Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov, NIC Classic KO 2021

Nimzo-Indian Defense (E36) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 41 moves · Round 1.22 · 28 April 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Teimour Radjabov
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackTeimour Radjabov
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventNIC Classic KO 2021
  • Round1.22
  • Date28 April 2021
  • OpeningNimzo-Indian Defense (E36)
  • Length41 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 65 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: Radjabov vs Carlsen, ½-½ (NIC Classic KO 2021, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Radjabov, ½-½ (NIC Classic KO 2021, 2021).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov, NIC Classic KO 2021

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 d5 5.a3 Bxc3+ 6.Qxc3 c5 7.dxc5 d4 8.Qc2 e5 9.e3 Nc6 10.b4 O-O 11.Nf3 Re8 12.e4 a5 13.b5 Ne7 14.a4 Qc7 15.Ba3 Nd7 16.c6 bxc6 17.c5 Nf6 18.b6 Qb7 19.Bc4 Ng6 20.O-O Qd7 21.Ne1 Ba6 22.Bxa6 Rxa6 23.f3 Nf4 24.Rd1 Raa8 25.Bc1 N6h5 26.g3 Ng6 27.Nd3 Nf6 28.Bg5 h5 29.Bxf6 gxf6 30.f4 exf4 31.Nxf4 Qg4 32.Rxd4 h4 33.Qd1 Qg5 34.Qh5 Qe5 35.Rd7 hxg3 36.hxg3 Qxe4 37.Nxg6 Qe3+ 38.Kh2 Qe2+ 39.Qxe2 Rxe2+ 40.Kh3 fxg6 41.Rxf6 1-0

In this encounter Magnus Carlsen had the white pieces against Teimour Radjabov at NIC Classic KO 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Nimzo-Indian Defense (E36) the players entered a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Running to 41 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.

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, Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces. 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 65 of 84.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Teimour Radjabov played?

At the NIC Classic KO 2021, round 1.22, on 28 April 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Teimour Radjabov (Black), at NIC Classic KO 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO code E36). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 41 moves (81 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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