Opening for White · ECO D02, A46, A48
London System in chess
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4
Always the same structure, whatever Black plays. Little theory, clear plans: the ideal system to play 1.d4 without memorizing everything.
The ideas
White
- Develop the bishop to f4 before e3.
- Build the c3-d4-e3 chain.
- Attack the king with Ne5, Bd3, and sometimes h4.
Black
- Hit d4 with …c5.
- Target b2 with …Qb6.
- Trade the f4 bishop with …Bd6 or …Nh5.
Main variations
Against …d5 and …Nf6
2…Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3
The typical setup: c3-d4-e3, bishops on f4 and d3, knights on f3 and d2. White then plays Ne5 or e4.
Against …Nf6 and …g6
2…g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.h3 c5 7.c3
Against the fianchetto, White keeps the structure and prepares an h2 retreat for the bishop.
Against …c5 and …Qb6
2…c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.c3 Qb6 5.Qb3 c4 6.Qc2
Black’s most aggressive answer targets b2. White defends it simply with the queen.
By the numbers
White’s second move after 1.d4 d5
2.Bf4 is almost as popular as 2.Nf3. Only the Queen’s Gambit (2.c4) is clearly more common. Out of 275.4 million Lichess games.
Traps to know
The poisoned b2 pawn
Taking b2 too early exposes the black queen and leaves c7 undefended.
With White, 4.Nc3 sets the trap.
Other openings
Frequently asked questions
Is the London System good for beginners?
Yes. You almost always play the same moves, which leaves time to learn middlegame plans instead of theory.
Is the London too passive?
Not if you know the plans: Ne5, the h4 attack, or the e4 push. Magnus Carlsen has played it at the highest level.
What should I do against …c5 and …Qb6?
Defend b2 with Qb3 or Qc1, or play Nc3 to set the poisoned b2 pawn trap.