – 1
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 74

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteHikaru Nakamura
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result0-1 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventEsports World Cup 2025
  • Round2.1.4
  • Date31 July 2025
  • OpeningCatalan Opening (E06)
  • Length37 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 386 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 (Esports World Cup 2025, 2025).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nakamura, 1-0 (Esports World Cup 2025, 2025).

Carlsen vs Nakamura: all 408 gamesAll Carlsen games at Esports World Cup 2025Carlsen in the Catalan OpeningCarlsen games of 2025Hikaru Nakamura profile

The moves of Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen, Esports World Cup 2025

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O a5 7.b3 b6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.Bf4 Re8 11.Rc1 Na6 12.Ne5 h6 13.Nd3 Bf8 14.h4 c5 15.dxc5 bxc5 16.Na4 Rc8 17.Be5 Ne4 18.Bb2 d4 19.Ba3 Nb4 20.Bxb4 cxb4 21.Rxc8 Qxc8 22.Nf4 Nc3 23.Bxb7 Qxb7 24.Qxd4 Nxe2+ 25.Nxe2 Rxe2 26.Qd8 Rxa2 27.Nb6 Qe7 28.Qc8 Rb2 29.Nd7 Rd2 30.Nxf8 Qxf8 31.Qf5 Qd8 32.h5 Qd5 33.Qg4 Kh7 34.Ra1 a4 35.bxa4 b3 36.a5 b2 37.Re1 Qd3 0-1

This middlegame battle sees Hikaru Nakamura take on Magnus Carlsen at Esports World Cup 2025 in 2025. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Catalan Opening (E06) the players entered a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Lasting 37 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.

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

When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen won with the black 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 386 of 408.

Where and when was Hikaru Nakamura vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Esports World Cup 2025, round 2.1.4, on 31 July 2025.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Hikaru Nakamura (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Esports World Cup 2025 in 2025.

What opening was played?

The game used Catalan Opening (ECO code E06). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 37 moves (74 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 Catalan Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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