The reigning World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen, is not only thought of the best Chess players of all time, but he’s solidified the title of the best Chess endgame player of all time. How can this be? Surely, every Grandmaster has incredible endgame calculation, right? After going through these games, you’ll understand why Magnus Carlsen is the best endgame player in the history of Chess.
10. Magnus Carlsen vs Zbynek Hracek – Germany 2007
At just 16 years old, Magnus Carlsen played against Zbynek Hracek in Baden-Baden, Germany on March 31st, 2007, winning with a brilliant King Walk. The Tartakower Defense variation (D58) of the Queen’s Gambit Declined was played.
9. Teimour Radjabov vs Magnus Carlsen – London 2013
Known as the “Savoy Ruffle”, Carlsen faced Teimour Radjabov in the World Championship Candidates tournament on March 31st, 2013, in London, England. The Classical Variation (E32) of the Nimzo-Indian Defense was played.
8. Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura – Chess.com 2018
On Jan 3rd, 2018, Carlsen played a blitz match against Hikaru Nakamura at the Chess.com Speed Chess Championship. The Normal Variation (E90) of the King’s Indian Defense was played.
7. Peter Svidler vs Magnus Carlsen – Greece 2018
Carlsen played a mind blowing endgame in a losing position with the Black pieces against Peter Svidler on Oct 18th, 2018 at the European Club Cup in Porto Carras Greece. Carlsen played the Tartakower Variation (B15) of the Caro-Kann Defense and managed to get a draw against Svidler.
6. Francisco Vallejo Pons vs Magnus Carlsen – Germany 2019
Carlsen with the black pieces played against Francisco Vallejo Pons in a game that has been called “Vallejo of Tears” on April 21st, 2019 at the GRENKE Chess Classic in Karlsruhe, Germany. The Neo-Archangelsk Variation (C78) of the Spanish Game: Morphy Defense was seen on the board.
5. Vladimir Fedoseev vs Magnus Carlsen – Riyadh 2017
At the World Rapid Championship in 2017, Carlsen played a rapid game against Vladimir Fedoseev on Dec 28th in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. The Bogoljubow Variation (C91) of the Spanish Game was played.
4. Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja – Norway 2021
Just a year ago in 2021 at Norway Chess, Carlsen played against the strong Alireza Firouzja on Sept 13th. The Morphy Defense (C78) variation of the Spanish Game was played.
3. Magnus Carlsen vs Levon Aronian – Nice 2010
Carlsen faced Levon Aronian in a rapid game in Nice, France at the Amber Tournament (Rapid) on March 14th, 2010. The Spanish Variation (C48) variation of the Four Knights Game was seen on the board. Carlsen played one of the best endgames ever seen in Chess.
2. Anish Giri vs Magnus Carlsen – Chess24.com 2020
Carlsen played a rapid game against Anish Giri at the Skilling Open on Nov 25th, 2020 on chess24.com. The Italian Variation (C50) of the Italian Game was played.
1. Magnus Carlsen vs Viswanathan Anand – Chennai 2013
Last but not least, we have the game known as “Norwegian Wood”. Magnus Carlsen played against legendary Viswanathan Anand at the Anand – Carlsen World Championship Match on November 15th, 2013 in Chennai, India. The Forgotten Variation (D31) of the Marshall Gambit in the Semi-Slav Defense was played.
That concludes this list of Magnus Carlsen’s best endgame performances of all time.
Endgame Knowledge
In addition to all the games we just looked at, the cherry on top is Magnus Carlsen’s knowledge of endgames. Carlsen took what is known as the “100 Endgames Test” and breezed through it like a walk in the park.
Do you agree that Magnus Carlsen is the best endgame player of all time? Did we miss any notable endgame performances that we should add to this list? Let us know by using our suggestion form. If you want to read more about Magnus, see the list on interesting facts about Magnus Carlsen.