Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Skilling Open KO 2020

Grünfeld Defense (D85) · ½-½ (Draw) · 76 moves · Round 2.13 · 27 November 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Ian Nepomniachtchi
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackIan Nepomniachtchi
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventSkilling Open KO 2020
  • Round2.13
  • Date27 November 2020
  • OpeningGrünfeld Defense (D85)
  • Length76 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 53 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: Nepomniachtchi vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Skilling Open KO 2020, 2020).

Next game: Nepomniachtchi vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Skilling Open KO 2020, 2020).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, Skilling Open KO 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Nf3 c5 8.h3 O-O 9.Be2 Nc6 10.Be3 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qa5+ 12.Bd2 Qa3 13.Be3 Qa5+ 14.Bd2 Qa3 15.Be3 Qc3+ 16.Bd2 Qb2 17.Rb1 Qxa2 18.d5 Ne5 19.O-O Nxf3+ 20.Bxf3 a5 21.Bf4 a4 22.e5 Qc4 23.Qd2 a3 24.Rfc1 Qa4 25.Ra1 Bf5 26.Ra2 Rfc8 27.Rca1 Qb3 28.Bd1 Qc3 29.Qxc3 Rxc3 30.Bd2 Rd3 31.f4 g5 32.Bb4 gxf4 33.Bc2 Rd4 34.Bxe7 Bxc2 35.Rxc2 Bxe5 36.Rxa3 Rxa3 37.Bxa3 Rxd5 38.Kf2 Kg7 39.Bb2 b5 40.Bxe5+ Rxe5 41.Rb2 Kg6 42.Kf3 Kg5 43.Rb4 f6 44.Kf2 Rd5 45.Kf3 Rc5 46.Kf2 Kf5 47.Kf3 Ke6 48.Re4+ Re5 49.Rb4 Rf5 50.Rb1 h5 51.Ke4 h4 52.Ra1 Rd5 53.Ra8 Rd2 54.Rb8 Rxg2 55.Rb6+ Kf7 56.Rxb5 Kg6 57.Kxf4 Rg3 58.Rb8 Rxh3 59.Kg4 Rh1 60.Rg8+ Kf7 61.Ra8 Kg7 62.Rb8 h3 63.Kg3 Kg6 64.Rb6 Kg5 65.Rb5+ f5 66.Ra5 Rb1 67.Kxh3 Rb3+ 68.Kg2 Kg4 69.Ra8 Rb2+ 70.Kg1 Rb3 71.Kg2 Kf4 72.Ra4+ Ke3 73.Kg3 Rd3 74.Rf4 Ke2+ 75.Kg2 Rd5 76.Kg3 1/2-1/2

A marathon in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Ian Nepomniachtchi at Skilling Open KO 2020 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.

At 76 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.

Replaying a complete grandmaster game shows not just the moves, but the order in which plans appear and where the balance finally tips.

When the dust settled, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi. 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 53 of 173.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi played?

At the Skilling Open KO 2020, round 2.13, on 27 November 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Black), at Skilling Open KO 2020 in 2020.

What opening was played?

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

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 76 moves (151 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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