Magnus Carlsen vs Ian Nepomniachtchi
GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (2735)
Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi have played 171 recorded games against each other, the first in Oct 2002 and the most recent in Aug 2025. Carlsen leads 66 wins to 26, with 79 draws (54% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Petrov's Defense (7 games). The average game between them lasted 47 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsen with White | 85 | 36 | 35 | 14 |
| Nepomniachtchi with White | 86 | 30 | 44 | 12 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 127 | 52 | 54 | 21 |
| Classical | 24 | 5 | 15 | 4 |
| Rapid | 20 | 9 | 10 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Nepomniachtchi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C42 | Petrov's Defense | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| B90 | Sicilian: Najdorf | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| A28 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| A29 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| B22 | Sicilian: Alapin | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| C88 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 171 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Nimzo-Larsen Attack | Titled Tue Early |
| Jan 2025 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Modern Defense | Titled Tue Late |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Sicilian: Alapin | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | London System | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | French: Classical Variation | World Blitz Final KO 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Petrov's Defense | World Blitz 2024 |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Italian Game: Classical Variation | CCT Final KO |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Alapin | CCT Final KO |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | French: Classical Variation | CCT Final KO |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian: Rubinstein System | CCT Final KO |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Indian Defense | CCT Final KO |
| Dec 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | CCT Final RR |
| Dec 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | CCT Final RR |
| Nov 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Nov 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Sep 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Julius Baer GenCup D1 w |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Julius Baer GenCup D1 w |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Julius Baer GenCup D1 w |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian | Julius Baer GenCup D1 w |
| Sep 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Julius Baer GenCup D1 w |
| Sep 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Titled Tue Early |
| Jul 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 0-1 | Catalan | CrunchLab Masters Div 1 L |
| Jul 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | CrunchLab Masters Div 1 L |
| Jul 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | CrunchLab Masters Div 1 L |
| Jul 2024 | Magnus Carlsen | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 1-0 | Sicilian: Najdorf | CrunchLab Masters Div 1 w |
| Jul 2024 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | CrunchLab Masters Div 1 w |
Interactive board, all 171 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi?
In 171 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 66 wins, Ian Nepomniachtchi has 26 wins, and they have drawn 79 times.
How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi played each other?
Our database records 171 games between them, from Oct 2002 to Aug 2025.
What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Petrov's Defense (7 games), followed by the Sicilian: Najdorf (6). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.