Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Botvinnik Memorial 2011

English Opening (A36) · 0-1 (Levon Aronian won) · 85 moves · Round 4 · 3 September 2011

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
0 – 1
Black
Levon Aronian
♚
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Moves
0 / 170

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackLevon Aronian
  • Result0-1 · Levon Aronian won
  • EventBotvinnik Memorial 2011
  • Round4
  • Date3 September 2011
  • OpeningEnglish Opening (A36)
  • Length85 moves
  • Type of eventClassical

This is game 47 of 237 between Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian in the Rama Chess database (2004–2024). In all their games Carlsen leads 82–40 with 115 draws.

Previous game: Aronian vs Carlsen, ½-½ (Botvinnik Memorial, 2011).

Next game: Carlsen vs Aronian, ½-½ (4th Final Masters, 2011).

Carlsen vs Aronian: all 237 gamesCarlsen in the English OpeningCarlsen games of 2011Levon Aronian profile

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian, Botvinnik Memorial 2011

1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.a3 d6 6.Rb1 a5 7.e3 e5 8.Nge2 Nge7 9.O-O O-O 10.d3 Rb8 11.Bd2 Be6 12.Nd5 b5 13.cxb5 Rxb5 14.Qa4 Qb8 15.Nc7 Qxc7 16.Qxb5 Rb8 17.Qa4 Bb3 18.Qh4 Bc2 19.Qc4 Bb3 20.Qc1 Qb6 21.Re1 d5 22.Nc3 Rd8 23.e4 d4 24.Nd5 Nxd5 25.exd5 Rxd5 26.Bh6 Bf6 27.Bxd5 Bxd5 28.Qd1 Be7 29.h4 Qb7 30.Kh2 f6 31.Qe2 Nd8 32.Bd2 Bf3 33.Qf1 a4 34.Qh3 h5 35.Ba5 Nf7 36.Qe6 Bd5 37.Qh3 Qb5 38.Bc7 Qxd3 39.g4 Qd2 40.Kg1 Be6 41.Qg2 hxg4 42.Rbc1 Kg7 43.Bb6 c4 44.Qc6 g3 45.fxg3 Bh3 46.Qf3 Qxb2 47.Ba7 Qb3 48.Qxb3 cxb3 49.Bxd4 Bxa3 50.Ra1 Bb4 51.Reb1 exd4 52.Rxa4 Bc5 53.Ra5 Bb6 54.Rb5 Bc7 55.R5xb3 Be5 56.Kf2 Nd6 57.Kf3 Be6 58.Ra3 Bd5+ 59.Ke2 Nb5 60.Ra5 Nc3+ 61.Kf2 d3 62.Rxd5 Nxd5 63.Rb7+ Bc7 64.Kf3 Kh6 65.Rb3 Bxg3 66.Rxd3 Nf4 67.Rd8 Nh5 68.Kg4 f5+ 69.Kh3 Be5 70.Ra8 Bf6 71.Ra6 Kg7 72.Ra7+ Kf8 73.Rb7 Be7 74.Ra7 Kf7 75.Ra6 Nf6 76.Kg3 Ne4+ 77.Kh3 Bc5 78.Rc6 Bd6 79.Ra6 Kg7 80.Ra8 Be5 81.Ra7+ Kh6 82.Rb7 Nf6 83.Re7 Ng4 84.Ra7 Bf6 85.Rf7 Kh5 0-1

This marathon sees Magnus Carlsen take on Levon Aronian at Botvinnik Memorial in 2011. It was played in round 4. The game dates from the modern computer-influenced era.

Play followed English Opening (A36) — a flexible, manoeuvring struggle. Openings in this group reward patient build-up and a feel for pawn structure.

At 85 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.

Games like this are useful at every level: opening principles for beginners, middlegame plans for club players, fine technique for experts.

In the end, Levon Aronian won with the black pieces. 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 Levon Aronian?

In the 237 games between them in our database (2004 to 2024) Carlsen leads 82–40 with 115 draws. This game is number 47 of 237.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian played?

At the Botvinnik Memorial, round 4, on 3 September 2011.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Levon Aronian (Black), at Botvinnik Memorial in 2011.

What opening was played?

The game used English Opening (ECO code A36). A flexible, manoeuvring struggle.

What was the result?

Levon Aronian won with the black pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 85 moves (170 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 English Opening collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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