Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, World Blitz 2021

Ruy Lopez (C88) · 1-0 (Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won) · 47 moves · Round 21.1 · 30 December 2021

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
1 – 0
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 93

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result1-0 · Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won
  • EventWorld Blitz 2021
  • Round21.1
  • Date30 December 2021
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C88)
  • Length47 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 124 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, 0-1 (Meltwater Tour Final 2021, 2021).

Next game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, 1-0 (10th Norway Blitz 2022, 2022).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at World Blitz 2021Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2021Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, World Blitz 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.Nbd2 Re8 11.Nf1 h6 12.c3 Bf8 13.Ne3 Ne7 14.h3 Ng6 15.Nh2 d5 16.exd5 Nxd5 17.Qf3 Nh4 18.Qe4 Nxe3 19.Qxb7 Nexg2 20.Re4 Qxd3 21.Rg4 Qxh3 22.Rg3 Qf5 23.Rxg2 Nxg2 24.Qxg2 Rad8 25.Ng4 Kh8 26.axb5 axb5 27.Ne3 Qh5 28.Nf1 e4 29.Ng3 Qg6 30.Be3 Bd6 31.Ne2 Qh5 32.Ng3 Bxg3 33.fxg3 Rd3 34.Qf2 f5 35.Bc2 Rd6 36.Kg2 Red8 37.Rh1 Qg6 38.Bf4 Rd5 39.Qe2 c5 40.b3 c4 41.bxc4 bxc4 42.Rf1 Qf6 43.Qxc4 Qb6 44.Bb3 Rc5 45.Qf7 Rxc3 46.Be5 Rd2+ 47.Kh1 1-0

This full-length game sees Maxime Vachier-Lagrave take on Magnus Carlsen at World Blitz 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.

Running to 47 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.

In the end, 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 124 of 208.

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

At the World Blitz 2021, round 21.1, on 30 December 2021.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at World Blitz 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?

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 47 moves (93 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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