The London System in five ideas
A system you can play against almost anything, and the five ideas that hold it together.
1 min read
The London System is popular for a practical reason: White can set up the same way against almost any Black defence. That makes it quick to learn, but only if you understand the ideas that hold the set-up together.
1. The bishop comes out first
After 1.d4, White develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 early, before playing e3. Once the e-pawn moves, the bishop would otherwise be shut inside the pawn chain.
2. The pawn triangle
Pawns on c3, d4 and e3 form a solid triangle. It gives Black no easy target and keeps the d4-pawn protected whatever happens in the centre.
3. A home for the knights
The knights usually go to f3 and d2. From there the f3-knight can jump to e5, a strong outpost supported by the d4-pawn, and the d2-knight keeps an eye on e4.
4. Keep the bishop
Black often tries to trade off the f4-bishop with …Nh5 or …Bd6. A well-timed h3, or retreating the bishop to g3, keeps White’s best minor piece on the board.
5. Then attack
With the bishop on d3 and the knight on e5, White’s pieces point at the black king. Many London games are decided by a kingside attack that grew naturally out of this set-up.
Open the London System in TheoryChess, train its main lines against the engine, then take a quiz to see which of them have stuck.