Made in IndiaLondon System
You play White. It starts 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4.
The London System is a set-up you can play against almost anything: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, Bd3 and Nbd2. It is solid, easy to learn and full of clear plans, which is why it is popular from club players to world champions.
The course is built from 30,488 games of the London System by strong players in Chess Castles' database: the lines below are the ones they really play, with the score White made in each.
The first moves, one by one
- 1.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1.
- 1...d5 It takes a centre square (d5). It opens a line for the bishop on c8. It opens a line for the queen on d8.
- 2.Bf4 It develops the bishop into the game. It controls the centre (e5).
Against 1...d5
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
Move by move
Plans for White
- Build the pyramid: Bf4, e3, c3, Nf3, Bd3, Nbd2 and castle. The bishop on f4 stays outside the pawn chain.
- Then Ne5 with f4, or a timely e4, gives you the initiative.
- Watch out: If Black plays ...c5 and ...Qb6, b2 is attacked: answer with Qb3 or Qc1.
Against 1...Nf6
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4
Move by move
Plans for White
- Against 1...Nf6 the same set-up works; Nf3 and e3 come before c3.
- Keep h3 in mind: it gives the f4 bishop a safe retreat on h2 when Black plays ...Nh5.
Against the King's Indian set-up
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6
Move by move
- 2...g6
Plans for White
- Against a King's Indian set-up (...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6) play e3, Be2, O-O and h3, and stop ...e5 with your pieces.
- If Black gets ...e5 in, exchange on e5 and use the open d-file.
Other replies
- The London plan stays the same against everything: the pyramid first, then a plan in the centre.
- Do not rush: a solid position and a calm attack win London games.
How each line scores
| Line | Moves | Games | White scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3...c5 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 | 3,140 | 47% |
| 4...O-O · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 O-O | 2,665 | 50% |
| 3...e6 · London System, with e6 | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 | 2,351 | 56% |
| 3...c5 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 c5 | 2,037 | 50% |
| 4...d6 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 d6 | 1,829 | 47% |
| 3...b6 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 b6 | 1,572 | 48% |
| 4...c5 · London System, with e6 | 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 c5 | 1,545 | 56% |
| 4...Bd6 · London System, with e6 | 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 Bd6 | 1,391 | 56% |
| 3...c6 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c6 | 794 | 56% |
| 2...Nc6 · Chigorin Variation | 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nc6 | 760 | 56% |
| 2...c6 · Zukertort Variation | 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c6 | 658 | 53% |
| 2...e6 · Zukertort Variation | 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 | 657 | 56% |
| 1...g6 · Modern Defense | 1.d4 g6 | 602 | 42% |
| 1...f5 · Dutch Defense | 1.d4 f5 | 518 | 54% |
| 4...Nc6 · London System | 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 | 472 | 54% |
| 1...d6 · Queen's Pawn Game | 1.d4 d6 | 464 | 38% |
| 3...Bf5 · London System | 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 Bf5 | 429 | 51% |
| 4...b6 · London System | 1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 b6 | 391 | 57% |
The score counts a win as 1 and a draw as ½, from White's side, in games between strong players.
On the board: the course (plans, model games, puzzles from real games of the opening), and the opening trainer, which drills the moves until you know them (a free account keeps your progress).
More openings: Caro-Kann Defence, Jobava London, Chebanenko Slav, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Queen's Gambit, Sicilian Najdorf, French Defence, King's Indian Defence, Queen's Gambit Declined.