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Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Bf4/2...e6/3. e3/3...d5

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London System Main Line with 3. ...e6

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London System - Main Base Position
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black knightc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black kinge7 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 pawne5 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 white pawnf3 black kingg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 black kingd1 white queene1 white kingf1 white bishopg1 white knighth1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/3P1B2/4P3/PPP2PPP/RN1QKBNR w

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 d5

In the London System, White aims for a solid, flexible pawn structure and develops their dark-squared bishop early to f4.

When Black responds with 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6, they aim for:

  • A solid pawn chain in the center while also developing their pieces.
  • A straightforward setup that avoids complex theory, making it suitable for amateur players and those familiar with Queen's Gambit Declined structures.
  • Achieving a comfortable position and, rather than going for an immediate pawn break, they plan for one in the midgame, allowing for a more positional and strategic battle.

This setup can result in a closed game, and Black might look to expand on the queenside or prepare a central break with ...e5 or ...c5 later in the game. Overall, the setup is about achieving a solid position without entering into deep theoretical battles and also keeping options open for different plans based on how White proceeds.

Theory table

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

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6

4
Main line with e6 Nd2 =

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References

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Wikipedia has related information at London System

Bibliography

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  • Hellman, Kamryn (2023). The London System: This Opening Got Me to 1500.
  • Henley, Ron W. (2020). The London System - A Legendary Chess Opening For White.
  • Nakamura, Hikaru (2023). Learn the London with Hikaru.
  • Rozman, Levy (2020). Learn the London System -10-Minute Chess Openings.
  • Georgiev, Kiril (2017). Fighting the London System. Chess Stars. ISBN 978-6197188158.
  • Johnsen, Sverre; Kovačević, Vlatko (2005). Win with the London System (1st ed.). Gambit Publications. ISBN 978-1904600350.
  • Lakdawala, Cyrus (2010). Play the London System. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-857-44639-5.
  • Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.
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