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Magnus Carlsen vs Boris Gelfand

GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Boris Gelfand (2641)

19
Carlsen wins
21
draws
5
Gelfand wins
45
games

Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand have played 45 recorded games against each other, the first in Jul 2005 and the most recent in Sep 2022. Carlsen leads 19 wins to 5, with 21 draws (53% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Indian Defense (2 games). The average game between them lasted 43 moves.

Results by color

SplitGamesCarlsenDrawsGelfand
Carlsen with White259133
Gelfand with White201082

Results by time format

FormatGamesCarlsenDrawsGelfand
Blitz20983
Classical197102
Rapid6330

Openings in their games

ECOOpeningGamesCarlsenDrawsGelfand
D37Indian Defense2020
B81Sicilian: Najdorf2110
D12Slav Defense2200
D17Slav Defense2101
E15Queen's Indian Defense2011
A58Benoni Defense1100
A48Torre Attack1010
A33English Opening1010

Most recent 30 of 45 games

DateWhiteBlackResultOpeningEvent
Sep 2022Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Slav DefenseJulius Baer GenCup Prelim
Dec 2021Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: ClosedWch Blitz
Jul 2020Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Grünfeld DefenseLegends of Chess Prelim
Jul 2020Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: SveshnikovLegends of Chess Prelim
Jul 2020Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0SicilianLegends of Chess Prelim
Dec 2018Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2English OpeningWch Blitz
Oct 2015Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Horwitz Defense9th Wch Blitz
Feb 2014Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Benoni DefenseZuerich Chess Challenge Rapid
Jan 2014Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Indian DefenseZuerich Chess Challenge
Jan 2014Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Torre AttackZuerich Chess Challenge Blitz
Jun 2013Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Indian Defense8th Moscow Tal Memorial
Jun 2013Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian: NajdorfMoscow Tal Memorial 8th Blitz
Mar 2013Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Sicilian: RossolimoCandidates Tournament
Mar 2013Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Slav DefenseCandidates Tournament
Jul 2012Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Slav Defense6th Wch Blitz
Jul 2012Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Sicilian6th Wch Blitz
Jul 2012Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Indian DefenseWch Rapid
Jan 2012Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Slav Defense74th Tata Steel Masters
Nov 2011Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Slav Defense6th Moscow Tal Memorial
Mar 2011Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Benoni DefenseAmber Rapid 20th
Mar 2011Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand0-1Indian Defense20th Amber Blindfold
Nov 2010Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen1-0Queen's Indian Defense5th Wch Blitz
Nov 2010Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand0-1Sicilian5th Wch Blitz
Jun 2010Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Queen's Gambit Declined: Orthodox Defense4th Bazna Kings
Jun 2010Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2Semi-Slav Defense4th Bazna Kings
Mar 2010Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1-0Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation19th Amber Blindfold
Mar 2010Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1King's Indian Defense: Orthodox Variation19th Amber Rapid
Nov 2009Magnus CarlsenBoris Gelfand1/2-1/2English Opening4th World Blitz
Nov 2009Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen0-1Indian Defense4th World Blitz
Nov 2009Boris GelfandMagnus Carlsen1/2-1/2Grünfeld Defense4th Moscow Tal Memorial
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Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand?

In 45 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 19 wins, Boris Gelfand has 5 wins, and they have drawn 21 times.

How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand played each other?

Our database records 45 games between them, from Jul 2005 to Sep 2022.

What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Boris Gelfand play against each other?

The most common opening in their games is the Indian Defense (2 games), followed by the Sicilian: Najdorf (2). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.