Carlsen – Nepomniachtchi World Championship Match 2021
- dates
- 26 November–10 December 2021
- location
- Dubai Exhibition Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- score
- 7½–3½ (Carlsen–Nepomniachtchi)
- winner
- Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen defended his world title against Candidates winner Ian Nepomniachtchi at the Dubai Exhibition Centre during Expo 2020. The games were played from 26 November to 10 December 2021. The match was scheduled for 14 classical games, with the first player to reach 7½ points winning.
Five opening draws kept the contest level before Carlsen won the historic 136-move sixth game. He added wins in games 8, 9 and 11 to retain the title, finishing 7½–3½ with four wins and seven draws. Explore the match in chronological order and choose either player for each game.
The opening phase tested two contrasting routes with White: Nepomniachtchi repeatedly returned to the Ruy Lopez, while Carlsen used the Catalan and tested the Petroff Defence. The first five games all ended in draws, but they offered different lessons in preparation, active piece play and defending positions without giving the opponent a clear target.
Game 6 changed the course of the match. Its 136 moves made it the longest game in World Championship match history, and Carlsen converted a demanding endgame to take the first lead. After a draw in game 7, wins in games 8 and 9 widened the gap. Game 10 was drawn, and Carlsen's victory in game 11 brought the match to an early close with three scheduled games unused.
Use the game sections below to follow that progression from an evenly balanced opening to the decisive final stretch. You can train as either player in every game, including the seven draws. Choosing Carlsen lets you work through the champion's decisions; choosing Nepomniachtchi lets you examine the challenger's plans and defensive choices from his side of the board. Each side keeps its own saved session, while finishing either side counts toward the 11-game match total.
Match results
| Player | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | Game 8 | Game 9 | Game 10 | Game 11 | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1 | 7½ |
| Ian Nepomniachtchi | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 3½ |
Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 11.
Completed 0 / 11
Game 1: An opening test in the Ruy Lopez
Nepomniachtchi began with White in a Ruy Lopez. Carlsen gave up a pawn for active pieces, and the challenger defended to reach a draw after 45 moves. The opening game left the match level at half a point each. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 1/2-1/2 | Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi World Championship Match | 2021 | 45 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 2: A sharp Catalan struggle
Carlsen chose the Catalan for his first White game. A complicated middlegame gave Nepomniachtchi chances, but Carlsen held the ensuing endgame. The 58-move draw made the score 1–1. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1/2-1/2 | Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi World Championship Match | 2021 | 58 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 3: Another Ruy Lopez draw
The players returned to the Ruy Lopez with Nepomniachtchi as White. Carlsen neutralised White’s pressure, and the game was drawn after 41 moves. Both players entered the first rest day on 1½ points. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 1/2-1/2 | Carlsen - Nepomniachtchi World Championship Match | 2021 | 41 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 4: The Petroff holds
On his 31st birthday, Carlsen tested Nepomniachtchi’s Petroff Defence. The challenger held his preparation and the players repeated moves, drawing in 33 moves. The match remained level at 2–2. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1/2-1/2 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 33 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 5: Pressure without a breakthrough
Nepomniachtchi pressed with White in another Ruy Lopez, but Carlsen’s defence held. The game ended in a 43-move draw, leaving the score at 2½–2½ after five consecutive draws. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 1/2-1/2 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 43 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 6: The 136-move turning point
Carlsen won a marathon lasting 136 moves, the longest game in World Championship history at the time. His rook, knight and pawns eventually overcame Nepomniachtchi’s queen. The first decisive result gave Carlsen a 3½–2½ lead. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1-0 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 136 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 7: A steady reply after the marathon
The players met again the day after the marathon. Nepomniachtchi played the Ruy Lopez with White, and Carlsen equalised. Their 41-move draw left Carlsen ahead by one point, 4–3. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 1/2-1/2 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 41 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 8: Carlsen extends his lead
Carlsen scored his second win with White against the Petroff. Nepomniachtchi’s 21...b5 allowed White to take control, and Carlsen converted the advantage in 46 moves. His lead grew to 5–3. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1-0 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 46 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 9: A trapped bishop decides the game
Nepomniachtchi switched to 1.c4, but his 27.c5 allowed Carlsen to trap the white bishop with 27...c6. Carlsen won in 39 moves and took a commanding 6–3 lead. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 0-1 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 39 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 10: One step closer to the title
Carlsen again faced the Petroff with White. A 41-move draw brought him to 6½ points against Nepomniachtchi’s 3½, leaving the champion one point from retaining his title. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnus Carlsen – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1/2-1/2 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 41 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Game 11: Carlsen retains the championship
Nepomniachtchi chose 1.e4 and faced Carlsen’s Petroff. After White’s 23.g3, Carlsen broke through and converted a rook endgame. The 49-move win ended the match at 7½–3½: four Carlsen wins, seven draws and no losses. Source
| Game | Event | Year | Moves | Played | Current move | Score | Correct | Accuracy | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Nepomniachtchi – Magnus Carlsen 0-1 | FIDE World Championship 2021 | 2021 | 49 | No | — | — | — | — | Start |
Reviewed 2026-10-03. Match results and game references.
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