R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen, NIC Classic Prelim 2021

Queen's Gambit Declined (D37) · ½-½ (Draw) · 80 moves · Round 13.3 · 26 April 2021

♔
White
R Praggnanandhaa
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 160

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteR Praggnanandhaa
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventNIC Classic Prelim 2021
  • Round13.3
  • Date26 April 2021
  • OpeningQueen's Gambit Declined (D37)
  • Length80 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 2 of 38 between Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa in the Rama Chess database (2021–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 15–7 with 16 draws.

Previous game: Praggnanandhaa vs Carlsen, 0-1 (Carlsen vs. Challengers, 2021).

Next game: Praggnanandhaa vs Carlsen, 0-1 (84th Tata Steel Masters, 2022).

Carlsen vs Praggnanandhaa: all 38 gamesCarlsen in the Queen's Gambit DeclinedCarlsen games of 2021R Praggnanandhaa profile

The moves of R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen, NIC Classic Prelim 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 a6 5.c5 Nc6 6.h3 b6 7.cxb6 cxb6 8.Bf4 Ne4 9.e3 Nxc3 10.bxc3 Bd6 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.Bd3 Bd7 13.O-O O-O 14.Qb1 g6 15.Qxb6 Rfb8 16.Qc5 Qxc5 17.dxc5 Rc8 18.e4 Ne7 19.Ne5 Bb5 20.exd5 Bxd3 21.Nxd3 Nxd5 22.Rab1 Rc7 23.Rb3 Nf6 24.Rfb1 Ne4 25.Rb7 Rac8 26.Rxc7 Rxc7 27.Rb4 Nxc3 28.Rc4 Nd5 29.Ra4 Rc6 30.Ra5 f6 31.f4 h6 32.Kf2 g5 33.g3 gxf4 34.gxf4 Kf7 35.Kf3 Kg6 36.Ke4 Nc3+ 37.Ke3 Nd5+ 38.Ke4 Nc3+ 39.Kd4 Nd5 40.Ra4 Kf5 41.Nb4 Nxb4 42.Rxb4 Rc8 43.Rb6 e5+ 44.fxe5 fxe5+ 45.Kd5 e4 46.c6 e3 47.Rb1 e2 48.Re1 Rd8+ 49.Kc5 Rd2 50.c7 Rc2+ 51.Kb6 Rb2+ 52.Ka7 Rc2 53.Kb7 Rb2+ 54.Kc6 Rc2+ 55.Kd6 Rd2+ 56.Ke7 Rc2 57.Kd7 Rd2+ 58.Kc6 Rc2+ 59.Kb6 Rb2+ 60.Ka7 Rc2 61.Rxe2 Rxc7+ 62.Kxa6 Rc3 63.Rh2 Kf4 64.a4 Kg3 65.Rh1 h5 66.h4 Rb3 67.a5 Rb2 68.Ka7 Rb5 69.a6 Rb2 70.Ka8 Rb5 71.a7 Rb2 72.Rc1 Kxh4 73.Rc7 Kg3 74.Rb7 Ra2 75.Kb8 h4 76.Rg7+ Kf3 77.a8=Q+ Rxa8+ 78.Kxa8 h3 79.Rh7 Kg2 80.Rxh3 Kxh3 1/2-1/2

R Praggnanandhaa and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this marathon at NIC Classic Prelim 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Queen's Gambit Declined (D37), a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 80 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.

Working through a full game like this trains pattern recognition — the more you study, the faster you spot familiar ideas in your own play.

After the contest, the game was drawn between R Praggnanandhaa and Magnus Carlsen. 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 R Praggnanandhaa?

In the 38 games between them in our database (2021 to 2025) Carlsen leads 15–7 with 16 draws. This game is number 2 of 38.

Where and when was R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the NIC Classic Prelim 2021, round 13.3, on 26 April 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between R Praggnanandhaa (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at NIC Classic Prelim 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Queen's Gambit Declined (ECO code D37). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between R Praggnanandhaa and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 80 moves (160 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 Queen's Gambit Declined collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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