Magnus Carlsen vs Veselin Topalov
GM Magnus Carlsen (2823) · GM Veselin Topalov (2695)
29
Carlsen wins
23
draws
6
Topalov wins
58
games
Magnus Carlsen and Veselin Topalov have played 58 recorded games against each other, the first in Jan 2007 and the most recent in Jul 2022. Carlsen leads 29 wins to 6, with 23 draws (60% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Sicilian: Moscow Variation (3 games). The average game between them lasted 44 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlsen with White | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 |
| Topalov with White | 32 | 13 | 17 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 31 | 11 | 15 | 5 |
| Blitz | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 |
| Rapid | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Carlsen | Draws | Topalov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B51 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| D38 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| C95 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| B33 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| C54 | Italian Game | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| C84 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A28 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| B23 | Sicilian: Closed | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Most recent 30 of 58 games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2022 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Closed | Zagreb SuperUnited Blitz |
| Jul 2022 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Italian Game | Zagreb SuperUnited Blitz |
| Jul 2022 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Caro-Kann: Two Knights Variation | Zagreb SuperUnited Rapid |
| Jun 2022 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | 10th Norway Chess Armageddon |
| Jun 2022 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Italian Game | 10th Norway Chess |
| May 2022 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Trompowsky Attack | 10th Norway Masters Blitz |
| May 2019 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Sveshnikov | Abidjan GCT Blitz |
| May 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | Abidjan GCT Blitz |
| May 2019 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Four Knights Game: Scotch Variation | Abidjan GCT rapid |
| Apr 2019 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 6th Gashimov Memorial |
| Apr 2018 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 5th Gashimov Memorial |
| Jun 2017 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Slav Defense | Paris GCT Blitz |
| Jun 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | London System | Paris GCT Blitz |
| Jun 2017 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Indian Defense | Paris GCT Rapid |
| Jun 2016 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Grünfeld Defense | Leuven GCT blitz |
| Jun 2016 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Sicilian: Najdorf | Leuven GCT blitz |
| Jun 2016 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1-0 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | Leuven GCT Rapid |
| Jun 2016 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Paris GCT blitz |
| Jun 2016 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Paris GCT blitz |
| Jun 2016 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Closed | Paris GCT Rapid |
| Apr 2016 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | 4th Norway Chess |
| Apr 2016 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Ruy Lopez: Fianchetto | 4th Norway Masters blitz |
| Dec 2015 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Indian Defense | 7th London Classic |
| Aug 2015 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 0-1 | Sicilian: Moscow Variation | Sinquefield Cup 3rd |
| Jun 2015 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 0-1 | Semi-Slav Defense | 3rd Norway Chess |
| Jun 2015 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | Modern Defense | 3rd Norway Masters Blitz |
| Sep 2014 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Ruy Lopez: Berlin Defense | 2nd Sinquefield Cup |
| Aug 2014 | Magnus Carlsen | Veselin Topalov | 1/2-1/2 | Nimzo-Indian Defense | 2nd Sinquefield Cup |
| Jun 2014 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 2nd Norway Chess |
| Jun 2014 | Veselin Topalov | Magnus Carlsen | 0-1 | King's Knight Opening: Konstantinopolsky | Norway Chess Blitz 2nd |
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Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Magnus Carlsen and Veselin Topalov?
In 58 recorded games, Magnus Carlsen has 29 wins, Veselin Topalov has 6 wins, and they have drawn 23 times.
How many times have Magnus Carlsen and Veselin Topalov played each other?
Our database records 58 games between them, from Jan 2007 to Jul 2022.
What openings do Magnus Carlsen and Veselin Topalov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Sicilian: Moscow Variation (3 games), followed by the Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense (3). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.