Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

Ruy Lopez (C84) · ½-½ (Draw) · 62 moves · Round 2.21 · 19 March 2021

♔
White
Ian Nepomniachtchi
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 123

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteIan Nepomniachtchi
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventMagnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021
  • Round2.21
  • Date19 March 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C84)
  • Length62 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 69 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 (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi, 0-1 (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi: all 173 gamesAll Carlsen games at Magnus Carlsen Inv KOCarlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Ian Nepomniachtchi profile

The moves of Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.d3 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.a3 O-O 9.Nc3 Rb8 10.Nd5 Nxd5 11.Bxd5 Bd7 12.b4 Bf6 13.Be3 Ne7 14.Bb3 Ng6 15.a4 bxa4 16.Bxa4 Rxb4 17.Bxd7 Qxd7 18.Rxa6 Ra4 19.Rxa4 Qxa4 20.Qb1 Qc6 21.Qb3 Ra8 22.Rb1 Nf8 23.g3 Ne6 24.h4 h5 25.Nd2 g6 26.Qd5 Qa4 27.Nc4 Rd8 28.Rc1 Rb8 29.Qa5 Qd7 30.Qa7 Qc8 31.Ra1 Kg7 32.Kf1 Rb7 33.Qa8 Rb1+ 34.Ke2 Rb8 35.Qa6 Qd7 36.Qa4 Qd8 37.Qc6 Kh7 38.Nd2 Bg7 39.Nf3 Bh6 40.Bxh6 Kxh6 41.Qc3 Kg7 42.Kf1 Rb5 43.Kg2 Qb8 44.d4 exd4 45.Nxd4 Nxd4 46.Qxd4+ Kg8 47.Ra4 Re5 48.Qa1 Qb7 49.Kh2 Re8 50.Qc3 Rxe4 51.Rxe4 Qxe4 52.Qxc7 d5 53.Qc8+ Kg7 54.Qc3+ Kf8 55.Qc8+ Ke7 56.Qc7+ Kf6 57.Qc3+ Qe5 58.Qc6+ Kg7 59.Qc5 Qe4 60.Qc3+ Kh7 61.Qc7 Qe6 62.Qc5 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Ian Nepomniachtchi had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Ruy Lopez (C84) the players entered classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

At 62 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 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 69 of 173.

Where and when was Ian Nepomniachtchi vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, round 2.21, on 19 March 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Ian Nepomniachtchi (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021.

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 62 moves (123 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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