D02beginner

London System

A solid, easy-to-learn system where White develops the dark-squared bishop before playing e3. Great for beginners who want a reliable setup.

38%
White wins
33%
Draw
29%
Black wins

Main Line Moves

1.d4d52.Bf4Nf63.e3c54.c3Nc65.Nd2e66.Ngf3Bd67.Bg3O-O8.Bd3Qe79.Ne5Nd710.Ndf3f611.Nxd7Bxd712.Bxd6Qxd613.O-ORac814.Re1Rf715.e4dxe416.Bxe4Ne7
1.Opens with the queen pawn
2.Black mirrors the center
3.The London! Bishop before e3 is the key move order
4.Natural development
5.Supports d4 and completes the pawn structure
6.Black challenges the center

Key Ideas

  • 1Develop bishop to f4 before playing e3
  • 2Build a solid pyramid structure
  • 3Flexible - works against most Black setups
  • 4Simple plans with minimal theory required

Variations

Main Line

d4d5Bf4Nf6e3c5c3Nc6Nd2e6Ngf3Bd6Bg3O-OBd3b6Qe2Bb7

The standard setup with a solid center - plans h3, Ne5

Jobava London

d4d5Bf4Nf6Nc3e6e3c5Nb5Na6c3Bd6Bxd6Qxd6Qa4O-O

More aggressive with Nc3 instead of e3 - leads to sharper play

London vs King's Indian

d4Nf6Bf4g6e3Bg7Nf3O-OBe2d6O-ONbd7h3Qe8c3e5Bh2Nh5

Handling Black's fianchetto setup with a solid structure

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