London System
The internet's favourite opening: Bf4, e3, c3, Nbd2 — a low-theory system where the plans matter more than the moves. White attacks on the kingside while Black expands on the other wing; understanding beats memorisation every time.
If you want an opening that fights from the very first moves, London System is a superb candidate — principled, sharp and endlessly instructive.
After 7.Bg3 the position resolves into a tense centre: the central pawns still face each other, and the timing and manner of the coming exchange shapes the whole middlegame.
The moves
After 7. Bg3 — London System main line
Position breakdown
A factual read of the position after the main line — the files, the centre, the pawn structure and king safety that decide how the middlegame is played. These are computed from the actual board, not generic advice.
Files
Centre control
Tense centre
The d4/d5/e4/e5 squares — who occupies the centre decides how open the game becomes.
Pawn skeleton
Pawns only — the structure that explains every open file and majority at a glance.
Material level
Queenside pawns 3–3
Kingside pawns 3–3
Development
2 knights & dark-squared bishop active
2 knights & dark-squared bishop active
King safety
White king e1
Uncastled — take care
Black king e8
Uncastled — take care
Computed from the final position of the main line above — 13 plies, black to move.
Strategic ideas
Ideas for White
Build the perfect pyramid — Bf4, e3, c3, Nbd2, Bd3,the Ne5 outpost and Qf3/h4-h5 storms at the right moment.
Ideas for Black
Hit the centre with ...c5, trade the Bf4 with ...with ...Nh5 tricks, and counterattack on the queenside with ...Qb6 pressure.
Main variations (6)
London, Main Setup
D02The full pyramid: solid development before Ne5 and the kingside build-up.
London vs ...c5 Strike
D02The ...Qb6 pressure: hitting b2 and d4 while White consolidates.
London vs ...Bf5 Setup
D02The Qb3 probe against b7 when the light bishop leaves home.
London, 2...e6 setups
D02The QID-hybrid: ...b6/...Bb7 fianchetto against the Bf4 setup.
Jobava London
D02Jobava's explosive version: Nc3/Bf4 with immediate kingside ambitions.
Jobava London Main
D02The Nb5! trick:hitting c6 and c7 with tempo.
Plans & pawn structures
- 1The central tension is the key decision: releasing it too early hands the opponent a free tempo and a target, so keep it until a capture wins a file, a diagonal or a clear structural edge.
- 2Develop with a purpose: connect the pieces to a concrete plan (a break, a target square, an outpost) instead of making automatic moves.
- 3Trade correctly: before every exchange ask which piece benefits from the resulting square colours and pawn structure.
Typical middlegame structures
The main line leads to a tense centre: the central pawns still face each other, and the timing and manner of the coming exchange shapes the whole middlegame. No files have opened yet, so this is a manoeuvring struggle: improve your pieces and prepare the pawn break that will open the position on your terms.
Traps & tactical motifs
The ...Qb6/...Nh5 tricareless early moves lose the bishop pair.
How to Play Against the London System
- As Black, resolve the central tension on your terms: force the exchange that gives you the better structure rather than letting the opponent choose the moment.
Study plan & who it's for
Very easy to learn and hard to hate: clear development schemes, natural moves and forgiving structures make this a superb first choice for White players.
Play through the main line above until the piece setup feels natural.
Learn the two or three critical pawn breaks for both sides.
Drill one variation at a time — always connecting moves to plans.