Magnus Carlsen’s Most Frequently Used Openings:

As White

• 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 (London System) Carlsen often turns to the London System to steer the game into quiet positional battles and squeeze out the smallest advantages.

• 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 (Spanish/Ruy Lopez) The classical Ruy Lopez follows closely behind and remains a core part of his repertoire.

As Black

• 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 (Berlin Defense) Against 1.e4, Carlsen most frequently opts for the Berlin Defense to enforce long endgames and demonstrate his technical prowess.

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 (Queen’s Gambit Declined) Alongside

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 (King’s Indian Defense)

these two defenses rank as his next most important choices with Black.

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