Magnus Carlsen vs Pentala Harikrishna
GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Pentala Harikrishna (2655)
Magnus Carlsen and Pentala Harikrishna have played 28 recorded games against each other, the first in Apr 2004 and the most recent in Apr 2025. Carlsen leads 15 wins to 2, with 11 draws (61% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Sveshnikov (2 games). The average game between them lasted 50 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Harikrishna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsen with White | 16 | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Harikrishna with White | 12 | 3 | 7 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Harikrishna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blitz | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
| Classical | 11 | 4 | 6 | 1 |
| Rapid | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Harikrishna |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A22 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A45 | London System | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A48 | Indian Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B10 | Caro-Kann: Endgame Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B12 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A20 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| A00 | Kadas Opening | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | London System | Titled Tue Late |
| Mar 2025 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Kadas Opening | Titled Tue Late |
| Oct 2022 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Aimchess Rapid Prelim |
| Oct 2022 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 37th EU-Cup |
| May 2022 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Caro-Kann: Endgame Variation | Chessable Masters Prelim |
| Mar 2022 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | French: Classical Variation | Charity Cup Prelim |
| Jan 2021 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 83rd Tata Steel Masters |
| Dec 2020 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Airthings Masters Prelim |
| Sep 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | French: Advance Variation | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Sep 2020 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Sicilian | Saint Louis Blitz |
| Sep 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Caro-Kann: Advance Variation | Saint Louis Rapid |
| Jun 2020 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Chessable Masters GpA |
| Jun 2020 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Chessable Masters GpA |
| Nov 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Tata Steel India blitz |
| Nov 2019 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Queen's Gambit Declined | Tata Steel India blitz |
| Nov 2019 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | Tata Steel India Rapid |
| Dec 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Catalan | Wch Blitz |
| Jan 2017 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Four Knights Game: Spanish Variation | 79th Tata Steel Masters |
| Sep 2016 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game: Giuoco Pianissimo | Olympiad-42 |
| Apr 2016 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Queen's Indian Defense | 4th Norway Chess |
| Apr 2016 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Sicilian: Taimanov | 4th Norway Masters blitz |
| Jun 2014 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 8th Wch Blitz |
| Jan 2013 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | Ponziani Opening | 75th Tata Steel Masters |
| Oct 2007 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1-0 | French: Tarrasch Variation | World Cup Blindfold |
| Oct 2007 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | World Cup Blindfold |
| Sep 2005 | Magnus Carlsen | Pentala Harikrishna | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Lausanne YM 6th |
| Sep 2005 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1-0 | Petrov's Defense | Lausanne YM 6th |
| Apr 2004 | Pentala Harikrishna | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | 6th Dubai Open |
Interactive board, all 28 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Pentala Harikrishna?
In 28 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 15 wins, Pentala Harikrishna has 2 wins, and they have drawn 11 times.
How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Pentala Harikrishna played each other?
Our database records 28 games between them, from Apr 2004 to Apr 2025.
What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Pentala Harikrishna play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Sveshnikov (2 games), followed by the English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.