Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Bf4/2...d5/3. e3/3...e6/4. Nf3

London System Main Line with ...d5

London System - Main Base Position
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Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/5n2/3p4/3P1B2/4P3/PPP2PPP/RN1QKBNR b

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3
Category:Book:Chess Opening Theory#1.%20d4/1...Nf6/2.%20Bf4/2...d5/3.%20e3/3...e6/4.%20Nf3%20

The London System is a solid and flexible opening system for white that can be played against various setups by black. After the moves:

  1. 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 or
  2. 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3

The main ideas for both sides in the London System's main line are:

For White:

  1. Development and Structure: Nf3, Be2, c3, and often Nbd2 followed by a potential e4 break or the more restrained h3 and O-O. The pawn on d4 and the pawn on e3 provide a solid central structure.
  2. Queenside Expansion: With moves like a4-a5 or a queenside pawn storm with b4, aiming for a potential minority attack.
  3. King Safety: Usually achieved with O-O. The rook on f1 might later swing over to the c-file or e-file.
  4. Central Break: Depending on Black's setup, White can aim for e4 at some point.

For Black:

  1. Challenge the Bishop: ...c5 or ...Nh5 can be played to challenge White's strong Bf4.
  2. Development: e6 followed by Be7, O-O, and Nbd7 or Nc6. Depending on the situation, the light-squared bishop can be developed to d7, f5, or g4.
  3. Central Control: Black usually maintains a pawn on d5 and can consider playing ...e5 under the right conditions.
  4. Queenside Counterplay: Black can look for counterplay with moves like ...a6 and ...b5, depending on White's play.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation. Category:Book:Chess Opening Theory#1.%20d4/1...Nf6/2.%20Bf4/2...d5/3.%20e3/3...e6/4.%20Nf3%20.

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3

3
System with e6 ...
e6		 =
Early c5 ...
c5		 =

References

    Bibliography


    v · t · e
    Chess openings quick reference
    1. e4
    1...e5 · Open
    2. Nf3
    With 2...Nc6:

    With other 2nd moves:
    2. Other

    1...c5 · Sicilian
    2... Nf3 · Open Sicilian
    With 2...Nc6:

    With 2...d6:

    With 2...e6:

    With other 2nd moves:
    Anti-Sicilians
    1... other
    Caro-Kann
    French
    Other


    1. d4
    1...d5 · Closed
    2. c4
    2. Nc3
    2. other
    1...Nf6 · Indian
    2. c4
    With 2...e6:

    With 2...g6:

    With other 2nd moves for Black:
    2. Nf3
    2. other
    1... other
    Flank
    Unorthodox
    Category:Book:Chess Opening Theory#1.%20d4/1...Nf6/2.%20Bf4/2...d5/3.%20e3/3...e6/4.%20Nf3%20 Category:Book:Chess Opening Theory#1.%20d4/1...Nf6/2.%20Bf4/2...d5/3.%20e3/3...e6/4.%20Nf3%20
    Category:Book:Chess Opening Theory Category:Pages using duplicate arguments in template calls