Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System
Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System
Definition
The Tartakower–Makagonov–Bondarevsky System (often abbreviated as TMB System, and sometimes spelled “Makogonov”) is a solid, prophylactic setup for White against the King's Indian Defense. It is characterized by an early h3, most commonly arising after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3. The move h3 prevents ...Bg4 pinning the knight on f3 and makes Black’s thematic ...f5 pawn break harder to achieve. White often follows with Be3, Bg5, d5, and sometimes g4 to clamp down on Black’s kingside play.
Typical Move Order
The most common route:
Other move orders exist (e.g., 5. h3 instead of 5. Nf3), but the core idea is the same: include h3 early to restrict ...Bg4 and slow down ...f5.
How it is used in chess
The TMB System is a practical weapon for players who want to avoid the sharpest main lines of the King's Indian (such as the Mar del Plata) without ceding ambitions. It aims for a space advantage with d5 and controlled queenside expansion while keeping a tight lid on Black’s kingside breaks. Because it reduces Black’s typical counterplay, it often leads to maneuvering battles, where understanding plans and piece placements outweighs rote memorization.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Prophylaxis: h3 prevents ...Bg4 and discourages ...f5. After h3, White can more safely develop Be3/Bg5 and sometimes play g4 to clamp the kingside.
- Space with d5: After ...e5, the advance d5 gains space and fixes the structure. White then presses on the queenside with a3, b4, c5 in many lines.
- Piece placement: Knights often maneuver via d2–f1–g3 or e1–d3; bishops go to e3 and e2 (or g5), queen to c2, and rooks to e1 and c1.
- Queenside play: Typical ideas include a3, b4, and c5 to gain space, while maintaining a kingside clamp that denies Black counterplay.
- Timing g4: In favorable circumstances (especially after ...Nh5 or ...h6), White plays g4 to fully restrict ...f5.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Breaks: If the kingside is restrained, Black looks for ...c6 and ...d5, or plays for ...c5 to strike at White’s center from the queenside.
- Knight routes: ...Na6–c5 or ...Nbd7–c5 are thematic squares aiming at e4 and pressuring d3/c4 (after White advances c5).
- Provoking weaknesses: ...h6 and ...Nh5 can provoke g4, which Black can later attack with ...f5, ...Nf4, or ...Qf6.
- Queenside counterplay: ...a5–a4 to slow White’s b4, and pressure on the c4/d4 complex; timely exchanges (e.g., ...exd4) to alter the pawn structure in Black’s favor.
Historical and Naming Significance
The triple-barreled name honors three contributors: Savielly Tartakower, who experimented early with h3 setups; Vladimir Makagonov, who deeply developed the positional themes (hence the common shorthand “Makagonov System”); and Igor Bondarevsky, who added significant analysis and practical use. The system gained popularity among positional greats who preferred to stifle Black’s dynamic counterplay in the King's Indian Defense while building long-term queenside pressure.
Modern elite players have used it as a reliable anti-KID weapon, steering the game into structures where understanding of plans is paramount. The line has also been popular in correspondence and engine-assisted analysis because the prophylactic concept often yields robust positions for White.
Model Plans and Illustrative Sequences
A classical structure with a queenside plan for White:
Notes: h3 and g4 restrain ...f5; after d5 White seeks queenside expansion (b4, c5). Black counters in the center and on the queenside with knight hops and pawn breaks; timing is critical for both sides.
A line highlighting a pure clamp with Bg5 and Be3 ideas:
Here White keeps a kingside grip while preparing a2–a4 and b2–b4. Black replies with ...c6 or ...c5 to fight the center and open files for counterplay.
Transpositional and Practical Nuances
- Avoiding the Mar del Plata: By inserting h3 early, White sidesteps the sharpest KID main lines after ...Nc6, ...Ne7, and ...f5, instead heading for maneuvering battles.
- Benoni possibilities: If Black plays ...c5 early and White replies d5, the structure can resemble a Modern Benoni. Understanding Benoni plans (e.g., White’s space and queenside play vs Black’s ...b5/...Re8/...Nbd7–c5) is useful. See also Benoni Defense.
- Move-order sensitivity: Playing Bg5 too soon can allow ...h6 and ...g5 with tempo; conversely, delaying h3 can permit ...Bg4, an irritating pin.
- Endgame trend: Structures after d5 and queenside clamps often drift toward slightly better endgames for White due to space and safer king, though Black’s counterplay can be potent if files open at the right moment.
Examples to Visualize
- Restricting ...f5: After 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. h3 e5 7. d5 Na6 8. g4, White clamps the kingside; Black often replies with ...Nd7, ...Ndc5, and ...f5 only when tactically justified.
- Queenside push: In many lines White plays a3, b4, and c5. For instance, after 8...Qe8 9. Be3 Nd7 10. Nd2 f5 11. gxf5 gxf5 12. exf5 Ndc5 13. b4, White seizes space and targets c5 and e4 squares.
- Black counterplay: If White overextends with g4–h4–h5 too fast, ...f5, ...Nf6–h7–g5, and rook lifts (...Rf7–g7) can generate significant kingside pressure for Black.
Notable Usage
The system fits the style of positional players who prize control: it was cultivated by Makagonov and Bondarevsky and later adopted successfully at high levels by players who wanted to reduce Black’s dynamic chances in the KID. It remains a common choice in elite practice when a side-step of heavy KID theory is desired while still playing for an edge.
Practical Tips
- Have a clear plan: If you play h3, be prepared to follow with d5 and queenside expansion; don’t drift.
- Watch the ...c5 break: Meet it with accurate timing—either d5 to close or c5 to open, depending on piece placement.
- Coordinate pieces: Knight maneuvers to g3 and d3 are often superior to rushes on the kingside that create targets.
- For Black: Don’t force ...f5. If the clamp is strong, pivot to ...c6/...d5 or queenside play with ...a5–a4 and ...Na6–c5.
Interesting Facts
- The line is frequently called simply the “Makagonov System,” but the full name credits Tartakower and Bondarevsky for their foundational and analytical contributions.
- Because it reduces forcing tactical lines, it’s a favorite in must-draw situations at the top level—yet it still leaves plenty of room to outplay an opponent strategically.
- The spelling “Makogonov” (with an “o”) is common in English transliteration; both spellings refer to the same system.