Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Legends of Chess Prelim 2020

Grünfeld Defense (D85) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 34 moves · Round 8.2 · 28 July 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Ian Nepomniachtchi
♚
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Moves
0 / 67

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackIan Nepomniachtchi
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventLegends of Chess Prelim 2020
  • Round8.2
  • Date28 July 2020
  • OpeningGrünfeld Defense (D85)
  • Length34 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 33 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, 1-0 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Nepomniachtchi vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Legends of Chess Prelim, 2020).

Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi: all 173 gamesAll Carlsen games at Legends of Chess PrelimCarlsen in the Grünfeld DefenseCarlsen games of 2020Ian Nepomniachtchi profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Legends of Chess Prelim 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Rb1 O-O 9.Be2 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qa5+ 11.Bd2 Qxa2 12.O-O Bg4 13.Be3 Nc6 14.d5 Na5 15.Bg5 Qa3 16.Re1 Bc3 17.Qd3 Rfc8 18.Red1 b6 19.h3 Bd7 20.Rdc1 f6 21.Bd2 Bb2 22.Rxc8+ Rxc8 23.Qa6 Qa2 24.Rxb2 Qxb2 25.Qxa7 Qa1+ 26.Kh2 Qa4 27.Bd1 Qxd1 28.Qxd7 Qc2 29.Qe6+ Kh8 30.d6 exd6 31.Qxf6+ Kg8 32.Bh6 Qc7 33.Qe6+ Kh8 34.Ng5 1-0

A middlegame battle in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Ian Nepomniachtchi at Legends of Chess Prelim in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Grünfeld Defense (D85), a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

Lasting 34 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.

In the end, 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 33 of 173.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi played?

At the Legends of Chess Prelim, round 8.2, on 28 July 2020.

Who played this game?

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

What opening was played?

The game used Grünfeld Defense (ECO code D85). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 34 moves (67 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 Grünfeld Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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