Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So, Lindores Abbey Final 8 2020

Nimzo-Indian Defense (E21) · 1-0 (Magnus Carlsen won) · 33 moves · Round 1.11 · 24 May 2020

♔
White
Magnus Carlsen
1 – 0
Black
Wesley So
♚

About This Game

Game summary

  • WhiteMagnus Carlsen
  • BlackWesley So
  • Result1-0 · Magnus Carlsen won
  • EventLindores Abbey Final 8 2020
  • Round1.11
  • Date24 May 2020
  • OpeningNimzo-Indian Defense (E21)
  • Length33 moves
  • Type of eventRapid

This is game 77 of 235 between Magnus Carlsen and Wesley So in the Rama Chess database (2015–2025). In all their games Carlsen leads 100–33 with 102 draws.

Previous game: Carlsen vs So, ½-½ (Lindores Abbey Prelim, 2020).

Next game: Carlsen vs So, ½-½ (Lindores Abbey Final 8, 2020).

The moves of Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So, Lindores Abbey Final 8 2020

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Bg5 c5 6.Rc1 cxd4 7.Nxd4 h6 8.Bh4 d5 9.cxd5 g5 10.Bg3 Qxd5 11.e3 Qxa2 12.Qc2 Bxc3+ 13.Qxc3 Ne4 14.Qc2 Qa5+ 15.Ke2 Nxg3+ 16.hxg3 Kg7 17.f4 Bd7 18.b4 Qxb4 19.fxg5 Rc8 20.gxh6+ Kh8 21.Qxc8+ Bxc8 22.Rxc8+ Kh7 23.Nf3 f6 24.Kf2 Qb2+ 25.Be2 Na6 26.Rxa8 Nc5 27.Rd1 Ne4+ 28.Kg1 f5 29.Bd3 Qf2+ 30.Kh1 Qxe3 31.Bxe4 fxe4 32.Rd7+ Kg6 33.Rg8+ 1-0

This middlegame battle sees Magnus Carlsen take on Wesley So at Lindores Abbey Final 8 in 2020. The game dates from the contemporary engine era.

Play followed Nimzo-Indian Defense (E21) — a strategic battle of structure and activity. In these systems both sides manoeuvre carefully before committing.

Lasting 33 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.

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

When the dust settled, Magnus Carlsen 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 Wesley So?

In the 235 games between them in our database (2015 to 2025) Carlsen leads 100–33 with 102 draws. This game is number 77 of 235.

Where and when was Magnus Carlsen vs Wesley So played?

At the Lindores Abbey Final 8, round 1.11, on 24 May 2020.

Who played this game?

This game was played between Magnus Carlsen (White) and Wesley So (Black), at Lindores Abbey Final 8 in 2020.

What opening was played?

The game used Nimzo-Indian Defense (ECO code E21). A strategic battle of structure and activity.

What was the result?

Magnus Carlsen won with the white pieces.

How long was the game?

The game lasted 33 moves (65 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 Nimzo-Indian Defense collection, Magnus Carlsen's complete game archive, and thousands more grandmaster games in the RamaChess archive.

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