Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021

Sicilian Defense (B30) · 1-0 (Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won) · 51 moves · Round 2.32 · 12 February 2021

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
1 – 0
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 101

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result1-0 · Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won
  • EventOpera Euro Rapid KO 2021
  • Round2.32
  • Date12 February 2021
  • OpeningSicilian Defense (B30)
  • Length51 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 112 of 208 between Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the Rama Chess database (2005–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 78–44 with 86 draws.

Previous game: Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen, 1-0 (Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, 1-0 (Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021, 2021).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021Carlsen in the Sicilian DefenseCarlsen games of 2021Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.O-O Nge7 5.Re1 Nd4 6.Nxd4 cxd4 7.c3 a6 8.Bf1 Nc6 9.b4 Be7 10.a4 O-O 11.Na3 dxc3 12.dxc3 Bf6 13.b5 axb5 14.Nxb5 d5 15.Ba3 Be7 16.exd5 exd5 17.Bxe7 Nxe7 18.Qd4 Nc6 19.Qf4 Be6 20.Rab1 d4 21.Nc7 Rxa4 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Qg4 Qf6 24.f3 Qf5 25.Qxf5 exf5 26.Rxb7 dxc3 27.Bb5 Nd8 28.Rc7 Rb4 29.Ree7 Kh8 30.Bd3 Rd4 31.Bxf5 Rd2 32.h4 Rd4 33.Be4 Rg8 34.h5 h6 35.Rxc3 Rd6 36.Rc8 Ne6 37.Rxg8+ Kxg8 38.Rxe6 Rxe6 39.Bd5 Kf7 40.Kf2 Kf6 41.Bxe6 Kxe6 42.Ke3 Ke5 43.g4 Kd5 44.Kf4 Ke6 45.Ke4 Kf6 46.Kd5 Kf7 47.Kd6 Kf6 48.f4 Kf7 49.Ke5 Ke7 50.f5 Kf7 51.f6 1-0

In this encounter Maxime Vachier-Lagrave had the white pieces against Magnus Carlsen at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Sicilian Defense (B30) the players entered sharp, double-edged play. These lines often lead to opposite-side castling and a race to attack.

Running to 51 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.

When the dust settled, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won with the white pieces. 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 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave?

In the 208 games between them in our database (2005 to 2025) Carlsen leads 78–44 with 86 draws. This game is number 112 of 208.

Where and when was Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen played?

At the Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021, round 2.32, on 12 February 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Opera Euro Rapid KO 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Sicilian Defense (ECO code B30). Sharp, double-edged play.

What was the result?

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 51 moves (101 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 Sicilian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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