GM Magnus Carlsen (Alpine APL Pipers) beat GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (CheQ Mumba Masters) in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Preliminary Stage), in 31 moves.
The game turned on 27...h5. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a clear advantage for White (+1.44); one move later, winning for White (+2.85). It was played with 6:09 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 27...Qf5 instead. Can you see why? And 28.Nd7, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
It began as the Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Magnus Carlsen, 2803 · Alpine APL Pipers
- Black
- GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, 2706 · CheQ Mumba Masters
- Result
- 1–0 in 31 moves
- Opening
- Sicilian Defense: Moscow Variation · B51
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Preliminary Stage · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 27...h5
- Engine’s choice
- 27...Qf5