Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov, Opera Euro Rapid Prelim 2021

Nimzo-Indian Defense (E58) · ½-½ (Draw) · 56 moves · Round 12.2 · 8 February 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Teimour Radjabov
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackTeimour Radjabov
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventOpera Euro Rapid Prelim 2021
  • Round12.2
  • Date8 February 2021
  • OpeningNimzo-Indian Defense (E58)
  • Length56 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 57 of 84 between Magnus Carlsen and Teimour Radjabov in the Rama Chess database (2006–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 27–11 with 46 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs Radjabov, ½-½ (Airthings Masters Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Radjabov vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Magnus Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2021).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov, Opera Euro Rapid Prelim 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.e3 d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nc6 8.Bd3 O-O 9.O-O b6 10.cxd5 exd5 11.Nd2 Re8 12.Re1 Bg4 13.f3 Bh5 14.Bb2 Bg6 15.Bb5 Re6 16.c4 cxd4 17.Bxc6 Rxc6 18.cxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd4 Nc3 20.Qb3 Rac8 21.Nf1 Qd5 22.Qxd5 Nxd5 23.e4 Nf4 24.Ne3 f6 25.Red1 Rd8 26.Bb2 Rcd6 27.Rxd6 Rxd6 28.Rd1 Rxd1+ 29.Nxd1 Kf7 30.Ne3 Ke6 31.g3 Nd3 32.Bc3 Kd6 33.Kf1 Kc6 34.Ke2 Nc5 35.g4 a5 36.e5 fxe5 37.Bxe5 Bd3+ 38.Kd2 g6 39.Kc3 Be2 40.f4 b5 41.f5 gxf5 42.gxf5 b4+ 43.axb4 axb4+ 44.Kd2 Bh5 45.Bb2 Kd6 46.f6 Ke6 47.Nc2 Ne4+ 48.Ke3 Nxf6 49.Bxf6 b3 50.Nd4+ Kxf6 51.Nxb3 Bf7 52.Nd4 Ke5 53.Nf3+ Kf5 54.Nd4+ Ke5 55.Nf3+ Kf5 56.Nd4+ Ke5 1/2-1/2

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Teimour Radjabov at Opera Euro Rapid Prelim in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Nimzo-Indian Defense (E58) the players entered a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Running to 56 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.

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 Magnus Carlsen and Teimour Radjabov. 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 Teimour Radjabov?

In the 84 games between them in our database (2006 to 2025) Carlsen leads 27–11 with 46 draws. This game is number 57 of 84.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov played?

At the Opera Euro Rapid Prelim, round 12.2, on 8 February 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Teimour Radjabov (Black), at Opera Euro Rapid Prelim in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO code E58). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Teimour Radjabov.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 56 moves (112 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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