Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

Three Knights Game (C46) · ½-½ (Draw) · 38 moves · Round 3.13 · 20 March 2021

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Wesley So
♚
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Moves
0 / 76

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackWesley So
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventMagnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021
  • Round3.13
  • Date20 March 2021
  • OpeningThree Knights Game (C46)
  • Length38 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 117 of 235 between Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So in the Rama Chess database (2015–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 100–33 with 102 draws.

Previous game: So vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Magnus Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2021).

Next game: So vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, 2021).

Carlsen vs Wesley So: all 235 gamesAll Carlsen games at Magnus Carlsen Inv KOCarlsen in the Three Knights GameCarlsen games of 2021Wesley So profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So, Magnus Carlsen Inv KO 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.h3 Bb4 5.Nd5 Nxd5 6.exd5 e4 7.dxc6 exf3 8.Qxf3 dxc6 9.Bc4 Qe7+ 10.Kd1 O-O 11.Re1 Be6 12.Re2 Bc5 13.d3 Qh4 14.Qf4 Qh5 15.Qg5 Qxg5 16.Bxg5 Bxc4 17.dxc4 Rfe8 18.c3 Kf8 19.Bf4 Rad8+ 20.Ke1 Bd6 21.Be3 a6 22.c5 Be5 23.Rd1 f5 24.Rxd8 Rxd8 25.Bd2 Re8 26.Kd1 Kf7 27.Kc2 Bf6 28.Rxe8 Kxe8 29.Bf4 Kd7 30.Kd3 h5 31.f3 g6 32.g4 Be7 33.gxf5 gxf5 34.Kd4 Bf6+ 35.Be5 Bd8 36.Bf4 Bf6+ 37.Be5 Bd8 38.Bf4 Bf6+ 1/2-1/2

A middlegame battle in which Magnus Carlsen was paired against Wesley So at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Three Knights Game (C46), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Lasting 38 moves, the game was settled in the middlegame, where piece activity, pawn breaks and king safety all collide.

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.

In the end, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So. 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 Wesley So?

In the 235 games between them in our database (2015 to 2025) Carlsen leads 100–33 with 102 draws. This game is number 117 of 235.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So played?

At the Magnus Carlsen Inv KO, round 3.13, on 20 March 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Wesley So (Black), at Magnus Carlsen Inv KO in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Three Knights Game (ECO code C46). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 38 moves (76 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 Three Knights Game collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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