All You Need To Know About The London System
The London System was named after a world-class chess tournament. As you probably guessed it took place in the United Kingdom capital all the way back in 1922.
This was around the time that the hypermodern school of chess was making a mark on the game. Leading players such as Richard Réti and Ernst Grünfeld were experimenting with all sorts of novel opening ideas, challenging the old opening setups which had dominated the game for generations.
More traditionally-minded players were taken out of their comfort zone by the hypermodern movement. So, they sought to create an opening which was solid, dependable, and could be played against almost anything Black could do - including all of the new hypermodern opening innovations. The so-called “London System” was the result of their labors.
Today, the London System remains very popular - for exactly the same reasons as back in that 1922 tournament! It offers White the prospect of getting into a playable middlegame with minimal complications, while following the most important opening fundamentals.
Related: Tips To Improve Your Opening Study
London System Game Beginnings
A London System game can begin with several different move orders, and against many different setups that Black may go for. In the below diagram, we show an example London System position, reached after 1. d4 d5, 2. Bf4 Nf6, 3. Nf3.
White begins the game with 1. d4 and quickly develops their dark-squared bishop to f4. It is really this bishop on f4 that is the calling card of the London System.
The idea of Bf4 makes a lot of sense. White gets their dark-squared bishop outside of the pawn chain before playing e3. This way, the “London bishop” assumes an active role along the b8-h2 diagonal. Rather than being stuck behind the e3 pawn (as would be the case if White had played e3 first, before moving their dark-squared bishop out).
From here, there are two major ways that White can proceed:
- The “Jobava London System”, which is characterized by White playing Nc3. In this setup, White will often castle queenside (or not castle at all) and launch a direct kingside assault with moves such as h4->h5, especially if Black goes for a kingside fianchetto setup (such as in the King’s Indian Defense).
- The “London Main Line”, where White takes a quieter approach. White will usually put a pawn on c3 with the queenside knight coming to d2 instead. White will castle kingside and play a more positional game.
In this article, we focus on the London Main Line, but interested readers can check out our entry on the Jobava London System within our article on The Most Important Modern Chess Openings To Know.
Thematic Chess Strategy For White In The London System
One of the great appeals of the London System Main Line is that it does not require a great deal of rote memorization. In the early going, there are several reasonable moves both players can make. Furthermore the order in which they are made does not make a significant difference to the evaluation.
This makes the London System an ideal choice for the busy chess player. Especially those who do not have the time or inclination to learn screeds of opening theory!
It also makes the London System a great option when you are facing an opponent whose opening preparation is one of their greatest strengths. If you don’t care to engage in a theoretical battle against a player who is well-known for their deep opening preparation. You can simply play the London System. Many players dislike facing the London System for precisely this reason. They cannot “out prepare” their opponents before the game begins!
However, even though the London System doesn’t require a lot of “move-by-move” memorization. There are still several thematic ideas to be aware of in order to maximize your chances of success with this opening.
h3 - To Create An Escape Square For The London Bishop
Generally speaking, Black will be very happy to trade White’s powerful dark-squared bishop for one of their knights. Therefore, White needs to be wary of Black playing Nh5 to harass the London bishop. And in some cases, force the trade.
Bearing this in mind, White should look to play the important little move h3 to give the London bishop an escape square. Now, if Black plays Nh5, the bishop can simply drop back to h2.
Going For The e4 Pawn Break
White’s general setup in the London System is to create a central pawn “pyramid” with c3 and e3 supporting their central pawn on d4. Meanwhile, the queenside knight comes to d2. An example position with these features is shown below.
Once this has been established, the key pawn break that White should often look for is e4.
Advancing a few more moves, we can see that White has played 0-0 to get their king out of the center, as well as Qe2 to support the e4 advance. Also note the important role that the White knight on d2 plays in making e4 possible.
If White can play e4 in good circumstances, it opens the position favorably - especially if, like here, Black has been a bit inaccurate with their own play.
Trying To Dominate The e5 Square
When Black meets d4 with d5 (the Symmetrical Queen’s Pawn Opening). It makes the e5 square a potential destination for one of White’s pieces. Not only is e5 a good square for the piece to occupy. But it also prevents Black from advancing with e5 themselves.
[product skus="WIN0583CB,DVD-HENLEY-3,DVD-DIVE02A downside for Black of advancing their d-pawn ahead to d5 is they can no longer play d6 to kick a White piece away from e5. Black would instead need to engineer the uncomfortable move f6 to achieve the same result.
The game Oscar Yosimar Acosta Cruz vs. Malak Ismayil, 2024 shows this idea in action. In the position shown below, White is ready to jump in with their knight to the e5 square.
In the game, Black quickly replied to Ne5 with Nbd7 to challenge the White knight on its good square. However, notice how the London bishop naturally does a good job of supporting the knight on e5 in case of a capture.
Getting Started With The London System Chess Opening
If you like what you have read about the London System so far, you should spend some time learning more about this dependable chess opening for White.
The best book about the London System is The London System in 12 Practical Lessons by Oscar de Prado, which is available from the USCF store.
As the book says, “the general focus is less on theory and has a more practical approach” - which matches the spirit of the London System itself.
Armed with the lessons the book contains, you can learn everything you need about a flexible chess opening for White which is easy to learn and difficult to counter.
Summary: Is The London System A Good Fit For Your Chess Matches?
The London System could be a great choice to begin the game with White if you:
- Don’t have much time to study: The London System is one of the most popular chess openings for White. Because it isn’t necessary to learn a lot of opening theory in order to play it.
- Are fine with reaching an equal position out of the opening: You are unlikely to emerge from the opening with a superior position in the London System. However, you are also unlikely to be much worse either. Instead, both players will get through the first few moves and reach a playable middlegame.
- Prefer plans and ideas to opening memorization: The London System is ideal for the chess player who prefers to showcase their middlegame understanding. Instead of looking for ways to win the game in the opening.
Does that sound like a chess opening which would suit your style with the White pieces?
If so, then try out the London System today!