Grünfeld Defense: Makogonov Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
15,879 games: White 48.6% / Draw 7.3% / Black 44.1%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,3455,345 | ||
| 3,1953,195 | ||
| 2,1382,138 | ||
| 1,6381,638 | ||
| 1,3041,304 | ||
| 439439 | ||
| 282282 | ||
| 268268 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 9, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.08 The position is about equal
Best play: 6... Be6 7. c5 Nbd7 8. Bb2 Bg4 9. Be2 Bxf3 10. Bxf3 c6 11. O-O
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Grünfeld Defense: Makogonov Variation (ECO D94, Closed & Semi-Closed Games) is a variation of the Grünfeld Defense: Three Knights Variation, Burille Variation, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. e3 O-O 6. b4 (6 moves).
In 15,879 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.6%, Black 44.1% and 7.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 6…a5, in 34% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Grünfeld Defense: Makogonov Variation
6…Bg4 scores best for Black: 49.9%, with Black winning 46.2% and White 46.5% of 1,304 games. The most played, 6…a5, scores 47.0% in 5,345 games, and 6…dxc4 scores lowest: 45.8%. Stockfish's first choice is 6…Be6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Grünfeld Defense: Makogonov Variation (D94)”. Lichess data as of 9 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/grunfeld-defense-makogonov-variation