Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, 11th London Classic 2019

Ruy Lopez (C80) · ½-½ (Draw) · 46 moves · Round 1.5 · 4 December 2019

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
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About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • Event11th London Classic 2019
  • Round1.5
  • Date4 December 2019
  • OpeningRuy Lopez (C80)
  • Length46 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 64 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 (11th London Classic 2019, 2019).

Next game: Vachier-Lagrave vs Carlsen, ½-½ (11th London Classic 2019, 2019).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at 11th London Classic 2019Carlsen in the Ruy LopezCarlsen games of 2019Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, 11th London Classic 2019

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Nxe4 6.d4 Be7 7.Re1 b5 8.Rxe4 d5 9.Nxe5 Nxe5 10.Rxe5 bxa4 11.Qe2 c6 12.Bd2 Be6 13.f4 g6 14.Nc3 a3 15.b3 Bd6 16.f5 gxf5 17.Rf1 Bxe5 18.Qxe5 Rg8 19.Na4 Qb8 20.Qe3 Rg4 21.Nc5 Re4 22.Nxe4 fxe4 23.Qh6 Qa7 24.Qg7 O-O-O 25.Bb4 Re8 26.Bxa3 h5 27.Bc5 Qd7 28.Qg5 e3 29.Qxe3 Bf5 30.Qf2 Bg6 31.c4 Bd3 32.Re1 Rxe1+ 33.Qxe1 dxc4 34.bxc4 Bxc4 35.h3 Qe6 36.Qxe6+ Bxe6 37.a3 Bd5 38.Kf2 Kd7 39.g3 Be6 40.h4 Bg4 41.Ke3 Ke6 42.Kf4 Kd5 43.Ke3 Ke6 44.Kf4 Kd5 45.Ke3 Ke6 46.Kf4 1/2-1/2

This full-length game sees Maxime Vachier-Lagrave take on Magnus Carlsen at 11th London Classic 2019 in 2019. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

The game opened with Ruy Lopez (C80), classical development and rapid piece play. Such positions test classical principles: development, centre, king safety.

Running to 46 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.

After the contest, 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 64 of 208.

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

At the 11th London Classic 2019, round 1.5, on 4 December 2019.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at 11th London Classic 2019 in 2019.

What opening was played?

The game used Ruy Lopez (ECO code C80). 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 46 moves (91 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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