Makogonov System start
White controls g4 and keeps several setup choices open.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3
King's Indian Makogonov System: Adviser, Diagrams and Replay Lab
The King's Indian Makogonov System starts with 5.h3: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3. White stops ...Ng4, keeps the centre flexible, and chooses between Bg5, Be3, d5 and g4, while Black must counter with ...Na6, ...c5, ...e5, ...Qe8 or Benoni-style pressure.
Makogonov System quick map
This is White's 5.h3 anti-King's Indian system.
- Branch start:
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3. - White restraint:
h3 stops ...Ng4 and supports Be3 or Bg5. - White space plans:
d5 and g4. - Black counterplay:
...Na6, ...c5, ...e5 and ...Qe8.
Makogonov System Adviser
Choose your side, branch, problem and study time. The adviser points to the diagram or replay group that best fits the 5.h3 structure.
Key King's Indian Makogonov diagrams
These python-chess checked diagrams use final-move arrows from each displayed sequence: 5.h3, Bg5, ...Na6, ...c5, d5, Be3 and g4.
Bg5 setup
White uses Bg5 to disturb Black's normal development and central breaks.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Bg5
...Na6 counter
Black develops flexibly and prepares ...Nc5, ...c5 or ...e5 pressure.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Bg5 Na6
...c5 counter
Black attacks the centre before White's restraint becomes comfortable.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Bg5 c5
d5 space
White gains space, while Black seeks Benoni-style counterplay.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Bg5 c5 7.d5
Be3 setup
White supports d4 and keeps Qd2, g4 and d5 plans flexible.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3
kingside space
White uses h3 as a base for g4 when the centre is stable.
Example move sequence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3 O-O 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.g4
King's Indian Makogonov Replay Lab
The replay selector uses supplied Makogonov/h3 PGNs only, grouped by Bg5, Be3, ...Na6, ...c5/e6, ...Qe8, ...a6/...b5 and kingside-space structures.
Recommended first pass: Bareev vs Gelfand for the deep h3/Bg5 ...Na6 battle, Aronian vs Nakamura for modern ...c5/...b5 play, and Radjabov vs Morozevich for kingside space.
Makogonov System Branch Map
King's Indian Defence parent
This page is the 5.h3 Makogonov branch. Return to the King's Indian Defence page.
Averbakh comparison
If White uses Be2 and Bg5 without h3 first, compare the Averbakh Variation page.
Sämisch comparison
If White uses f3 and Be3, compare the Sämisch Variation page.
Four Pawns comparison
If White uses f4 and grabs maximum central space, compare the Four Pawns Attack page.
Study plan for White
- Learn why 5.h3 prevents ...Ng4 and keeps setup choices open.
- Compare Bg5, Be3, d5 and g4 plans against ...Na6 and ...c5.
- Use the Replay Lab to study one White squeeze and one Black counterplay win.
Study plan for Black
- Choose your counter before White's restraint becomes comfortable: ...Na6, ...c5, ...e5 or ...Qe8.
- Attack the centre before White combines h3, Bg5, d5 and g4.
- Use the Adviser to match your counterplay route to White's chosen setup.
King's Indian Makogonov System FAQ
King's Indian Makogonov System basics
What is the King's Indian Makogonov System?
The King's Indian Makogonov System is White's 5.h3 setup against the King's Indian Defence, designed to stop ...Ng4 and prepare Bg5, Be3, g4 or a slow central squeeze. Use the Makogonov System start diagram.
What is the exact move order of the Makogonov System?
A clean move order is 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.h3. Use the Makogonov System start diagram.
Why does White play h3 in the King's Indian?
White plays h3 to stop ...Ng4, support Be3 or Bg5, and prepare a slower space-gaining plan. Use the Makogonov System start diagram.
Is the Makogonov System part of the King's Indian Defence?
Yes. It is a major anti-King's Indian system based on h3 before White commits to Nf3, Be3, Bg5 or g4. Use the Branch Map.
What is White's main idea in the Makogonov System?
White wants to limit Black's standard kingside counterplay, build central space and choose between Bg5, Be3, d5 and g4 plans. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
What is Black's main idea against the Makogonov System?
Black must choose a clear counter: ...Na6, ...c5, ...e5, ...Qe8 or Benoni-style play before White's space becomes hard to challenge. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Is the Makogonov System sharp?
Yes. It can start as a slow restraint system, but Bg5, d5, g4 and ...c5/...e6 can lead to sharp play quickly. Use the Replay Lab.
Is the Makogonov System good for club players?
Yes, because 5.h3 is easy to remember and stops annoying ...Ng4 ideas, but the follow-up plan still matters. Use the diagram grid.
Main White setups
What is the Bg5 setup in the Makogonov System?
White plays Bg5 to pin or irritate Black's kingside development and make ...e5 or ...c5 less comfortable. Use the Bg5 setup diagram.
What is the Be3 setup in the Makogonov System?
White plays Be3 to support d4, prepare Qd2 or g4, and keep a strong central grip. Use the Be3 setup diagram.
What is the d5 space plan?
White plays d5 to gain space, restrict Black's pieces and force Black to find counterplay with ...e6, ...c6, ...a5 or ...Na6. Use the d5 space diagram.
What is the g4 plan?
White plays g4 when they want kingside space and can support the advance without weakening the centre too much. Use the kingside space diagram.
Why does White sometimes play Nf3 after h3?
Nf3 develops naturally once White has stopped ...Ng4 and is ready to support d5 or Be3. Use the Replay Lab's Nf3 games.
Why does White sometimes delay Nf3?
White delays Nf3 to keep f-pawn or g-pawn plans flexible and avoid normal King's Indian move-order targets. Use the Adviser with problem set to move order.
What is White's most practical Makogonov setup?
Bg5 and Be3 are the most practical setups because they are easy to connect with d5, Qd2 and kingside space. Use the Adviser.
How should White choose between Bg5 and Be3?
Choose Bg5 if you want to disturb Black's development; choose Be3 if you want a steadier centre and Qd2/g4 options. Use the diagram grid.
Main Black counters
What is Black's ...Na6 idea?
...Na6 is flexible: Black prepares ...Nc5, ...c5 or ...e5 without committing the c-pawn too early. Use the ...Na6 counter diagram.
What is Black's ...c5 idea?
...c5 attacks White's centre before the h3/Bg5 or h3/Be3 setup becomes too comfortable. Use the ...c5 counter diagram.
What happens after ...c5 and d5?
White gains space with d5, while Black tries to break the chain with ...e6, ...b5, ...Re8 or piece pressure. Use the d5 space diagram.
What is Black's ...e5 idea?
...e5 challenges White's centre directly and can lead to closed structures where both sides race on opposite wings. Use the Replay Lab.
What is Black's ...Qe8 idea?
...Qe8 supports ...e5, ...h6 or kingside pressure while keeping Black's central options flexible. Use the Replay Lab's ...Qe8 group.
What is Black's ...h6 idea against Bg5?
...h6 asks the Bg5 bishop to choose and may help Black expand with ...g5 later. Use the Bg5 setup diagram.
What is Black's ...b5 idea?
...b5 creates queenside counterplay, especially after White closes the centre with d5. Use the Replay Lab's ...a6 and ...b5 group.
Which Black counter is most practical?
...c5 and ...Na6 are the most practical because they attack White's space before White's slow plan becomes comfortable. Use the Adviser.
Plans for White
How should White play the Makogonov System?
White should use h3 as a useful waiting and control move, then choose Bg5, Be3, d5 or g4 based on Black's reply. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
When should White play Bg5?
White should play Bg5 when the pin or pressure makes Black's normal ...e5, ...c5 or ...h6 decisions awkward. Use the Bg5 setup diagram.
When should White play Be3?
White should play Be3 when they want a stable centre and flexible Qd2, g4, Nf3 or queenside plans. Use the Be3 setup diagram.
When should White play d5?
White should play d5 when the space gain restricts Black more than it gives Black fixed targets. Use the d5 space diagram.
When should White play g4?
White should play g4 when the centre is stable and the kingside space gain cannot be punished by a quick central break. Use the kingside space diagram.
What should White avoid in the Makogonov System?
White should avoid playing h3 and then drifting without a clear Bg5, Be3, d5 or g4 plan. Use the Adviser with problem set to plan choice.
What is White's biggest mistake?
White's biggest mistake is using h3 as a waiting move but then allowing Black's ...c5 or ...e5 counterplay for free. Use the ...c5 counter diagram.
How should White study the Makogonov System?
White should study one Bg5 game, one Be3 game, one ...c5/d5 game and one kingside g4 game. Use the Replay Lab optgroups.
Plans for Black
How should Black meet the Makogonov System?
Black should decide quickly between ...Na6, ...c5, ...e5, ...Qe8 or Benoni-style counterplay. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
When should Black play ...Na6?
Black should play ...Na6 when they want flexibility and can pressure c5, e4 or c7 routes later. Use the ...Na6 counter diagram.
When should Black play ...c5?
Black should play ...c5 when the centre must be challenged before White consolidates with Bg5, Be3 and d5. Use the ...c5 counter diagram.
When should Black play ...e5?
Black should play ...e5 when they can challenge the centre without allowing White a comfortable d5 bind. Use the Replay Lab's ...e5 games.
When should Black play ...Qe8?
Black should play ...Qe8 when they want to support ...e5 or kingside pressure while keeping options open. Use the Replay Lab's ...Qe8 group.
When should Black use Benoni-style play?
Black uses Benoni-style ...c5 and ...e6 structures when White's d5 space can be attacked dynamically. Use the ...c5 and d5 diagrams.
What is Black's biggest mistake?
Black's biggest mistake is letting White play h3, Bg5, d5 and g4 without a central counter. Use the Adviser with problem set to counterplay.
How should Black study the Makogonov System?
Black should study one ...Na6 model, one ...c5/e6 model, one ...Qe8 model and one Black counterattack win. Use the Replay Lab.
Replay Lab and model games
Which Makogonov replay should I watch first?
Start with Bareev vs Gelfand for a deep h3/Bg5 ...Na6 fight, then compare Aronian vs Nakamura for the modern ...c5 and ...b5 battle. Use the Replay Lab selector.
Which replay shows Bg5 systems?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Beliavsky vs Khalifman, Ponomariov vs Topalov, Aronian vs Radjabov, Aronian vs Nakamura, Svidler vs Radjabov and Svidler vs Nakamura show Bg5 systems. Use the Bg5 replay groups.
Which replay shows Be3 systems?
Radjabov vs Milov, Karpov vs Polgar, Karpov vs Anand, Bacrot vs Ding, Grischuk vs Ding, Eljanov vs Grischuk and Riazantsev vs Cheparinov show Be3 systems. Use the Be3 replay groups.
Which replay shows ...Na6 counterplay?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Radjabov vs Milov, Karpov vs Polgar, Karpov vs Anand, Morozevich vs Grischuk, Li Chao vs Rapport and several modern examples show ...Na6 systems. Use the ...Na6 replay group.
Which replay shows ...c5 and ...e6 structures?
Ponomariov vs Topalov, Morozevich vs Polgar, Kramnik vs Grischuk, Grischuk vs Ding, Aronian vs Nakamura, Eljanov vs Grischuk and Riazantsev vs Wang Hao show ...c5 and ...e6 structures. Use the ...c5/e6 replay groups.
Which replay shows kingside g4 or h4 play?
Radjabov vs Morozevich, Karpov vs Anand, Bacrot vs Ding, Morozevich vs Radjabov and Aronian vs Nakamura show g4 or h4 space themes. Use the kingside space replay group.
Which replay is best for White players?
Beliavsky vs Khalifman, Radjabov vs Milov, Karpov vs Polgar, Radjabov vs Morozevich, Morozevich vs Polgar, Aronian vs Radjabov, Bacrot vs Ding, Svidler vs Radjabov, Aronian vs Nakamura and Li Chao vs Rapport show White resources. Use the White-result replay groups.
Which replay is best for Black players?
Bareev vs Gelfand, Ponomariov vs Topalov, Karpov vs Anand, Morozevich vs Grischuk, Eljanov vs Grischuk, Kramnik vs Grischuk, Svidler vs Nakamura, Movsesian vs Ding, Riazantsev vs Wang Hao and Riazantsev vs Cheparinov show Black resources. Use the Black-result replay groups.
Practical repertoire choices
Should White play the Makogonov System?
White should play it if they want a flexible anti-King's Indian system that limits ...Ng4 and supports Bg5, Be3, d5 or g4 plans. Use the Adviser with side set to White.
Should Black fear the Makogonov System?
Black should respect it but not fear it. The key is not allowing White's slow plan without central counterplay. Use the Adviser with side set to Black.
Is the Makogonov System safer than the Four Pawns Attack?
Yes. Makogonov is usually safer because h3 controls squares first, while the Four Pawns Attack grabs space with f4 immediately. Use the Branch Map.
Is the Makogonov System more flexible than the Sämisch?
Yes. The Sämisch commits to f3 and Be3, while the Makogonov begins with h3 and keeps several setups available. Use the Branch Map.
Is the Makogonov System good in rapid and blitz?
Yes, because h3 is easy to remember and creates practical discomfort for Black's normal King's Indian plans. Use the Replay Lab.
What should I study after this page?
After this page, study the Averbakh Variation, Sämisch Variation, Four Pawns Attack, Classical Variation and Fianchetto Variation. Use the Branch Map links.
How should I use this page for training?
Use one diagram to learn 5.h3, one Adviser recommendation to choose a setup, and one Replay Lab group to see that setup in action. Use the Adviser first.
What is the fastest way to learn the Makogonov System?
Learn 5.h3, then compare Bg5, Be3, ...Na6, ...c5, d5 and g4 plans. Use the diagram grid first.
Next step
Use this page as the dedicated Makogonov System lab. Start with 5.h3, then compare Bg5, Be3, ...Na6, ...c5, d5 and g4 in the Replay Lab.
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