Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, WCh 2021

Catalan Opening (E06) · ½-½ (Draw) · 58 moves · Round 2 · 27 November 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Ian Nepomniachtchi
♚
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Moves
0 / 116

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackIan Nepomniachtchi
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventWCh 2021
  • Round2
  • Date27 November 2021
  • OpeningCatalan Opening (E06)
  • Length58 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 77 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 (WCh 2021, 2021).

Next game: Nepomniachtchi vs Carlsen, ½-½ (WCh 2021, 2021).

Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi: all 173 gamesCarlsen in the Catalan OpeningCarlsen games of 2021Ian Nepomniachtchi profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi, WCh 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O dxc4 7.Qc2 b5 8.Ne5 c6 9.a4 Nd5 10.Nc3 f6 11.Nf3 Qd7 12.e4 Nb4 13.Qe2 Nd3 14.e5 Bb7 15.exf6 Bxf6 16.Ne4 Na6 17.Ne5 Bxe5 18.dxe5 Nac5 19.Nd6 Nb3 20.Rb1 Nbxc1 21.Rbxc1 Nxc1 22.Rxc1 Rab8 23.Rd1 Ba8 24.Be4 c3 25.Qc2 g6 26.bxc3 bxa4 27.Qxa4 Rfd8 28.Ra1 c5 29.Qc4 Bxe4 30.Nxe4 Kh8 31.Nd6 Rb6 32.Qxc5 Rdb8 33.Kg2 a6 34.Kh3 Rc6 35.Qd4 Kg8 36.c4 Qc7 37.Qg4 Rxd6 38.exd6 Qxd6 39.c5 Qxc5 40.Qxe6+ Kg7 41.Rxa6 Rf8 42.f4 Qf5+ 43.Qxf5 Rxf5 44.Ra7+ Kg8 45.Kg4 Rb5 46.Re7 Ra5 47.Re5 Ra7 48.h4 Kg7 49.h5 Kh6 50.Kh4 Ra1 51.g4 Rh1+ 52.Kg3 gxh5 53.Re6+ Kg7 54.g5 Rg1+ 55.Kf2 Ra1 56.Rh6 Ra4 57.Kf3 Ra3+ 58.Kf2 Ra4 1/2-1/2

Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi met over the board in this full-length game at WCh 2021 in 2021. It was played in round 2. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Catalan Opening (E06) the players entered a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Running to 58 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.

Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.

In the end, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi. 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 77 of 173.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi played?

At the WCh 2021, round 2, on 27 November 2021.

Who played this game?

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

What opening was played?

The game used Catalan Opening (ECO code E06). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 58 moves (116 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 Catalan Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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