Magnus Carlsen vs Alexander Grischuk
GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Alexander Grischuk (2628)
Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk have played 116 recorded games against each other, the first in Sep 2006 and the most recent in Dec 2025. Carlsen leads 50 wins to 26, with 40 draws (66% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Indian Defense (6 games). The average game between them lasted 50 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Grischuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsen with White | 58 | 31 | 13 | 14 |
| Grischuk with White | 58 | 19 | 27 | 12 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Grischuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 87 | 40 | 26 | 21 |
| Classical | 18 | 6 | 10 | 2 |
| Rapid | 11 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Grischuk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D37 | Indian Defense | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| D38 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| B40 | Sicilian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 116 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Modern Defense | World Blitz 2025 |
| Dec 2025 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian | Titled Tue |
| Sep 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Titled Tue |
| Nov 2024 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Philidor | Titled Tue Early |
| Jun 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 0-1 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Kadas Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Jun 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2022 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | MrDodgy Online Inv Gp-A 3rd |
| Dec 2021 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Catalan | Wch Blitz |
| Dec 2021 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Wch Rapid |
| May 2021 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Nimzovich-Larsen attack | FTX Crypto Cup Prelim |
| Feb 2021 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Opera Euro Rapid Prelim |
| Dec 2020 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | Airthings Masters Prelim |
| Sep 2020 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Sep 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Sep 2020 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Sicilian: Dragon | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Jun 2020 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | Chessable Masters GpA |
| Jun 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Chessable Masters GpA |
| May 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | Lindores Abbey Prelim |
| May 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | FIDE Steinitz Memorial |
| May 2020 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | FIDE Steinitz Memorial |
| Dec 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation | Wch Blitz |
| Jun 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | 7th Norway Chess |
| Jun 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | French Defense | 7th Norway Masters Blitz |
| Apr 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 6th Gashimov Memorial |
| Aug 2018 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | 6th Sinquefield Cup |
| Dec 2017 | Alexander Grischuk | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Indian Defense | Wch Blitz |
| Dec 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 0-1 | Réti Opening: Symmetrical Defense | Wch Rapid |
| Nov 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1/2-1/2 | King's Indian Defense | chess.com Speed 3m+2spm |
| Nov 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexander Grischuk | 1-0 | English Opening | chess.com Speed 5m+2spm |
Interactive board, all 116 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk?
In 116 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 50 wins, Alexander Grischuk has 26 wins, and they have drawn 40 times.
How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk played each other?
Our database records 116 games between them, from Sep 2006 to Dec 2025.
What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Alexander Grischuk play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Indian Defense (6 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense (5). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.