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1.Opening

London System

You play WhiteD02SystemBeginner

The same setup against almost anything: d4, Bf4, e3, c3, Nd2, Ngf3, Bd3. Low theory, solid, and very popular.

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nd2 e6 …

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vs ...d5 & ...c5: position after 8 moves8a7b6c5d4e3f2g1h
vs ...d5 & ...c5: position after 8 moves
2.Ideas

What the opening is about

Key ideas

  1. Get the dark-squared bishop to f4 BEFORE playing e3.
  2. Pawn pyramid c3–d4–e3 is rock solid.
  3. Bd3 + Ne5 + Qf3/Qh5 can turn into a kingside attack.
  4. If ...Bd6 challenges, Bg3 keeps the bishop.
3.Main line

Main line · 15 moves

vs ...d5 & ...c5

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Your moves Opponent
No. White Black1
d4Claims the center.
d5Black mirrors.
2
Bf4The London bishop: developed before e3 can lock it in.
Nf6Develops.
3
e3Solid support for d4; opens the f1 bishop.
c5The most testing reply: Black challenges d4.
After 3…c5
After 3…c5
No. White Black4
c3Reinforces d4, completing the c3–d4–e3 pyramid.
Nc6More pressure on d4.
5
Nd2Develops while supporting a future e4 — c3 is already taken by the pawn.
e6Opens the f8 bishop.
6
Ngf3Develops and covers e5 for a later Ne5.
Bd6Challenges the London bishop.
After 6…Bd6
After 6…Bd6
No. White Black7
Bg3Keeps the bishop. If ...Bxg3 hxg3, White gets a half-open h-file.
O-OBlack castles.
8
Bd3Aims at h7. The classic London setup is complete.
After 8.Bd3
After 8.Bd3
4.Play

Practice mode

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5.More

Articles about the London System

More 1.d4 openings