GM Ian Nepomniachtchi (Ganges Grandmasters) beat GM Magnus Carlsen (Alpine APL Pipers) in round 2 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Finals), in 39 moves.
The game turned on 35.Bd2. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a small edge for Black (-1.18); one move later, winning for Black (-7.04). It was played with 1:23 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 35.Be3 instead. Can you see why? And 35...Qb6, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
It began as the Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Magnus Carlsen, 2803 · Alpine APL Pipers
- Black
- GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2729 · Ganges Grandmasters
- Result
- 0–1 in 39 moves
- Opening
- Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line · E05
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Finals, Round 2 · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 35.Bd2
- Engine’s choice
- 35.Be3