London System

London System
abcdefgh
8
d4 white pawn
f4 white bishop
c3 white pawn
d3 white bishop
e3 white pawn
f3 white knight
a2 white pawn
b2 white pawn
d2 white knight
f2 white pawn
g2 white pawn
h2 white pawn
a1 white rook
d1 white queen
e1 white king
h1 white rook
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
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The London System set-up
Movesd4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, Bd3, Nbd2, c3
ECOD02, A46, A48
OriginJames Mason
Named after1922 London tournament
ParentQueen's Pawn Game

The London System is an opening system in chess where White opens with 1.d4 and develops the dark-squared bishop to f4, then supports the d4-pawn with pawns on e3 and c3. The other bishop is developed to d3 (or occasionally e2) and the knights typically to f3 and d2. This set-up often results in a closed game. The London System can be used against virtually any Black defence and thus comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. Although it has a reputation as a solid opening, the London System has faced criticism for its tedious nature and lack of dynamic play.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

The rapid development of the dark-squared bishop in the London System can be contrasted with the Colle System, in which the queen's bishop typically remains on c1 during the opening phase of the game.[7]

This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.
  1. ^ Gallagher, Joe (1996). Beating the Anti-King's Indians. Batsford. pp. back cover, 149. ISBN 978-0713480122. Some want to bore the pants off you with [...] the London System", "[...] a favourite amongst those who disregard opening theory or those who want to bore you out of your mind.
  2. ^ Cox, John (2005). Dealing with d4 Deviations. Everyman Chess. p. 8. ISBN 978-1857443998. If someone wants to play the London System, you have to recognise that the game's going to be pretty quiet for a long time.
  3. ^ Dembo, Yelena (2008). Fighting the Anti-King's Indians. Everyman Chess. p. 84. ISBN 978-1857445756. White's play rather resembles some kind of solid and fairly unthreatening Slav!
  4. ^ Avrukh, Boris (2013). Beating 1.d4 Sidelines. Quality Chess. p. 86. ISBN 978-1907982125. a reputation for tedium [...] Black should not have much trouble equalizing.
  5. ^ Radic, Antonio (2021). Agadmator's Anti-London System. Chessable.com. [...] the typical, slow maneuvering London System games.
  6. ^ Sielecki, Christof (2021). Sielecki's Queen's Gambit Declined. Chessable.com. Due to [its] rather schematic approach, the London 'enjoys' the reputation of being a dull and unambitious opening: 'It's always the same, how boring!'
  7. ^ "Queen's Pawn Opening: Accelerated London System". Chess.com.