Kjetil A. Lie vs Magnus Carlsen
GM Kjetil A. Lie (2459) · GM Magnus Carlsen (2823)
Kjetil A. Lie and Magnus Carlsen have played 20 recorded games against each other, the first in Apr 2002 and the most recent in Apr 2025. Lie leads 5 wins to 9 - trailing overall, with 6 draws (70% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Trompowsky Attack (2 games). The average game between them lasted 44 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Lie | Draws | Carlsen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lie with White | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Carlsen with White | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Lie | Draws | Carlsen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 16 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Blitz | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Rapid | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Lie | Draws | Carlsen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A45 | Trompowsky Attack | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| B38 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| B38 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| A36 | English Opening: Symmetrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A77 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B20 | Sicilian: Snyder Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A67 | Benoni Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| B21 | Bird's opening | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | K Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Taimanov | Titled Tue Late |
| Mar 2025 | K Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | English Opening: Symmetrical | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2009 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | English Opening: Slav Setup | Gjovik Aker CC Rapid |
| Jan 2009 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1-0 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Gjovik Aker CC Rapid |
| Aug 2007 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | Arctic Chess Challenge |
| Jun 2007 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | English Opening | Living pieces game blindfold |
| Apr 2007 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Bird's opening | Gausdal Classics GM |
| Jul 2006 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1-0 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | ch-NOR |
| Jul 2005 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | ch-NOR |
| Apr 2005 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation | Gausdal GM A |
| Dec 2004 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon | Drammen Smartfish Masters |
| Jul 2004 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1/2-1/2 | Benoni Defense | 26th Politiken Cup |
| Jul 2004 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1-0 | Benoni Defense | ch-NOR |
| May 2004 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 0-1 | Trompowsky Attack | chTA-NOR final |
| May 2004 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 0-1 | Trompowsky Attack | Stjernespretten Grand Prix |
| Aug 2003 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | David Loever Memorial |
| Jul 2003 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | ch-NOR |
| Apr 2003 | Kjetil A. Lie | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Sicilian: Snyder Variation | Gausdal Classics GM |
| Jul 2002 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening | NOR Championship Group Elite |
| Apr 2002 | Magnus Carlsen | Kjetil A. Lie | 0-1 | Sicilian: Closed | Gausdal Classics GM |
Interactive board, all 20 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Kjetil A. Lie and Magnus Carlsen?
In 20 recorded games, Kjetil A. Lie has 5 wins, Magnus Carlsen has 9 wins, and they have drawn 6 times.
How many times have Kjetil A. Lie and Magnus Carlsen played each other?
Our database records 20 games between them, from Apr 2002 to Apr 2025.
What openings do Kjetil A. Lie and Magnus Carlsen play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Trompowsky Attack (2 games), followed by the Sicilian: Hyperaccelerated Dragon (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.