Magnus Carlsen vs Alexey Sarana
GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Alexey Sarana (2664)
Magnus Carlsen and Alexey Sarana have played 37 recorded games against each other, the first in Oct 2019 and the most recent in Jan 2026. Carlsen leads 23 wins to 7, with 7 draws (81% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian (4 games). The average game between them lasted 49 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsen with White | 21 | 17 | 2 | 2 |
| Sarana with White | 16 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 35 | 21 | 7 | 7 |
| Classical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rapid | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Sarana |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B50 | Sicilian | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| D35 | Indian Defense | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| B40 | Sicilian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| E73 | King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| A84 | Horwitz Defense | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| B00 | Nimzowitsch Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A14 | Catalan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| A45 | London System | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 37 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | Alexey Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Indian Defense | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Jan 2026 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Jan 2026 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 0-1 | English Opening | Titled Tue |
| Dec 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | World Rapid 2025 |
| Nov 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | Indian Defense | 2nd 3-0 Thursday |
| Nov 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Nov 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System | 1st 3-0 Thursday |
| Sep 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Titled Tue |
| Aug 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Pawn Game | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 0-1 | Catalan | Titled Tue Late |
| Aug 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzowitsch Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Jun 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense: Averbakh System | Titled Tue Early |
| Apr 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Horwitz Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Mar 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Jan 2025 | A Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Titled Tue Early |
| Oct 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Oct 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | A Sarana | 1-0 | London System | Titled Tue Late |
| Sep 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1/2-1/2 | London System | Titled Tue Late |
| Aug 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Early |
| Aug 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
| Jul 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Réti Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| May 2024 | Alexey Sarana | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | King's Indian Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Dec 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Wch Blitz |
| Oct 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Oct 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | 38th EU-Cup |
| Sep 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
| Sep 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
| Jul 2023 | Magnus Carlsen | Alexey Sarana | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue Late |
Interactive board, all 37 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Alexey Sarana?
In 37 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 23 wins, Alexey Sarana has 7 wins, and they have drawn 7 times.
How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Alexey Sarana played each other?
Our database records 37 games between them, from Oct 2019 to Jan 2026.
What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Alexey Sarana play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian (4 games), followed by the Indian Defense (3). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.