Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

Indian Defenses (A45) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 56 moves · Round 6.3 · 28 April 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Ian Nepomniachtchi
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackIan Nepomniachtchi
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventCarlsen Inv Prelim 2020
  • Round6.3
  • Date28 April 2020
  • OpeningIndian Defenses (A45)
  • Length56 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 28 of 173 between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi in the Rama Chess database (2002–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 67–25 with 81 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi, ½-½ (World Blitz 2019, 2019).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi, 0-1 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.Nc3 a6 5.a4 e5 6.Bd2 e4 7.h3 h5 8.Bf4 Bf5 9.e3 Nbd7 10.a5 h4 11.Nge2 Ne5 12.Nc1 Nfd7 13.Nb3 Bg6 14.Nd2 f5 15.f3 exf3 16.gxf3 Bh5 17.Rg1 Nf7 18.Be2 Qf6 19.Nc4 g6 20.Bh2 Nde5 21.Nb6 Rd8 22.f4 Nd7 23.Bxh5 Rxh5 24.Nc4 Bg7 25.Qd3 Kf8 26.O-O-O Re8 27.Rg2 Kg8 28.e4 fxe4 29.Nxe4 Qe7 30.Re1 Kh8 31.Rxg6 Nf6 32.Qc3 Rh7 33.Qf3 Nxd5 34.f5 Nf6 35.Bxd6 Qd8 36.Kb1 Rxe4 37.Rxe4 Nxd6 38.Nxd6 Qxd6 39.Re6 Qf8 40.Qxb7 Ng8 41.Qe4 Qf7 42.Re8 Rh6 43.Rxh6+ Bxh6 44.Qe6 Kg7 45.Qxf7+ Kxf7 46.Re6 Bd2 47.Rxa6 Ne7 48.c3 c4 49.f6 Ng6 50.Rc6 Ne5 51.Rc7+ Kxf6 52.a6 Be3 53.a7 Bxa7 54.Rxa7 Kg5 55.Rg7+ Kf4 56.Ka2 1-0

A full-length game in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Ian Nepomniachtchi at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Indian Defenses (A45) — a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

Running to 56 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.

Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.

When the dust settled, 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 Ian Nepomniachtchi?

In the 173 games between them in our database (2002 to 2025) Carlsen leads 67–25 with 81 draws. This game is number 28 of 173.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi played?

At the Carlsen Inv Prelim, round 6.3, on 28 April 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Black), at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Indian Defenses (ECO code A45). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 56 moves (111 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 Indian Defenses collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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