London System: moves, ideas and plans

A system you can play against almost anything: the same setup, easy plans, no theory to memorise.

D02Play it as WhiteBeginner15 moves

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

Key ideas

• Bf4 comes out before e3 so it is not locked in.
• The pawn triangle c3–d4–e3 is very solid.
• Bd3, Nbd2 and castling, then play for e4.

The London System move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as D02 Queen's Pawn Game: London System.

1. 1. d4Centre.
2. 1… d5Symmetrical.
3. 2. Bf4The London bishop goes out before e3 closes its diagonal.
4. 2… Nf6Development.
5. 3. e3Supports d4 and frees the f1 bishop.
6. 3… e6Black builds a solid centre too.
7. 4. Nf3Natural.
8. 4… c5Black challenges d4, the typical plan.
9. 5. c3The London triangle: d4 stays rock-solid.
10. 5… Nc6More pressure on d4.
11. 6. Nbd2The knight goes to d2 to support e4 later and keep c3 for the pawn.
12. 6… Bd6Black offers to trade the good London bishop.
13. 7. Bg3White keeps the bishop; if ...Bxg3 then hxg3 opens the h-file.
14. 7… O-OBlack castles.
15. 8. Bd3The last piece; next castle and aim for e4 or Ne5.

More openings for White