Opening guide · White, 1.d4

How to play the London System

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4

The London System puts the dark-squared bishop on f4 before e3, then builds the c3-d4-e3 pyramid. The same setup works against almost every Black reply, so you learn plans rather than long move orders.

Learn the first lineSee the full course
Lines to play
5
Trap
1
Quiz positions
5

Learn the London System move by move

You play White. Each move is explained before you play it, with an arrow on the board; then you play the line from memory. When the course has more than one good move, every one of them counts.

Key ideas

Bf4 before e3

Develop the bishop outside the pawn chain first. After e3 it would be locked in, the problem the London solves.

The pyramid

Pawns on c3, d4 and e3 make a centre Black can hardly break. Nbd2, Bd3 and castling follow almost always.

The e5-outpost

With the bishop on f4 and the knight on f3, Ne5 becomes a strong square, often backed by f4 for a kingside attack.

Know the early tries

...c5 with ...Qb6 attacks b2, ...Bd6 challenges the bishop, and the King’s Indian setup aims for ...e5. Each has a simple answer in the course.

The main lines

  1. Against ...e6 and ...Bd6

    1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 Bd6 5.Nbd2 c5 6.c3

    Black challenges the bishop. White keeps the grip with Nbd2 and c3.

  2. Against ...c5 and ...Nc6

    1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 e6

    The most active setup. White completes development and keeps d4 supported.

  3. Against the ...Qb6 raid

    1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Qb6 5.Nc3 Bd7

    Black attacks b2. Nc3 defends by development and eyes b5.

  4. Against the King’s Indian setup

    1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.c3 O-O 5.Nbd2 d6

    White builds a broad centre with c3 and Nbd2, ready for e4.

  5. Against ...c6 and ...Bf5

    1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c6 4.e3 Bf5 5.c4 e6

    When Black copies the bishop move, c4 turns the game into a Slav where b7 is weak.

A trap to know

Short tactical shots that come out of these moves. More in the chess traps collection.

Englund Gambit: never 6.Bc3?

After 1.d4 e5 the Englund hides a queen mate on c1. Know it before you meet it.

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Step through the line with the arrows.

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Find the move

5 positions from the main lines, each with its idea. Your first try counts.

Position 1 of 5

1.d4 d5

The ideaThe course develops the knight first, then the bishop.

Find the move for White.

Common mistakes

Playing e3 before Bf4

Then the bishop stays behind the pawns. Keep the order: Bf4 first.

Ignoring ...Qb6

b2 really hangs in many lines. Nc3, Qc1 or Qb3 are the usual answers, depending on the position.

Playing the same moves against everything

The setup is universal, the plans are not. Against ...c5 and ...Nc6, for example, the timing of c3 and dxc5 matters.

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn the London System?

Play it, one move at a time. The trainer on this page explains each White move before you play it, then asks you to play the line from memory. Read the main lines and traps, test yourself in the quiz, then play it in your games. The Big Ben London teaches every line, with spaced review so the moves stay with you.

Is the London System good for beginners?

Yes. The setup is easy to remember and leads to solid positions with clear plans, so you spend your study time on the middlegame rather than on long theory.

What is the best reply to the London System?

Early ...c5 with ...Qb6 is the most testing, because it hits d4 and b2 at once. ...Bd6 to trade the bishop and King’s Indian setups are also common.

Should I play 2.Bf4 or 2.Nf3 in the London?

Both are played. This course uses 2.Nf3 and 3.Bf4 against ...d5, which avoids some early ...c5 and ...Qb6 tricks, and the quick 2.Bf4 against ...Nf6.

Is the London System boring?

Only if you never attack with it. Ne5, f4 and a kingside pawn storm are common plans once Black has castled.

Learn every line of the London System

The Big Ben London teaches it as a repertoire: 90 lines, a note on every move read aloud, and spaced review so the moves stay with you. The first line is free.

Open the course

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