Against the London System
You play Black · 6 variations
Mixed practice
The machine picks a different variation every time.
Take a quiz
10 positions: find the next theory move in each. No take-backs, no hints.
Main variations · 5
- London SystemD021. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nbd2 e6 6. c36 moves
- London System, Pterodactyl VariationD021. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Bf4 c5 4. c3 cxd4 5. cxd4 Qa5+5 moves
- London System, with Be2A481. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. h3 c5 6. Be26 moves
- London System, with Be2A481. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Be2 O-O5 moves
- London System, with Bd3A481. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Bd35 moves
Other variations · 1
How to play against the London System
The London System is White's set-up with d4, an early Bf4, e3, c3, Nf3, Nbd2 and Bd3, reached by moves such as 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4. It is solid, easy to learn and very popular at club level, because White can play almost the same moves against everything. Meeting it as Black means not drifting into a symmetrical position where White's plan of Ne5 and a kingside attack plays itself. The good news is that the early bishop on f4 leaves b2 without its defender, and a London player who knows only the moves, not the ideas, can be put under real pressure.
Main ideas and plans
The most direct antidote is quick counterplay against d4 and b2 with ...c5, ...Nc6 and ...Qb6. A common line is 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nd2 Qb6, which asks White to defend b2 with Qb3 or Qc1. In the Poisoned Pawn Variation, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Qb6 5.Nc3, White offers the b2 pawn; taking it is risky because Nb5 and Rb1 can chase the queen, so grab only if you have checked the lines. Other useful ideas are ...Bd6 to challenge the f4 bishop, or ...Nh5 to hunt it when it has no good retreat.
A second approach is to change the structure. With a King's Indian set-up of ...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6 and ...e5, the bishop on f4 hits a wall and White's usual plans lose their point. The Pterodactyl line, 1.d4 g6 2.Nf3 Bg7 3.Bf4 c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 Qa5+, attacks the center at once and forces White to block awkwardly. Whatever you choose, meet an early Ne5 by trading it with ...Nxe5 or ...Nd7, and keep your counterplay on the queenside and against d4.
Who is it for?
This plan is for anyone who regularly faces the London, which at club level means most players who answer 1.d4. The ...c5 and ...Qb6 approach suits players who want a clear, active plan; the King's Indian and Pterodactyl set-ups suit those who want unbalanced play. The risk is overpressing: an early queen sortie loses time if White meets it calmly. Learn the ...Qb6 idea against b2 first, and watch for the moment White's bishop leaves c1, because that is when the queenside becomes your target.