Magnus Carlsen vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, World Blitz 2017

Réti Opening (A04) · ½-½ (Draw) · 34 moves · Round 16.1 · 30 December 2017

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
½ – ½
Black
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
♚
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Moves
0 / 67

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventWorld Blitz 2017
  • Round16.1
  • Date30 December 2017
  • OpeningRéti Opening (A04)
  • Length34 moves
  • Type of eventBlitz and bullet

This is game 42 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, ½-½ (9th London Classic 2017, 2017).

Next game: Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen, ½-½ (PRO League Group Stage, 2018).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at World Blitz 2017Carlsen in the Réti OpeningCarlsen games of 2017Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, World Blitz 2017

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 e5 4.e3 Nf6 5.Be2 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.O-O Be7 8.Bb5 Nxc3 9.dxc3 Qxd1 10.Rxd1 f6 11.e4 Be6 12.Be3 Kf7 13.Nd2 Na5 14.Kf1 Rhd8 15.Be2 a6 16.h3 Rd7 17.Bg4 Rad8 18.Ke2 g6 19.Bxe6+ Kxe6 20.b3 f5 21.f3 b5 22.Rab1 Rd3 23.Rbc1 R8d7 24.Nf1 Rxd1 25.Rxd1 Rxd1 26.Kxd1 c4 27.Nd2 cxb3 28.axb3 Nb7 29.b4 a5 30.bxa5 Nxa5 31.Kc2 Nc4 32.Nxc4 bxc4 33.g4 f4 34.Bf2 1/2-1/2

Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave met over the board in this middlegame battle at World Blitz 2017 in 2017. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Réti Opening (A04), a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

Lasting 34 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.

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, the game was drawn between Magnus Carlsen and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. 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 42 of 208.

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

At the World Blitz 2017, round 16.1, on 30 December 2017.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Black), at World Blitz 2017 in 2017.

What opening was played?

The game used Réti Opening (ECO code A04). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

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

How long was the game?

The game lasted 34 moves (67 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 Réti Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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