King's Indian: Makagonov System (5...O-O 6.Be3 e5)
King’s Indian Defense – Makagonov System, 5…O-O 6.Be3 e5
Definition
The Makagonov System is a branch of the King’s Indian Defense that arises after the
moves:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.Nf3 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 e5.
It is named after the Azerbaijani master Vladimir Makagonov (1908-1993), who popularized
the early h2–h3 idea in the 1940s.
How the System Is Used
The key positional ideas revolve around the pawn thrust h2–h3, which:
- Prevents Black’s typical …Bg4 pin on the Nf3-knight.
- Makes it harder for Black to generate kingside pressure with …f5, because the g4-square can be controlled by White.
- Gives White flexible options: a later g2–g4 to launch a kingside attack, or a restrained central approach with d4–d5.
After 6…e5, play usually continues 7.d5 (space-gaining) or 7.Be2 (flexible). The resulting middlegames are often slower and more strategic than in the sharp Mar del Plata or Four Pawns Attack lines.
Strategic Significance
- Space Advantage: By playing 7.d5, White clamps down on the c6- and f6-squares, limiting the scope of Black’s minor pieces.
- Control of g4: Because …Bg4 is no longer possible, White can later consider g2–g4 and Bg2 to expand on the kingside.
- Piece Placement: White’s dark-squared bishop often drops back to e2 or d3, then reroutes via g4 or h5. Black commonly responds with …a5, …Na6, and …Nc5 or …Nh5-f4.
- Endgame Prospects: The structure d5 vs …e5 tends to give White a pleasant space edge and fewer weaknesses, making the Makagonov a favorite of positional players.
Historical Notes
Makagonov employed 5.h3 successfully against players such as Botvinnik and Lilienthal in the 1940s. The line then went quiet until it was revived by Anatoly Karpov in the 1970s, becoming one of his main weapons against the King’s Indian. Modern grandmasters—Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Ding Liren—still use it as a solid alternative to the razor-sharp Classical main lines.
Notable Games
-
Karpov vs. Kasparov, World Championship (16), 1985
-
Caruana vs. Karjakin, Candidates 2016
- Makagonov vs. Botvinnik, USSR Ch 1943 (One of the earliest illustrative victories by the line’s namesake.)
Typical Plans for Each Side
- White
- 7.d5 to fix the center, then Nd2–f1–g3, g2–g4, and sometimes h3-h4-h5.
- Queenside expansion with b2–b4 after a4 has been ruled out.
- Exchange on c5 to control dark squares and restrict Black’s bishop.
- Black
- Breaks: …c6 or …f5 to undermine White’s pawn chain.
- Piece play: …Na6–c5, …Nh5–f4, and the thematic …f7-f5.
- Occasional switch to a Benoni-type structure after …exd4 and …c5.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- When preparing for his 1984-85 matches with Kasparov, Karpov asked his seconds to “find me a way to make Garry think for himself.” The Makagonov System became one of his surprise choices.
- Because h2–h3 is seen as an anti-theoretical tool, club players sometimes refer to it jokingly as “the Mak-a-move-on-off system.”
- The line has inspired computer scientists: an early Deep Blue opening book file was nick-named “Makagonov.txt” after IBM engineers noticed how often Kasparov faced it.
- Although usually quiet, the system can erupt: in Radjabov-Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2013, White played a stunning pawn storm g4-g5-h4-h5 and sacrificed on g6 for a winning attack.
Summary
The Makagonov System (5.h3) followed by 6.Be3 e5 is a robust, strategically rich way to meet the King’s Indian Defense. It limits Black’s typical kingside play, offers White long-term spatial leverage, and remains a respected choice from club level all the way to elite grandmaster events.