London System
Learn the London System by playing the moves yourself. Start with the main line, practise the typical Bf4-e3-c3 setup, and train the replies you are most likely to face as White.
Best for: Beginners & club players · ECO D00 · First moves: 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6
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Position after the London System setup
Common replies
Standard lines you'll meet most of the time. Begin with the recommended main line, then work through the rest.
Main Line
The standard London structure - your foundation for every other London line.
The classic London setup: White builds a solid pyramid with pawns on c3, d4, e3 and develops knights behind them. A reliable, low-theory system that suits positional players.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5…
Anti-Grünfeld
How to handle Black's fianchetto setups without losing your bishop.
White deploys the London bishop early against Black's Grünfeld/KID setup. The h3 move prevents ...Nh5 ideas and maintains the strong bishop on f4, leading to a stable positional game.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5…
Accelerated London
A flexible move order that keeps the dxc5 option open.
White develops the knight to f3 before playing e3, maintaining flexibility. This move order can transpose into the main line but offers White the option of dxc5 in certain positions.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nf3 c5…
vs King's Indian
Neutralising the King's Indian without learning sharp theory.
White sets up the London structure against Black's King's Indian formation. The bishop on f4 controls the e5 square, discouraging Black's typical ...e5 break and leading to a restrained positional struggle.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. e3 Bg7…
vs Queen's Indian
Coping with the Queen's Indian and aiming for a quiet e4 break.
Against Black's Queen's Indian setup with ...b6 and ...Bb7, White develops solidly with Bd3 and Nbd2. White aims for e4 in the middlegame while maintaining a harmonious, hard-to-crack position.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 b6…
vs ...Bf5
Breaking symmetry with c4 and Qb3 to pressure b7.
Black mirrors the London bishop deployment with ...Bf5, neutralising White's main piece and aiming for a symmetrical structure. White typically responds with c4 and Qb3, putting pressure on the b7 pawn and challenging Black's solid setup.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 Bf5…
...Bd6 Trade
Handling the ...Bd6 challenge to preserve your London bishop.
Black plays ...Bd6 to challenge the London bishop directly, forcing White to choose between trading or retreating to g3. After Bg3, the bishops remain on the board but Black has clarified the central tension and prepared ...Re8 with ...e5 ideas.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6…
vs Dutch Defence
Exploiting the e5 outpost against the Dutch's weakened structure.
Against the Dutch (1...f5), the London bishop on f4 keeps a tight grip on the e5 square - precisely the central outpost Black wants to occupy. White develops naturally with Bd3, Nbd2, and aims to plant a knight on e5, exploiting the structural weakness Black created with ...f5.
1. d4 f5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6…
vs ...c6 Slav Setup
Breaking the Slav symmetry with c4 and Qb3 pressure.
Black plays the solid Slav-flavoured ...c6 and ...Bf5, mirroring White's setup with a rock-solid structure. White transitions to a Queen's Gambit hybrid with c4 and Qb3, putting the queenside pawn under pressure and challenging the symmetry.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c6…
Reti Move Order
Using 1.Nf3 to dodge anti-London weapons before transposing.
Starting with 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 sidesteps Black's anti-d4 weapons like the Albin Counter-Gambit and Chigorin Defence before transposing to a London with 3.Bf4. A practical move-order trick favoured by London specialists who want to limit Black's options.
1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5…
Against an Early ...c5
Holding the centre with c3 and Nd2 when Black strikes early.
Black hits the centre immediately with 2...c5. White supports d4 with c3, develops with Nd2 and Ngf3, and keeps a compact structure where the dark-squared bishop is already outside the pawn chain.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nc6…
Against the Fianchetto
A safe scheme against Black's kingside fianchetto.
Black fianchettoes and plays ...d5, a Grünfeld-style setup. White develops calmly, castles, and prepares c3 followed by a timely Ne5 or a queenside expansion with b4.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7…
Ne5 Outpost Plan
Setting up the e5 outpost that powers London kingside attacks.
The classic London attacking scheme: build the pyramid with e3, c3 and Bd3, then plant a knight on e5 supported by f4 or Nd2. From there White can pile up on the kingside with Qf3 and Rf3.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6…
Against the Modern Defence
Playing the London against flexible fianchetto defences.
Black plays ...g6 and ...d6 without committing the centre. White takes space, prevents ...Bg4 with h3, and builds the standard London structure before deciding between kingside play and central expansion.
1. d4 g6 2. Bf4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6…
Against ...Bb4+
Neutralising the ...Bb4+ disruption without losing structure.
Black tries to disrupt with an early check on b4. White blocks with Nbd2, keeps the bishop pair intact, and continues with e3, Bd3 and castling for a comfortable, familiar structure.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4 Bb4+…
Sharper options
More aggressive or off-beat lines. Add these once the main setup feels natural.
Jobava London
An aggressive Nc3+Bf4 setup that creates early tactical chances.
A more aggressive cousin of the London, combining Nc3 with Bf4 for faster piece activity. Named after GM Baadur Jobava, it creates early tactical tension and can catch opponents off guard.
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5…
Barry Attack
A quick e4 plan that takes opponents out of standard London theory.
White combines Bf4 with Nc3 and Qd3, aiming for a quick e4 break to seize the centre. The Barry Attack is a combative option that takes opponents out of standard London theory and creates early middlegame tension.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 g6 3. Nc3 d5…
Raptor Variation
An early h4 surprise weapon for kingside attacks.
A sharp sideline where White plays an early h4, launching an aggressive kingside advance before completing development. The Raptor catches opponents off guard and leads to unusual attacking positions rarely seen in standard London play.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5…
vs ...Qb6
Defending b2 and d4 against the testing ...Qb6 sortie.
Black's most challenging early reply: 4...Qb6 hits b2 and the d4 pawn simultaneously, forcing White to find an accurate response. The mainline 5.Nc3 Bd7 6.Na4 chases the queen and creates a sharp tactical battle around the queenside pawns.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nc6…
Pereyra Attack
Castling long and storming the kingside in a London setup.
An aggressive London variant: White develops with Nc3 instead of c3, plays Qd2 and castles long, aiming for a direct kingside pawn storm. The Pereyra trades positional solidity for opposite-side castling sharpness rarely seen in standard London play.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. Nc3 a6…
Against ...e6
Handling the bishop trade offer in Jobava London structures.
The Jobava London with Nc3 and Bf4 aims for a quick e4 or a kingside attack. Against ...e6 and ...Bd6 White retreats the bishop to g3 and keeps the tension, ready to meet ...c5 with a rapid build-up.
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6…
Against ...g6
Attacking the fianchetto with an early h4 pawn thrust.
When Black fianchettoes, the Jobava London hits fast with h4, targeting the weakened dark squares around the enemy king. Play stays sharp and White's attack is easy to handle in practical games.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. Bf4 d5…
Advanced hybrids
Structurally different lines for established players. Best learned after the main setup is automatic.
with c4
Hybrid London/Queen's Gambit play for more central space.
White grabs extra space with c4, blending the London bishop placement with Queen's Gambit-style central control. This hybrid approach offers more dynamic possibilities than the standard c3 setup while keeping the solid Bf4 structure.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6…
Mason Attack
A Stonewall-flavoured London for ambitious attacking play.
An early Bf4 is followed by f3, preparing a broad pawn centre with e4. The Mason Attack transforms the London into a more aggressive Stonewall-like structure, giving White attacking prospects on the kingside while maintaining solid central control.
1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5…
Modern Mainline
The Carlsen tabiya - keep the bishop safe on g3 before launching the kingside attack.
The elite London tabiya popularised by Magnus Carlsen: White retreats the bishop to g3 to keep it safe before placing it on d3 alongside Bxd6 trades. The Bg3 manoeuvre preserves the dark-squared bishop and supports a future kingside attack with Ne5 and h4-h5.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5…
vs Benoni
Advancing d5 to combine London piece play with Benoni space.
When Black plays an early ...c5 against the London, White can advance d5 to enter a Benoni-like structure with the bishop already developed on f4. The resulting position combines London piece placement with Benoni pawn dynamics, giving White a space advantage.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 c5 3. d5 b5…
Krause Variation
Pre-empting ...Bd6 with h3 and Bh2 to lock in the bishop pair.
White inserts an early h3 to support a Bh2 retreat, keeping the dark-squared bishop completely out of harm's way before any ...Bd6 challenge can land. The setup prepares Nbd2 and a slow, fortress-like build-up favoured by patient positional players.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 c5…
Carlsen h3 Setup
Removing Black's counterplay before committing to a plan.
Magnus Carlsen's preferred treatment: insert h3 early to guarantee a safe retreat for the bishop and take away every ...Nh5 or ...Bg4 resource. White then chooses between c4 expansion and the standard c3 plan.
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6…
Learn more about the London System
12 sections covering move order, plans, structures, who it suits, and more.
If you like the London System, try…
Hand-picked next steps to round out your repertoire.
Another opening for White
Ruy Lopez
The king of 1.e4 openings - White develops the bishop to b5, pressuring the knight that defends e5. A cornerstone of top-level chess, it leads to deep strategic battles from slow manoeuvring to explosive attacks.
Pair this with a defence as Black
King's Indian Defence
A hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre, then strikes back with ...e5 or ...c5. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 becomes a powerful long-range weapon.
Try next
Italian Game
One of the oldest and most natural openings, arising after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4. White develops the bishop to an aggressive diagonal targeting f7, leading to sharp tactical battles or slow strategic manoeuvring.
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