How to Play the Jobava London
The modern anti-…d5 attacking system that's exploded in popularity since 2015. Played at elite level by Magnus Carlsen, Wei Yi, Richard Rapport, Hikaru Nakamura, and named after Georgian super-GM Baadur Jobava. The active- bishop sister opening to the Veresov Attack. A complete 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 repertoire — main lines against 3…e6, 3…a6, 3…c5, 3…Bf5, and 3…c6 explained, plus the Nb5 hop, Qd2 + O-O-O attacking plan, and the kingside pawn-storm playbook.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
- Moves: 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 — skip 2.c4 entirely, develop the bishop to an active diagonal, and prepare the early Nb5 hop hitting c7
- White's plan: Hop the knight to b5 threatening Nxc7+, trade Bxf6 for structural damage when convenient, push e4 (after f3 or e3 + Nf3 preparation), and often O-O-O + kingside pawn storm in the sharper lines
- Signature move: The 4.Nb5 hop against 3…e6 — threatens Nxc7+ forking queen and a8-rook. Black has only two safe replies: 4…Na6 (engine choice) or 4…Bb4+ (practical choice)
- Main lines: Against 3…e6 (most common) play 4.Nb5; against 3…a6 (prophylaxis) play 4.e3; against 3…c5 play 4.e3 + Bb5; against 3…Bf5 play 4.f3 + e4; against 3…c6 play 4.e3 + Nf3
- Best for: Club players (1200+) who want a low-theory 1.d4 weapon against …d5 players with maximum modern surprise value and concrete tactical chances
- Modern pedigree: Popularized by Baadur Jobava since 2015; now played at elite level by Magnus Carlsen (rapid/ blitz), Wei Yi (classical), Richard Rapport (as a primary weapon), and Hikaru Nakamura. Highest- ROI 1.d4 system to learn in 2026.
What Is the Jobava London?
The Jobava London — also called the Jobava Attack or Jobava London System — is a chess opening for White against 1…d5 beginning:
1. d4 d5
2. Nc3 Nf6
3. Bf4
The two defining moves are 2.Nc3 (skipping the classical 2.c4 that invites the Slav, QGD, Tarrasch, and Chigorin) and 3.Bf4 (developing the bishop to an active diagonal, keeping the bishop pair, and uniquely enabling the early Nb5 hop hitting c7). The Jobava London combines the Veresov's 2.Nc3 anti-classical philosophy with the London System's f4-bishop development — creating a hybrid system with the lowest theory burden of any serious 1.d4 weapon and the highest modern surprise value.
The opening's explosion in popularity started in 2015 when Georgian super-grandmaster Baadur Jobava — a creative attacking player ranked in the world top-50 — started playing 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 as his primary 1.d4 weapon in elite classical tournaments. Jobava scored extraordinary results against opponents rated 2700+ and the system was quickly named after him despite earlier players (including a handful of British IMs and correspondence players) having used it as a sideline for decades. Within five years it spread to the elite mainstream — current world-class players including Magnus Carlsen (in rapid and blitz), Wei Yi (in classical), Richard Rapport (as a primary weapon), and Hikaru Nakamura (in online play) all use the Jobava London regularly. The 2015–2026 popularity curve has fundamentally changed how strong players approach 1…d5 — Black now needs concrete preparation against both 2.c4 (Slav/QGD theory) AND 2.Nc3 (Jobava London + Veresov theory), effectively doubling the preparation burden.
Main Variations — Every Black Reply Covered
Black has roughly five plausible third moves against the Jobava London. A complete White repertoire needs an answer for each:
3…e6 — The Main Line (most common Black reply)
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nb5 (or 4.e3)
By far the most-played reply at every level — Black supports d5 with the e-pawn, prepares …Bd6 trading the Bf4, and heads for a French-style structure. The critical White move is 4.Nb5, the Jobava London's signature idea — the knight hops to b5 hitting c7 with the threat of Nxc7+ forking the rook on a8. Black has only two safe answers: 4…Na6 (the engine choice, defending c7 awkwardly) and 4…Bb4+ (the practical try, blocking the check while developing). After 4…Na6 5.e3 c6 6.Nc3 Bd6 7.Bxd6 Qxd6 8.Nf3 White has a comfortable London-style structure with a tempo gain from the Nb5 hop. After 4…Bb4+ 5.c3 Ba5 6.Qa4+ Nc6 7.Nf3 White keeps the bishop pair and a small space edge. At club level the Nb5 hop wins enormous numbers of games because Black players don't know the c7-defense and play 4…c6?? walking into Nxd6+ or 4…Bd6?? allowing 5.Nxd6+ trading the dark-squared bishop on White's terms. If you only learn one Jobava London line, learn this one.
3…a6 — The Anti-Nb5 Prophylaxis
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 a6 4.e3 (or 4.Nf3)
The modern engine-approved answer — Black plays …a6 specifically to prevent the Nb5 hop before White can ever fire it. The downside is that …a6 is a slow move that doesn't develop a piece, so White gets a free tempo for development. The critical White move is 4.e3 (the simple developing setup) and after 4…e6 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O White has a near-London structure with full development and an extra tempo. Alternatively 4.Nf3 keeps maximum flexibility — White can still play e3 + Bd3 + O-O or shift to Bxf6 ideas depending on Black's setup. Engines say 3…a6 fully equalizes in theory but practical results at sub-2200 strongly favor White because Black's …a6 commits to a slow plan and rarely generates active counterplay. Tip: against 3…a6 don't try to force Nb5 ideas — accept the prophylaxis and play a clean London setup with an extra developmental tempo. The free tempo plus White's natural attacking chances after e3 + Bd3 + h3 + g4 add up to a comfortable practical edge.
3…c5 — The Aggressive Central Counter
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 (or 4.dxc5)
Black's most ambitious reply — immediately challenging the d-pawn the way you would against a regular London System. The critical White move is 4.e3 (maintaining the d4-pawn and developing solidly) and after 4…Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bb5 (the Jobava-style active pin instead of Bd3) White generates Bxc6 ideas damaging Black's pawn structure. The alternative 4.dxc5 e6 5.b4 (trying to hold the pawn) is too speculative — Black gets too much development for a single pawn. After the main 4.e3 setup, White's plan is straightforward: complete development with Nf3 + Be2 or Bb5 + O-O, then attack the queenside dark squares around Black's c5-pawn. Practical results favor White by a small margin at club level — Black's aggressive 3…c5 commits to a sharp structure but Jobava London players are usually better prepared for this than Black is for the Nb5 ideas. Tip: against 3…c5 in classical, prefer the quieter 4.e3 + Bb5; in blitz, 4.e3 + Bd3 keeps things straightforward and avoids tactical accidents.
3…Bf5 — The London-Style Trade
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 Bf5 4.f3 (or 4.Nf3)
Black solves the problem bishop early — developing it outside the pawn chain before locking with …e6. This is the natural London-style response, but in the Jobava version it's less effective because the c3-knight is already developed and ready for Nb5 ideas. The critical White move is 4.f3 (preparing an immediate e4 break while denying Black's bishop the g4 square) and after 4…e6 5.e4 dxe4 6.fxe4 Bg6 7.Nf3 White has a big center and easy development. The alternative 4.Nf3 (the quieter choice) leads to 4…e6 5.e3 Bd6 6.Bxd6 Qxd6 7.Bd3 with a balanced position where White's extra tempo from the Nb5 threat gives a tiny edge. At club level, 4.f3 + e4 scores well because most Black players who play 3…Bf5 don't expect the immediate central pawn break — they're prepared for a slow London-style maneuvering game. Tip: against 3…Bf5 in classical, prefer 4.f3 + e4 for maximum attacking chances; the central pawn break completely changes the game's character and catches Black off-guard.
3…c6 — The Slav-Style Solid Reply
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c6 4.e3 (or 4.Nf3)
The Slav-style equalizer — Black plays …c6 to support d5 and prepare …Qb6 hitting b2, or …Bf5 developing the bishop with c6 support. The …c6 move also denies White's Nb5 hop (the b5-knight has no good follow-up if c6 controls the square). The critical White move is 4.e3 (the simple developing setup) and after 4…Bf5 5.Nf3 e6 6.Bd3 Bxd3 7.Qxd3 White reaches a Slav Exchange-like structure with a slight pull from the c3-knight already developed. The alternative 4.Nf3 leads to similar structures. The 3…c6 line is the most solid Black answer at engine level — evaluation is roughly equal — but practical results at club level favor White because Black often misplays the early …Qb6 attack on b2 (which loses time when met with Rb1 or Na4 ideas). Tip: against 3…c6, play the simple 4.e3 + Nf3 + Bd3 setup and aim for a slow positional squeeze on the queenside dark squares; don't try to force tactics where none exist.
Practical tip: At club level, expect roughly 50% of opponents to play 3…e6 (the natural French-style developing move — and the exact move the Nb5 hop is designed against), 15% to play 3…c5 (the aggressive central counter), 15% to play 3…Bf5 (the quiet equalizer), 10% to play 3…c6 (the Slav-style solid reply), and 10% to play 3…a6 or other prophylactic moves. If you only have time to seriously study one line, study the 3…e6 main line with the 4.Nb5 hop — it covers half your practical games and produces the highest win rate of any Jobava London variation.
The Main Line vs 3…e6 — Move by Move
The signature Jobava London line against 3…e6 features the famous 4.Nb5 hop hitting c7. Black has only two safe replies — here's the engine-approved 4…Na6 defense in full:
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6
4. Nb5 Na6
5. e3 c6
6. Nc3 Bd6
7. Bxd6 Qxd6
8. Nf3 O-O
9. Bd3 b6
The critical moves are 4.Nb5 (the Jobava London's signature attacking idea — threatens Nxc7+ forking queen and a8-rook), 5.e3 (now that the knight has done its job, White retreats the development to a quiet London-style structure with the Nb5 hop tempo gained), 7.Bxd6 (taking the bishop on Black's commitment to the trade — Black now has the queen on d6 instead of d8), and 9.Bd3 (the standard London-style bishop development aiming at h7).
- WhiteDevelop with Nf3 + Bd3 + O-O + h3 + Re1 and head for a classical London middlegame with a small edge from the Nb5 tempo gain and Black's awkwardly-placed Na6. Long-term plans: c4 break attacking the d5-pawn, Ne5 outpost, h3 + g4 kingside pawn storm if Black castles short, Qe2 + Rad1 doubling on the d-file. The position resembles a London System but with one extra tempo for White and Black's queen-side knight stuck on a6.
- BlackReroute the Na6 to c7 or b8-d7 to fix the awkward knight placement, develop the queenside bishop with …Bb7, and look for an eventual …c5 break to challenge White's d4-pawn. Standard plans: …Nc7-e6 reroute, …Bb7 + …Rad8 + …c5, and prophylaxis against White's kingside attack with …h6 and …Re8. Engines say the position is roughly equal, but White's development edge + structural pressure typically converts to practical advantage.
The other safe Black reply is 4…Bb4+ (blocking the check with the dark-squared bishop):
1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6
4. Nb5 Bb4+
5. c3 Ba5
6. Qa4+ Nc6
7. Nf3 O-O
8. e3 a6
The critical sequence is 5.c3 (forcing the bishop to retreat or be exchanged with a tempo gain), 6.Qa4+ (the strange but strong queen sortie — pins the c6-knight and gains another tempo), and 7.Nf3 (completing development with all White's pieces active). White keeps the bishop pair, has gained multiple tempo from the Nb5 hop, and has an easier middlegame plan than Black. Engines evaluate this position at +0.3 in White's favor — a meaningful practical edge that almost any club player can convert.
The remaining Black tries (4…c6??, 4…Bd6??, 4…a6, and other moves) either lose material to Nxc7+ or Nxd6+ immediately, or transpose into worse versions of the main lines. The 4.Nb5 hop is the Jobava London's entire reason for existing — if you only memorize one tactical pattern from this article, memorize the c7-fork and the standard Na6/Bb4+ defenses.
Jobava London vs Other White Systems — When to Choose Which?
The Jobava London is one of several modern White choices for sidestepping 1.d4 d5 2.c4 theory. Each has a distinct personality:
Jobava London — this article
Modern aggressive anti-…d5 system with 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 + early Nb5 hop. Lower theory than Queen's Gambit, sharper than London System, more active than Veresov. Best for ambitious club players who want a 1.d4 weapon with concrete tactical chances and maximum modern surprise value.
Jobava London vs Veresov Attack (2.Nc3 + 3.Bg5)
Sister opening — same 2.Nc3 anti-classical choice, but the bishop goes to g5 instead of f4. The Veresov is slightly more positional (the Bg5 pin invites Bxf6 trades), the Jobava London is more active (the f4-bishop keeps the pair and enables Nb5). The Jobava London has exploded in popularity since 2015 and is the more-played of the two at the top level. Many modern players use Jobava London as primary weapon and keep the Veresov as a secondary surprise.
Jobava London vs London System (2.Bf4 with Nbd2)
Same f4-bishop, very different middlegame. The classical London (with Nbd2 setup) is a positional weapon — same plan against everything, slow squeeze, no tactical risk. The Jobava London (with the knight on c3 instead of d2) is much sharper — the Nb5 hop creates immediate tactics and opposite- side castling plans become possible. Regular London for the no-theory positional weapon; Jobava London for tactical chances and modern surprise value. Most ambitious players who learn the regular London first eventually switch to Jobava.
Jobava London vs Trompowsky Attack (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5)
The Trompowsky targets 1…Nf6, the Jobava London targets 1…d5. Together they form a complete 1.d4 anti-classical repertoire — Trompowsky against ...Nf6 players (Indian Defenses, KID, Grünfeld, Nimzo), Jobava London against …d5 players (Slav, QGD, Tarrasch, Chigorin). Both share the low-theory + surprise-value philosophy. The Trompowsky + Jobava London pairing is currently one of the most popular complete 1.d4 surprise repertoires at master level.
Jobava London vs Colle System
The Colle (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3) is the most passive anti-…d5 system — Bd3 + Nf3 + e3 + c3 with a slow e4 break. Easy to learn but doesn't fight for advantage. The Jobava London is significantly more ambitious — concrete play with the Nb5 hop, active bishop development, and attacking chances throughout. If you've outgrown the Colle and want a real fighting White system against …d5, the Jobava London is the natural next step.
Jobava London vs Queen's Gambit (2.c4)
2.c4 is the classical main move — leads to the Slav, QGD, QGA, Tarrasch, and Chigorin complex. Massive theory but the highest ceiling for White. The Jobava London trades that ceiling for much lower theoretical demands and stronger practical surprise value. Choose 2.c4 if you have time to study deeply; choose 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 if you want the highest return on study time and want to follow Carlsen, Wei Yi, and Rapport's modern fashion.
Key Strategic Themes
Master these four concepts and any Jobava London position becomes navigable:
The Nb5 hop — the Jobava London's signature attacking idea
The defining tactic of the Jobava London is the early Nb5 hop hitting c7 with the threat of Nxc7+ forking the rook on a8. This idea is impossible in the regular London System (where the knight goes to d2 to support e3) and impossible in the Veresov (where Bg5 occupies the diagonal). The 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 combination uniquely enables Nb5 because the knight is already on c3, the bishop is on f4 instead of g5 (not blocking the knight's path), and the diagonal of the f4-bishop coordinates with the knight to hit Black's queenside. At club level the Nb5 hop wins enormous numbers of games because Black players see it as 'just a knight move' rather than a concrete threat — they routinely walk into Nxc7+ or Nxd6+ losing material on move 4. Even at master level the Nb5 idea has surprise value — modern grandmaster commentary repeatedly notes that 'Black has to know the exact c7-defense or the position is already lost'. Memorize this single tactical motif and you've already absorbed 60% of the Jobava London's practical value.
Bxf6 dark-square damage — Jobava's positional weapon
Like the Veresov and Trompowsky, the Jobava London frequently involves White voluntarily trading Bxf6 to inflict structural damage on Black. The Bf4 → Bxf6 trade is particularly effective because the bishop on f4 is already on the right diagonal and trades without losing a tempo. The recaptures matter: …exf6 gives Black doubled f-pawns and a permanent endgame weakness, …gxf6 weakens the kingside and invites a direct attack with h4-h5 or O-O-O + g4 (the same opposite-side-castling-race idea as in the Veresov). The bishop pair Black gets in return is usually not enough compensation because the Jobava London's middlegame plans (Nb5 pressure, e4 break, kingside attack) don't give Black's bishops good diagonals. Jobava himself has won many games where he simply plays Bxf6 around move 5 or 6 and slowly converts the structural edge — the bishop pair is a long-term asset only if Black gets to coordinate it, and the Jobava London's quick attacking plans rarely allow that.
The Qd2 + O-O-O attacking plan
In the sharpest Jobava London lines, White plays Qd2 + O-O-O followed by a kingside pawn storm with h4-h5 or g4-g5. This is the same opposite-side-castling-race template as in the Veresov main line, but the Jobava version is even more effective because the f4-bishop supports the attack directly (compared to the Veresov's g5-bishop which often has to retreat or trade). The critical timing is to launch the attack before completing kingside development — White's last few moves before O-O-O often involve Qd2 and Nh3 rather than Nf3 + Bd3, prioritizing attacking pieces over central development. Black's typical setup (…e6 + …Bd6 or …Be7 + …O-O) leaves the kingside vulnerable, and Black has no quick queenside counterplay thanks to White's c2-pawn still defending b3 and the c3-knight already developed. At club level this attacking plan scores extraordinarily well — Black players see opposite-side castling and panic, often making one defensive move too many before counterattacking and losing the race by a single tempo.
The Baadur Jobava revolution (2015–present)
Before 2015 the 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 setup was a sideline that occasionally appeared in correspondence chess and the games of a handful of British IMs. Then Georgian grandmaster Baadur Jobava — a creative attacking player ranked in the world top-50 — started playing it as his primary 1.d4 weapon in elite tournaments, scoring extraordinary results against opponents rated 2700+. The opening was quickly named after him (despite Jobava himself crediting earlier players) and has since been adopted by Magnus Carlsen (in rapid and blitz), Wei Yi (in classical), Richard Rapport (as a primary weapon), Hikaru Nakamura (in online play), and many other top grandmasters. The 2015–2026 explosion in popularity has fundamentally changed how strong players approach 1…d5 — Black now needs concrete preparation against both 2.c4 (Slav/QGD theory) AND 2.Nc3 (Jobava London + Veresov theory), effectively doubling the preparation burden. From a pure SEO/learning standpoint, the Jobava London is currently the highest-ROI opening to study for an improving White player — maximum modern surprise value, minimum theoretical depth, played by current world-class GMs.
How to Learn the Jobava London (Step by Step)
- Memorize the 4.Nb5 hop and the c7-defense first. The sequence 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nb5 with the Na6 and Bb4+ defenses is the single most important Jobava London pattern. About 50% of your practical games arrive here, and most opponents will play 4…c6?? or 4…Bd6?? walking straight into Nxc7+ or Nxd6+. Learn the standard tactical patterns cold — they're the entire reason this opening works. Thirty minutes of focused study on this line gives you most of the Jobava London's practical value.
- Pair with the Trompowsky against 1…Nf6. The Jobava London only triggers on 1…d5. For a complete anti-classical 1.d4 repertoire you also need an answer against 1…Nf6. The natural pair is the Trompowsky Attack (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5) — same low-theory + surprise- value philosophy. Trompowsky + Jobava London = a complete modern 1.d4 repertoire against every Black first move with under 60 moves of theory total.
- Build the complete repertoire one Black move at a time. After mastering the 3…e6 + Nb5 main line, add 3…a6 (4.e3 + Nf3 + Bd3 setup), then 3…c5 (4.e3 + Bb5 active), then 3…Bf5 (4.f3 + e4 central break), then 3…c6 (4.e3 + Nf3 quiet). At one variation per week you have a complete Jobava London repertoire in five weeks — far faster than learning the Slav + QGD theory complex against 2.c4.
- Analyze your Jobava London games for free. The Jobava London is unusually tactical for an opening that's billed as "low theory" — the Nb5 hop creates immediate calculation problems, the Bxf6 trade decisions are subtle, and the opposite-side-castling races demand exact move-order precision. Engine review catches the exact moment your Nb5 timing slipped or the right Bxf6 trade you missed. Export your PGN and use chess.rodeo for full Stockfish analysis — no account, no paywall, unlimited games. The Jobava London's mix of tactical surprise and structural play makes engine review unusually valuable — every missed Nxc7+ or g4-g5 break becomes a permanent lesson.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jobava London?
The Jobava London is a White opening beginning 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4. White skips the standard 2.c4 and instead develops the knight to c3 and the bishop to f4, uniquely enabling the early Nb5 hop hitting c7. Named after Georgian super-grandmaster Baadur Jobava who popularized it in elite tournaments from 2015 onward. Now played at the top level by Carlsen, Wei Yi, Rapport, and Nakamura.
Is the Jobava London good for beginners?
Yes — the Jobava London is one of the best low-theory 1.d4 d5 choices for ambitious club players. The theory burden is about 30 moves vs 300+ for the Queen's Gambit complex, and the typical plans (Nb5 hop, Bxf6 trade, e4 break, O-O-O kingside pawn storm) are concrete pattern- based ideas. At sub-2000 level it scores excellently because Black players almost never have specific preparation against 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4.
Jobava London vs Veresov Attack — what's the difference?
Both play 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 but diverge on move 3: Veresov plays 3.Bg5 (classical pin, Bxf6 trade philosophy), Jobava London plays 3.Bf4 (active bishop development, Nb5 hop ideas). The Jobava London has exploded in popularity since 2015 and is the more-played of the two at the top level. Many modern White players use Jobava London as primary weapon and keep the Veresov as a secondary surprise — both share the same 2.Nc3 anti-classical philosophy.
Jobava London vs regular London System — which should I play?
Both have the bishop on f4 but the middlegames are completely different. The regular London (with knight on d2) is a positional weapon — slow squeeze, no tactical risk. The Jobava London (with knight on c3) is much sharper — the Nb5 hop creates immediate tactics and opposite-side castling becomes possible. Choose the regular London for the simplest possible weapon; choose the Jobava London for sharper games and the modern fashion. Most ambitious players migrate from regular London to Jobava London once they want more attacking chances.
Why has the Jobava London become so popular?
Three reasons: (1) Baadur Jobava's tournament results from 2015 onward proved 2.Nc3 + 3.Bf4 is fully sound against the world's best, (2) the Nb5 hop is a concrete tactical idea that catches even strong Black players off-guard because most …d5 preparation is focused on 2.c4 lines, (3) Carlsen, Wei Yi, Rapport, and Nakamura have all adopted it, giving the opening elite credibility. The combined effect is that 2.Nc3 has gone from a curiosity in 2014 to a mainstream 1.d4 surprise weapon in 2026 — and it's only getting more popular.
Analyze your Jobava London games — free, no account
The Jobava London is unusually tactical for an opening billed as 'low theory' — the Nb5 hop creates immediate calculation problems, the Bxf6 trade decisions are subtle, and the opposite-side castling races demand exact move-order precision. Engine review catches the exact moment your Nb5 timing slipped, the right Bxf6 trade you missed, or the queenside breakthrough that was one tempo too slow. Export your PGN and use chess.rodeo for full Stockfish analysis. No account, no paywall, unlimited games. The Jobava London's mix of tactical surprise and structural play makes engine review unusually valuable — every missed Nxc7+ or g4-g5 break becomes a permanent lesson.