Don Chess

Learn the London System

One setup for (almost) everything: you play the same moves whatever Black does. Little to learn, a safe position – a favourite of many grandmasters.

You play with White. How you learn it with Don Chess: watch first, then play it with an arrow, then from memory – with spaced repetition until it sticks. Free, no sign-up.

Train the London System now →

The main line

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3

D02 · Queen's Pawn Game: London System

The position after the main line

The moves explained

Why is each move played? The explanations come from the opening trainer – there you play the moves yourself afterwards.

1.d4 Occupies the centre with a pawn on d4.
1…d5 Occupies the centre with a pawn on d5.
2.Bf4 Develops the bishop to f4 – pieces out first, then attack.
2…Nf6 Develops the knight to f6 – pieces out first, then attack.
3.e3 Supports the pawn on d4 – the centre stands firm.
3…e6 Supports the pawn on d5 – the centre stands firm.
4.Nf3 Develops the knight to f3 – pieces out first, then attack.
4…c5 Attacks the pawn on d4 – the fight for the centre begins.
5.c3 Supports the pawn on d4 – the centre stands firm.
5…Nc6 Develops the knight to c6 – pieces out first, then attack.
6.Nbd2 Develops the knight to d2 – pieces out first, then attack.
6…Bd6 Develops the bishop to d6 – pieces out first, then attack.
7.Bg3 The bishop was attacked and goes to safety on g3.
7…O-O Castles: the king is safe and the rook joins the game.
8.Bd3 Develops the bishop to d3 – pieces out first, then attack.

Idea and plans

The idea

White always sets up the same way: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, Bd3 and Nbd2 – solid and easy to learn.

Plan for White

A stable centre, a knight to e5 and later a kingside attack (Qc2/Qf3, h4, g4).

Plan for Black

Press on b2 and d4 with …c5 and …Qb6, or trade the f4 bishop with …Nh5 or …Bd6.

Tip

Against an early …c5 and …Qb6, check whether b2 is hanging before playing on.

The 10 lines in the course

Grey: the moves shared with the main line. Bold: the move where the line leaves it.

Queen's Pawn Game: London System D02Main line
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit D00
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 2…c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.c3 Nf6 5.Nd2 Qb6 6.Qb3 c4 7.Qc2
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System D00
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 3…Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3
London System, with Be2 A48
1.d4 1…Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.h3
Indian Defense: Accelerated London System A45
1.d4 1…Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nd2
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit D00
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 2…c5 3.e3 Qb6 4.Qc1 Nc6 5.c3 Bf5 6.Nd2 e6 7.Ngf3
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System D00
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 2…Bf5 3.e3 e6 4.c4 Bb4+ 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Qb3
Indian Defense: Accelerated London System A45
1.d4 1…Nf6 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 cxd4 4.exd4 d5 5.c3 Nc6 6.Nd2
Horwitz Defense A40
1.d4 1…e6 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.c3 d5 5.Nd2 Bd6 6.Bg3
Dutch Defense A80
1.d4 1…f5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 Be7 5.Bd3 O-O 6.O-O