Makagonov: Prophylaxis in KID & QGD
Makagonov
Definition
"Makagonov" most commonly refers to Vladimir Andreevich Makagonov (1904–1993), a leading Soviet master, renowned coach, and opening theoretician. His name is attached to two important opening systems:
- The Makagonov System in the King's Indian Defense (often with an early h3 for White).
- The Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System (TMB) in the Queen's Gambit Declined for Black.
Makagonov was awarded the International Master title in 1950 and later received the honorary Grandmaster title (1980s). He was a multiple-time champion of the Azerbaijan SSR and a formative coach in the Baku chess school.
How the term is used in chess
Players and authors say "the Makagonov" in two contexts:
- "Makagonov against the King's Indian": White employs 5.h3 (or a quick h3) to gain a stable, prophylactic setup versus Black’s kingside ambitions.
- "Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System": Black adopts ...b6 and ...Bb7 in the QGD Orthodox setup to solve the light-squared bishop and aim for ...c5 breaks.
Strategic ideas and significance
King’s Indian Defense — Makagonov System (with h3):
- Prophylaxis: The move h3 restrains ...Bg4 and ...Ng4, and slows Black’s pawn storms with ...g5.
- Flexible development: White often goes Nf3 (or Nge2), Be3, Be2, and sometimes Bg5, keeping options for g4 or a queenside expansion.
- Space and restraint: After ...e5, White commonly plays d5, fixing space and curbing Black’s typical kingside counterplay.
- Transpositional value: Against an early ...c5, the game can veer into Benoni-like structures where White’s kingside clamp is useful.
Queen’s Gambit Declined — TMB System (for Black):
- Bishop activation: ...b6 and ...Bb7 solve Black’s traditional QGD problem of the light-squared bishop.
- Central tension: Black aims for timely ...c5 (or sometimes ...c6 and ...dxc4) to challenge White’s center.
- Solid yet dynamic: The structure is resilient and has been trusted in world championship play; Black maintains flexibility to meet White’s plans like the minority attack with ...c5 or well-timed piece play.
Why it matters: Both systems embody Makagonov’s prophylactic, strategically sound approach, influencing generations of players (and appearing regularly in elite events).
Example: King’s Indian Defense, Makagonov System
Typical move order showing h3, a clamp on ...g5, and the option of a kingside space gain with g4:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. h3 0-0 6. Bg5 e5 7. d5 a5 8. g4 Na6 9. Nge2 Nc5 10. Ng3 c6
Ideas to visualize: White has stopped ...Bg4 and ...g5, can redeploy pieces behind the d5 space wedge, and may expand with Be3, Be2, h4, and sometimes Rg1–h4–g5 in suitable cases.
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Example: QGD Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System
Characteristic development with ...b6 and ...Bb7 leading to a solid but active setup for Black:
1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bg5 h6 6. Bh4 0-0 7. e3 b6 8. Bd3 Bb7 9. 0-0 Nbd7 10. Qe2 c5
Black aims for timely ...c5 to counter White’s central grip and is ready to meet queenside operations with piece pressure and central play.
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Notable usage
- The QGD TMB System appeared repeatedly in Kasparov–Karpov World Championship matches (1985–1990), underscoring its reliability at the highest level.
- The Makagonov System against the King’s Indian has been a staple anti-KID weapon for many elite grandmasters in the 2000s–2010s, valued for its solidity and move-order flexibility.
Practical tips
- Against the King’s Indian: After 5.h3, be ready for both ...e5 (space with d5) and ...c5 (consider dxc5 or d5, depending on your preferred structure). Keep an eye on the c4 and e4 squares and time g4 only when Black can’t counterstrike effectively with ...f5 or piece tactics.
- In the QGD TMB: As Black, coordinate ...b6, ...Bb7 with ...Nbd7 and ...c5; avoid premature exchanges that leave you with a passive structure. Watch for White’s minority attack b4–b5 and meet it with timely ...c5 or central piece activity.
History and anecdotes
Makagonov was a key figure in the Baku chess school and taught future World Champion Garry Kasparov in his formative years. His emphasis on prophylaxis—asking what the opponent wants to do, then quietly restraining it—shines through in the h3 system versus the King’s Indian and the patient, resilient TMB structure in the QGD.
He was a formidable competitor in the pre-war and post-war Soviet Championships and later became one of the Soviet Union’s respected trainers and theoreticians. His influence endures every time a top-level player chooses a calm h3 against the King’s Indian or trusts the TMB as Black in the QGD.