Magnus Carlsen vs Alexei Shirov, XXV SuperGM 2008

Ruy Lopez (C78) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 80 moves · Round 9 · 29 February 2008

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Alexei Shirov
♚
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Moves
0 / 159

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackAlexei Shirov
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventXXV SuperGM 2008
  • Round9
  • Date29 February 2008
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C78)
  • Length80 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 9 of 26 between Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov in the Rama Chess database (2005–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 15–2 with 9 draws.

Previous game: Shirov vs Carlsen, ½-½ (XXV SuperGM, 2008).

Next game: Carlsen vs Shirov, 1-0 (Aerosvit, 2008).

Carlsen vs Shirov: all 26 gamesCarlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2008

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Alexei Shirov, XXV SuperGM 2008

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O b5 6.Bb3 Bc5 7.a4 Rb8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 Bb6 10.Na3 O-O 11.axb5 axb5 12.Nxb5 Bg4 13.Bc2 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Nh5 15.f4 Nxf4 16.Bxf4 exf4 17.Qg4 Qf6 18.Ra6 Ne7 19.Na3 c6 20.Nc4 Bc7 21.Ra7 Rbc8 22.e5 dxe5 23.dxe5 Qh6 24.Rd1 Nd5 25.Be4 Rfd8 26.Rd3 g6 27.Bxd5 cxd5 28.Rxd5 Rxd5 29.Qxc8+ Kg7 30.Qg4 Bxe5 31.h4 Bb8 32.Rb7 Rd8 33.Kg2 Kg8 34.Qg5 Qf8 35.Qf6 Re8 36.b4 Re6 37.Qd4 Qc8 38.Rd7 Qc6+ 39.Qd5 Qxd5+ 40.Rxd5 Rc6 41.Nd2 f3+ 42.Nxf3 Kg7 43.Rd8 Bc7 44.Rd7 Rxc3 45.Ng5 Kg8 46.Ne4 Rc4 47.Nf6+ Kf8 48.Nxh7+ Ke8 49.Nf6+ Kf8 50.Nd5 Be5 51.b5 Rxh4 52.b6 Rd4 53.Kf3 Kg7 54.Ke3 Ra4 55.b7 Ra3+ 56.Ke4 Bh2 57.Nc7 Rb3 58.Ne6+ Kf6 59.Nd8 g5 60.Rxf7+ Kg6 61.Rd7 g4 62.Ne6 g3 63.fxg3 Bxg3 64.Kd5 Rb1 65.Kc6 Rc1+ 66.Nc5 Bb8 67.Rd5 Ba7 68.Kd7 Bb8 69.Ne6 Kf6 70.Rc5 Rb1 71.Nd8 Bh2 72.Rc6+ Ke5 73.Rc1 Rb3 74.Rc2 Bf4 75.Kc6 Kf5 76.Rc5+ Kf6 77.Kd7 Rb1 78.Kc8 Bh2 79.Rc6+ Ke5 80.b8=Q+ 1-0

Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov met over the board in this marathon at XXV SuperGM in 2008. It was played in round 9. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

The game opened with Ruy Lopez (C78), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

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.

When the dust settled, 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 Alexei Shirov?

In the 26 games between them in our database (2005 to 2025) Carlsen leads 15–2 with 9 draws. This game is number 9 of 26.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Alexei Shirov played?

At the XXV SuperGM, round 9, on 29 February 2008.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Alexei Shirov (Black), at XXV SuperGM in 2008.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C78). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 80 moves (159 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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