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London System

1.d4

A solid setup for White with d4, Bf4, e3, c3 and Nbd2 that can be played against almost anything Black does.

Fun fact: The London System takes its name from its appearance on seven occasions in the very strong London tournament of 1922. Source

Practice this opening

The idea

The London is a system rather than a sequence of forced moves. White plays d4, develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 before playing e3, so it isn't shut in, and then builds a solid pyramid with e3 and c3, with Nf3, Nbd2 and Bd3. h3 is often added so the bishop on f4 can drop back to h2.

Black has many ways to meet it. The main ones are a Queen's Gambit Declined-style setup with ...d5, ...e6 and ...c5, an early ...c5 with ...Qb6 against b2, and a King's Indian setup with ...g6.

Plans for White

Get the setup in quickly and castle kingside. Then look for Ne5, supported by the knight on d2 and the bishop on f4, often followed by a kingside attack with Qf3 or Qh5, or play in the center with e4.

Many players today play 2.Bf4 before Nf3, to avoid some lines where an early ...c5 is strong.

Plans for Black

Challenge the bishop on f4 with ...Bd6 or ...Nh5, hit d4 with ...c5, and use ...Qb6 against White's b2 pawn, which the bishop on f4 no longer protects. Black can also aim for a quick ...e5 in King's Indian setups.

Watch out for

For White, the b2 pawn. Once the bishop leaves c1, b2 is protected only by pieces, and ...Qb6 attacks it together with d4. Have Qb3, Qc2 or Qc1 ready.

For Black, a slow game. If Black just copies White's development, White gets Ne5 and a kingside attack for free.

History

James Mason was the first master-level player to regularly employ the London System. In modern times it has been played at the very top: Ding Liren won game 6 of the 2023 World Championship against Ian Nepomniachtchi with it.

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