Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

Slav Defense (D11) · ½-½ (Draw) · 73 moves · Round 4.4 · 24 April 2020

♔
White
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
½ – ½
Black
Magnus Carlsen
♚
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Moves
0 / 145

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMaxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • BlackMagnus Carlsen
  • Result½-½ · Draw
  • EventCarlsen Inv Prelim 2020
  • Round4.4
  • Date24 April 2020
  • OpeningSlav Defense (D11)
  • Length73 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 75 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 (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave, ½-½ (Carlsen Inv Prelim, 2020).

Carlsen vs Vachier-Lagrave: all 208 gamesAll Carlsen games at Carlsen Inv PrelimCarlsen in the Slav DefenseCarlsen games of 2020Maxime Vachier-Lagrave profile

The moves of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave vs Magnus Carlsen, Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 g6 6.g3 Bg7 7.Bg2 O-O 8.O-O b5 9.Qc2 Bf5 10.Qd1 c5 11.Nc3 Nc6 12.Nh4 cxd4 13.Nxf5 gxf5 14.Bxc6 Rc8 15.Nxb5 Rxc6 16.Qxd4 a6 17.Qxd8 Rxd8 18.Na3 Ne4 19.Kg2 Rxc1 20.Raxc1 Bxb2 21.Nb1 Bxc1 22.Rxc1 Rd4 23.f3 Nf6 24.Kf2 Ra4 25.a3 Kg7 26.Rc3 Nd5 27.Rb3 Rc4 28.Nd2 Rc2 29.Rd3 Nc3 30.f4 e6 31.Kf3 Ne4 32.Nxe4 fxe4+ 33.Kxe4 Rxe2+ 34.Kf3 Rxh2 35.Rd6 a5 36.Ra6 Rh5 37.a4 Rc5 38.Ra8 h5 39.Ra6 Kg6 40.Kg2 Kf5 41.Ra7 f6 42.Kh3 Rd5 43.Ra8 e5 44.fxe5 fxe5 45.Rh8 Kg5 46.Ra8 e4 47.Kg2 Kg4 48.Rg8+ Kf5 49.Ra8 Ke5 50.Kf2 Kd4 51.Ke2 Rg5 52.Rd8+ Kc3 53.Re8 Rxg3 54.Rxe4 Rg4 55.Re5 Rxa4 56.Kf3 Ra2 57.Kg3 a4 58.Re4 Kd3 59.Rf4 Ke3 60.Rf3+ Ke4 61.Rf4+ Ke5 62.Rb4 Ra1 63.Kh2 a3 64.Rb3 Kd4 65.Rf3 Kc4 66.Rf4+ Kd3 67.Rf3+ Ke4 68.Rb3 h4 69.Rc3 Ra2+ 70.Kh1 Ra1+ 71.Kh2 Ra2+ 72.Kh1 Ra1+ 73.Kh2 1/2-1/2

This marathon sees Maxime Vachier-Lagrave take on Magnus Carlsen at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

From Slav Defense (D11) the players entered a fight over the centre. Here the struggle often turns on the central pawns and minor-piece play.

At 73 moves this was a long, demanding struggle that rewarded stamina and precise endgame technique.

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.

After the contest, the game was drawn between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Magnus Carlsen. Step through the moves on the interactive board above and try the position trainer to sharpen your own play.

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 75 of 208.

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

At the Carlsen Inv Prelim, round 4.4, on 24 April 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (White) and Magnus Carlsen (Black), at Carlsen Inv Prelim in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Slav Defense (ECO code D11). A fight over the centre.

What was the result?

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

How long was the game?

The game lasted 73 moves (145 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 Slav Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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