London System
The London System is a solid, low-theory opening for White based on 1.d4 2.Nf3 3.Bf4, placing the bishop outside the pawn chain before playing e3. The London avoids the heavy theory of mainline 1.d4 openings and has become enormously popular at all levels due to its practical reliability — White can use the same setup against almost any Black response.
Main Line
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Bxd6 Qxd6 6.Nbd2 O-O 7.Bd3 c5
White controls the center with d4.
Black mirrors with d5.
White develops Nf3 — a key London move, preparing the bishop development.
Black develops Nf6 naturally.
The defining London move — Bf4 develops the bishop before the e-pawn closes it in. This is the move that defines the system.
Black plays e6, solidifying the center. This is the most classical response.
White plays e3, completing the pawn triangle. Now White will develop the f1 bishop.
Black develops Bd6, directly challenging White's bishop.
White trades bishops on d6. The trade removes a key defender but Black's queen is now centralized.
Black recaptures with the queen, centralizing it. The queen on d6 is active and eyes the kingside.
White develops Nbd2, keeping the c-file semi-open and preparing Bd3.
Black castles, putting the king to safety.
White develops Bd3, the ideal square for this bishop in the London. It eyes h7.
Black plays c5, the thematic counter. Black challenges White's center and opens queenside play.
Key Ideas
- The London bishop on f4 controls the dark squares and limits Black's kingside piece activity — trade it only for good reason.
- White's pawn structure (c2-d4-e3) is very solid. The plan is to expand slowly with c4 or push e4 to open the center.
- Black's typical counter is ...c5 — White should be ready with either dxc5, c3, or c4 to fight back.
- The bishop on d3 eyes h7 — when the queen comes to e2 or c2, a potential Bxh7+ sacrifice can be threatened.
- White should consider castling queenside in some lines and launching a kingside pawn storm with h4-h5.
- The London is a system, not a weapon — White plays the same moves regardless of Black's setup, making it very practical.
Variations
London vs King's Indian
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.O-O Nbd7 7.h3
When Black fianchettoes, White continues with the London setup. The h3 move prevents ...Ng4 and gives the bishop a retreat. White plans to expand with c4 or maintain a solid center.
White plays d4, establishing the central pawn and preparing the London System setup.
Black develops Nf6, the King's Indian approach — fighting for e4 hypermodernly without committing pawns.
White develops Nf3, the second London move, preparing to place the bishop on f4.
Black plays g6, committing to the King's Indian fianchetto setup.
White plays Bf4, the defining London move — the bishop is developed to f4 before e3 closes it in. This is what makes the system unique.
Black plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto. The King's Indian bishop eyes White's d4 pawn indirectly.
White plays e3, completing the London triangle (d4-Nf3-Bf4-e3). The position is solid and flexible.
Black castles, tucking the king behind the fianchettoed bishop.
White plays Be2, developing the remaining bishop and preparing to castle.
Black plays d6, preparing the thematic ...e5 King's Indian counterattack.
White castles, completing development.
Black develops Nbd7, preparing ...e5 and keeping the c6 square available. The knight will support the e5 advance.
White plays h3, a key prophylactic move — preventing ...Ng4 which would pressure the f2 square and trade off White's light-squared bishop.
Torre Attack
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bg5 d5 4.e3 Be7 5.Nbd2 O-O 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3
Related to the London but with the bishop going to g5. The Torre Attack pins the knight and prepares Qd2. White can also play more quietly with e3 and Bd3. Another system-based approach avoiding heavy theory.
White plays d4, establishing the center.
Black develops Nf6, counterattacking e4 and fighting for the center with pieces.
White develops Nf3, a natural developing move that also prepares the Bg5 pin.
Black plays e6, solidifying the center and preparing to develop the dark-squared bishop.
White plays Bg5, the Torre Attack — pinning the f6 knight. This creates immediate pressure and prevents easy ...d5 support.
Black plays d5, challenging the center despite the pin. The knight is not actually in danger here.
White plays e3, a solid move that prepares the f1 bishop development.
Black develops Be7, breaking the pin gracefully and preparing to castle.
White develops Nbd2, a key Torre move — the knight supports the center without blocking the c-file, allowing c3 or c4 later.
Black castles, completing kingside development.
White develops Bd3, the ideal square — it eyes h7 and prepares a potential kingside attack.
Black plays c5, the thematic counter — striking at d4 and opening queenside play.
White plays c3, solidifying d4 and preparing for a possible kingside attack with Qe2 and e4.
Barry Attack
Moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.e3 O-O 6.Be2 c6 7.O-O
White plays Nc3 early before developing the bishop, a slight variation from the standard London. The Barry Attack is aggressive and tries to exploit Black's King's Indian setup.
White plays d4, establishing a central pawn.
Black develops Nf6, the hypermodern approach — contesting e4 with a piece rather than a pawn.
White develops Nf3.
Black plays g6, preparing the King's Indian fianchetto.
White plays Nc3, the Barry Attack's distinguishing move — developing the knight before the bishop. This is more aggressive than the standard London.
Black plays d5, striking the center directly. This is an unusual choice against the Barry — Black fights for center space instead of allowing White free play.
White plays Bf4, the London bishop — now developed after the knight, keeping options flexible.
Black plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto.
White plays e3, solidifying the center.
Black castles, completing kingside development.
White develops Be2, a solid move preparing to castle.
Black plays c6, solidifying the d5 pawn and preparing ...Nbd7 or ...Na6 development.
White castles, completing development. With all pieces developed, White is ready to strike with Ne5 or e4 to open the center.