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Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Nf3/2...e6/3. Bf4

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London System Indian Setup with Early 2. Nf3
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black kingh8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black pawne7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black kinge6 black pawnf6 black knightg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 black kingd4 white pawne4 black kingf4 white bishopg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white knightg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 white pawnf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 black kingd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 black kingh1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/3P1B2/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R b

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4

London System Indian Setup with a Early 2. Nf3

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The London System has evolved significantly since its showcase in the 1922 London tournament. A prominent shift in modern play is the preference for 2.Bf4 instead of the traditional 2.Nf3. Both sides have seen strategic advancements in the London System.

The move order with 2. Nf3 before 3. Bf4 in the London System can be seen as a more flexible way to reach the London System and has its specific advantages and drawbacks.

For a general introduction to the London System, take a closer look at 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4

Advantages:

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  1. Flexibility: By playing 2. Nf3 first, White keeps more options open. This can be particularly useful if Black opts for setups that may not be best met with the traditional London System. For instance, White can divert into other openings or setups based on Black's moves.
  2. Control over e5: Central control, particularly over the e5 and e4 squares, is vital in the London System. The move 2. Nf3 immediately prevents any potential pawn break with ...e5 by Black.
  3. Avoiding Immediate Pressure: Certain move orders by Black might put immediate pressure on the d4 pawn (like ...c5 and ...Qb6 setups). The knight on f3 provides additional support to the d4 pawn.

Drawbacks:

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  1. Delaying the London System's Set-up: The very essence of the London System is rapid and harmonious development, particularly the dark-squared bishop. By playing 2. Nf3 first, White is essentially delaying the typical London setup. By shifting the knight from f3 to d4, White diminishes their hold on the e5 square.
  2. When White plays 2.Nf3, it can prompt Black to opt for 2...c5 because the subsequent 3.Bf4 can be met by 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nd7.
  3. Allowing Black's Equalizing Attempts: Black might employ certain systems that challenge White's center more directly before White can establish the typical London System setup.
  4. Potential Transpositions: The move 2. Nf3 allows various transpositions into other openings, which could be a disadvantage if the White player is specifically aiming to play the London System and avoid other lines.

Theory table

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For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4

3 4 56
London System
Main Line with c5 		Bf4
d5		 e3
c5		 c3
Nc6		 Nd2=
London System Transposition
Main Line with c5		 ...
c5		e3
d5
Queen's Indian
London System Setup		 ...
b6		 c4
=

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Wikipedia has related information at London System

References

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  • Sedice, Shaun (2022). The London System – Play the Opening as White & Black. chessable.com.
  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
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