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London System (D02)

London System is an opening for White. Level: Beginner. Main line: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3.

The main line, move by move

1. 1. d4: White takes the centre.
2. 1… d5: Black takes the centre.
3. 2. Bf4: The bishop comes out before e3, so it isn't shut in behind the pawns.
4. 2… Nf6: Black develops.
5. 3. e3: Now White plays e3: the bishop is already outside the pawn chain.
6. 3… e6: Black opens a path for the dark-squared bishop.
7. 4. Nf3: The knight develops.
8. 4… c5: Black challenges White's centre from the side.
9. 5. c3: White supports d4 and builds the London "pyramid" of pawns on c3, d4 and e3.
10. 5… Nc6: Black develops and adds pressure on d4.
11. 6. Nbd2: The knight goes to d2 to support the centre and keep c3 free for the pawn.
12. 6… Bd6: Black offers to trade off White's strong bishop.
13. 7. Bg3: White keeps the bishop by stepping back to g3.
14. 7… O-O: Black castles.
15. 8. Bd3: White develops the last minor piece. Castling comes next.

Ideas for White

Play the same set-up almost every game: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, Bd3, Nbd2 and castle. Then look for a kingside attack with Ne5 or a central break with e4.

Ideas for Black

Challenge the centre with ...c5, try to trade White's f4 bishop with ...Bd6, and watch for ...Qb6 attacking b2.

Typical plans

• White: Ne5, f4 and a kingside attack.
• White: e4 to open the centre when well developed.
• Black: ...Qb6 to hit b2, or ...cxd4 and queenside play.

Common mistakes

• Playing e3 before Bf4, which shuts the bishop in.
• Ignoring ...Qb6: the b2 pawn is often attacked early.
• Playing the same moves without looking at what the opponent threatens.

Variations

Against ...d5, Against the King's Indian set-up (...g6), Jobava London (Nc3).

Quick check

Why does White play Bf4 before e3 in the London System?

Answer: So the bishop isn't shut in behind the e3 pawn. If e3 comes first, the c1 bishop has no way out on that diagonal.

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