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Magnus Carlsen vs Alexei Shirov

GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Alexei Shirov (2601)

15
Carlsen wins
9
draws
2
Shirov wins
26
games

Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov have played 26 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 2005 and the most recent in Mar 2025. Carlsen leads 15 wins to 2, with 9 draws (65% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (3 games). The average game between them lasted 50 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesCarlsenDrawsShirov
Carlsen with White13940
Shirov with White13652

Results by time format

FormatGamesCarlsenDrawsShirov
Classical16682
Blitz9810
Rapid1100

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesCarlsenDrawsShirov
C78Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense3300
C95Ruy Lopez: Closed2110
B33Sicilian: Sveshnikov2011
B30Sicilian: Rossolimo1010
B42Sicilian1010
B80Sicilian: Najdorf1100
B41Sicilian1100
C02St. George Defense1100

All games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Mar 2025Magnus CarlsenA Shirov1-0French: Classical VariationTitled Tue Late
Jun 2024Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1SicilianTitled Tue Late
May 2024Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1Sicilian: NajdorfTitled Tue Early
Feb 2024Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1St. George DefenseTitled Tue Early
Aug 2022Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0English Opening: Slav SetupTitled Tue Late
Dec 2021Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1Ruy Lopez: ClosedWch Rapid
Oct 2019Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Petrov's DefenseFIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss
Dec 2018Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: Morphy DefenseWch Blitz
Jul 2011Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1Ruy Lopez: Berlin DefenseBiel Accentus
Jul 2011Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Slav DefenseBiel Accentus
Jan 2011Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Scotch Game73rd Tata Steel Masters
Oct 2010Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense3rd Grand Slam Final
Oct 2010Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: Closed3rd Grand Slam Final
Jan 2010Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Sicilian: SveshnikovCorus
May 2009Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1-0Sicilian: Sveshnikov5th Sofia MTel Masters
May 2009Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Slav Defense5th Sofia MTel Masters
Jun 2008Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Semi-Slav DefenseForos Aerosvit 3rd
Feb 2008Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Ruy Lopez: Morphy DefenseMorelia/Linares 25th
Feb 2008Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2SicilianMorelia/Linares 25th
Nov 2007Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense2nd Wch Blitz
Nov 2007Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen0-1Alekhine Defense2nd Wch Blitz
Nov 2007Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1-0Ruy Lopez: Open2nd Moscow Tal Memorial
Oct 2007Alexei ShirovMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Sicilian: Rossolimo16th chT-EU
Jan 2007Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Ruy Lopez: ClosedCorus
Nov 2006Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1/2-1/2Petrov's DefenseMoscow Tal Memorial 1st
Jan 2005Magnus CarlsenAlexei Shirov1-0Ruy Lopez: ClosedDrammen Smartfish Masters
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov?

In 26 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 15 wins, Alexei Shirov has 2 wins, and they have drawn 9 times.

How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov played each other?

Our database records 26 games between them, from Jan 2005 to Mar 2025.

What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Alexei Shirov play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Ruy Lopez: Morphy Defense (3 games), followed by the Ruy Lopez: Closed (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.