London System

1. d4White controls the center with d4.
2. d5Black mirrors with d5.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3 — a key London move, preparing the bishop development.
4. Nf6Black develops Nf6 naturally.
5. Bf4The defining London move — Bf4 develops the bishop before the e-pawn closes it in. This is the move that defines the system.
6. e6Black plays e6, solidifying the center. This is the most classical response.
7. e3White plays e3, completing the pawn triangle. Now White will develop the f1 bishop.
8. Bd6Black develops Bd6, directly challenging White's bishop.
9. Bxd6White trades bishops on d6. The trade removes a key defender but Black's queen is now centralized.
10. Qxd6Black recaptures with the queen, centralizing it. The queen on d6 is active and eyes the kingside.
11. Nbd2White develops Nbd2, keeping the c-file semi-open and preparing Bd3.
12. O-OBlack castles, putting the king to safety.
13. Bd3White develops Bd3, the ideal square for this bishop in the London. It eyes h7.
14. c5Black plays c5, the thematic counter. Black challenges White's center and opens queenside play.

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.

1. d4White plays d4, establishing the central pawn and preparing the London System setup.
2. Nf6Black develops Nf6, the King's Indian approach — fighting for e4 hypermodernly without committing pawns.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3, the second London move, preparing to place the bishop on f4.
4. g6Black plays g6, committing to the King's Indian fianchetto setup.
5. Bf4White plays Bf4, the defining London move — the bishop is developed to f4 before e3 closes it in. This is what makes the system unique.
6. Bg7Black plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto. The King's Indian bishop eyes White's d4 pawn indirectly.
7. e3White plays e3, completing the London triangle (d4-Nf3-Bf4-e3). The position is solid and flexible.
8. O-OBlack castles, tucking the king behind the fianchettoed bishop.
9. Be2White plays Be2, developing the remaining bishop and preparing to castle.
10. d6Black plays d6, preparing the thematic ...e5 King's Indian counterattack.
11. O-OWhite castles, completing development.
12. Nbd7Black develops Nbd7, preparing ...e5 and keeping the c6 square available. The knight will support the e5 advance.
13. h3White plays h3, a key prophylactic move — preventing ...Ng4 which would pressure the f2 square and trade off White's light-squared bishop.

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.

1. d4White plays d4, establishing the center.
2. Nf6Black develops Nf6, counterattacking e4 and fighting for the center with pieces.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3, a natural developing move that also prepares the Bg5 pin.
4. e6Black plays e6, solidifying the center and preparing to develop the dark-squared bishop.
5. Bg5White plays Bg5, the Torre Attack — pinning the f6 knight. This creates immediate pressure and prevents easy ...d5 support.
6. d5Black plays d5, challenging the center despite the pin. The knight is not actually in danger here.
7. e3White plays e3, a solid move that prepares the f1 bishop development.
8. Be7Black develops Be7, breaking the pin gracefully and preparing to castle.
9. Nbd2White develops Nbd2, a key Torre move — the knight supports the center without blocking the c-file, allowing c3 or c4 later.
10. O-OBlack castles, completing kingside development.
11. Bd3White develops Bd3, the ideal square — it eyes h7 and prepares a potential kingside attack.
12. c5Black plays c5, the thematic counter — striking at d4 and opening queenside play.
13. c3White plays c3, solidifying d4 and preparing for a possible kingside attack with Qe2 and e4.

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.

1. d4White plays d4, establishing a central pawn.
2. Nf6Black develops Nf6, the hypermodern approach — contesting e4 with a piece rather than a pawn.
3. Nf3White develops Nf3.
4. g6Black plays g6, preparing the King's Indian fianchetto.
5. Nc3White plays Nc3, the Barry Attack's distinguishing move — developing the knight before the bishop. This is more aggressive than the standard London.
6. d5Black 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.
7. Bf4White plays Bf4, the London bishop — now developed after the knight, keeping options flexible.
8. Bg7Black plays Bg7, completing the fianchetto.
9. e3White plays e3, solidifying the center.
10. O-OBlack castles, completing kingside development.
11. Be2White develops Be2, a solid move preparing to castle.
12. c6Black plays c6, solidifying the d5 pawn and preparing ...Nbd7 or ...Na6 development.
13. O-OWhite castles, completing development. With all pieces developed, White is ready to strike with Ne5 or e4 to open the center.