E71

King's Indian Defense: Makogonov Variation

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Nf3

The Classical System is the main line of the King's Indian. White develops naturally and the battle centres on whether Black can successfully execute the ...e5 break. The resulting middlegames feature some of the most dramatic attacking play in chess.

History & Notable Players

The Classical KID has produced some of the most famous games in history, including many Kasparov brilliancies.

Best Games

Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
82nd Tata Steel GpA • 2020★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
10th London Classic 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
5th Sinquefield Cup 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
Sinquefield Cup 2013 • 2013★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Radjabov,T1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Grischuk,A0-1
20th Amber Rapid • 2011★ Notable
Gyimesi,Z vs Shirov,A0-1
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Polgar, Judit1/2-1/2
VAM Hoogeveen 2nd • 1998★ Notable
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Caruana,F1-0
chess.com SpeedChess 2025 • 2025
Duda,J vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Titled Tue 25th Feb Late • 2025
Shirov,A vs Maksimovic,Bojan1-0
45th Olympiad 2024 • 2024
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Rapport,R0-1
6th Prague Masters 2024 • 2024
Robson,R vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2023 • 2023
Duda,J vs Carlsen,M1-0
Aimchess Rapid KO • 2022
Gukesh,D vs Rapport,R1-0
Aimchess Rapid Prelim • 2022
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Sadhwani,Raunak1/2-1/2
Tata Steel India Blitz • 2021
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Mamedov,Rau1-0
Lindores Abbey Tal Mem • 2021
Caruana,F vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
Chessable Masters GpB • 2020
Firouzja,Alireza vs Ivic,Velimir1-0
World Youth U16 Olympiad • 2018
Caruana,F vs Adhiban,Baskaran1/2-1/2
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018

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