Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Meltwater Tour Final 2021

Ruy Lopez (C88) · ½-½ (Draw) · 39 moves · Round 3.4 · 27 September 2021

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 78

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventMeltwater Tour Final 2021
  • Round3.4
  • Date27 September 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C88)
  • Length39 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 119 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: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, 1-0 (Meltwater Tour Final 2021, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, 1-0 (Meltwater Tour Final 2021, 2021).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at Meltwater Tour Final 2021Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Meltwater Tour Final 2021

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 O-O 8.a4 Bb7 9.d3 d6 10.Bd2 Nb8 11.axb5 axb5 12.Rxa8 Bxa8 13.Na3 c6 14.c4 bxc4 15.Nxc4 c5 16.Ne3 Nc6 17.Nf5 Bb7 18.Ba4 Qc7 19.Qc2 Bd8 20.Rc1 Ne7 21.Ne3 Qb8 22.b4 cxb4 23.Bxb4 Bxe4 24.Bxd6 Qxd6 25.dxe4 Ng6 26.g3 Qb4 27.Bc6 Ne7 28.Nxe5 Nxc6 29.Nxc6 Qxe4 30.Qxe4 Nxe4 31.Nxd8 Rxd8 32.Rd1 Rxd1+ 33.Nxd1 g6 34.Kg2 Kg7 35.Ne3 Ng5 36.Nd5 Ne6 37.Ne3 Ng5 38.Nd5 Ne6 39.Ne3 Ng5 1/2-1/2

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen met over the board in this middlegame battle at Meltwater Tour Final 2021 in 2021. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Ruy Lopez (C88) — classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Lasting 39 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 Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen. 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 119 of 208.

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

At the Meltwater Tour Final 2021, round 3.4, on 27 September 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Meltwater Tour Final 2021 in 2021.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C88). Classical development and rapid piece play.

What was the result?

The game was drawn between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 39 moves (78 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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