Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen, Skilling Open KO 2020

Ruy Lopez (C84) · ½-½ (Draw) · 39 moves · Round 2.23 · 28 November 2020

♔
White
Ian Nepomniachtchi
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 77

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteIan Nepomniachtchi
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventSkilling Open KO 2020
  • Round2.23
  • Date28 November 2020
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C84)
  • Length39 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 55 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: Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi, ½-½ (Skilling Open KO 2020, 2020).

Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi: all 173 gamesAll Carlsen games at Skilling Open KO 2020Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2020Ian Nepomniachtchi profile

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

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 Na5 9.Ba2 c5 10.Nc3 Be6 11.Nh4 O-O 12.Nf5 Bxf5 13.exf5 d5 14.Qf3 c4 15.Bg5 e4 16.dxe4 dxe4 17.Qh3 Qc7 18.Rae1 Rfe8 19.Bb1 Rad8 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nxe4 Bxb2 22.f6 Qd7 23.Qg3 g6 24.Qe3 Rxe4 25.Qxe4 Bxf6 26.a4 b4 27.Qf3 Qc6 28.Qxc6 Nxc6 29.Re4 Nd4 30.Rfe1 Kf8 31.Kf1 b3 32.c3 Nc2 33.Bxc2 bxc2 34.Rc1 Rd1+ 35.Re1 Rd2 36.Re2 Rd1+ 37.Re1 Rd2 38.Re2 Rd1+ 39.Re1 1/2-1/2

Ian Nepomniachtchi and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this middlegame battle at Skilling Open KO 2020 in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Ruy Lopez (C84), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Lasting 39 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.

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

After the contest, the game was drawn between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Magnus Carlsen. Use the board above to replay every move, switch to the analyser for engine evaluation, or open Practice mode to test your own ideas.

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 55 of 173.

Where and when was Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Skilling Open KO 2020, round 2.23, on 28 November 2020.

Who played this game?

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

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C84). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 39 moves (77 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 Ruy Lopez collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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