How to Play the London System
The opening that requires zero memorization and works against everything. Here's how the London System works, why Magnus Carlsen plays it, and how to use it to win more games as White.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
- Moves: 1. d4 2. Nf3 3. Bf4 4. e3 5. Bd3 6. Nbd2 7. O-O
- White's idea: Same solid setup against everything — no theory, just plans
- Key piece: The Bf4 bishop — controls e5, targets the b8–h2 diagonal
- Main plan: Complete development, then break in the center with e3–e4
- Best for: Beginners and club players who want practical results without memorizing deep theory
What Is the London System?
The London System is White's answer to nearly every Black defense. The standard move order is:
1. d4
2. Nf3
3. Bf4
4. e3
5. Bd3
6. Nbd2
7. O-O
These seven moves form a complete, coherent setup regardless of what Black does. That's the London's defining strength: it's a system, not a series of theoretical lines. Whether Black plays the Sicilian, the King's Indian, the Dutch, or a classical ...d5, White just develops the same way and then plays for the e4 break.
The opening gets its name from the 1922 London tournament, where several top players used this setup. It fell out of fashion at grandmaster level for decades — considered too solid, too unambitious. But starting around 2010, elite players including Magnus Carlsen began using it regularly. Carlsen won several World Championship preparation battles with the London, and the opening's popularity has exploded at all levels since.
How Black Responds — The Four Main Setups
The London works against everything, but Black does have four distinct ways to try to challenge White:
Classical London (vs ...d5 + ...Nf6)
2...d5 3...Nf6
The most common response. Black mirrors White with a solid pawn on d5 and knight on f6. White completes the standard setup: e3, Bd3, Nbd2, O-O, c3. Both sides develop naturally — White aims for the e4 break, Black looks to challenge with ...c5 or ...e5.
London vs ...Bd6 (Teichmann Setup)
4...Bd6
Black directly challenges the Bf4 by threatening to exchange bishops with ...Bxf4. White typically retreats Bg3 and continues Bd3 after Black plays ...Bxg3 hxg3. The semi-open h-file gives White an aggressive option after O-O and Qd3 targeting h7.
London vs ...c5 (Central Counter)
2...c5
Black strikes at d4 immediately rather than developing with ...d5. If White plays d5, a Benoni structure arises. If White maintains the center with c3 or e3, Black plays ...cxd4 and aims for rapid queenside development. The most principled challenge to White's London setup.
London vs King's Indian (...g6 + ...Bg7)
2...g6 3...Bg7
Black uses a hypermodern setup — allowing White to build a pawn center with d4 and e4, then attacking it with ...d6 and ...e5. Against this, White can set up a strong center and launch a kingside attack, or maintain a stable position with the standard London setup.
Practical tip: Against all four setups, your first 6–7 moves are basically the same. Don't get distracted by what Black plays — just complete your development. Only start thinking about Black-specific plans after you've castled.
The Complete London Setup — Move by Move
Here's the most common London game continuation against Black's classical ...d5 + ...Nf6 response:
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6
3. Bf4 e6
4. e3 Bd6
5. Bg3 O-O
6. Bd3 c5
7. c3 Nc6
8. Nbd2 Qe7
Note move 5: when Black plays ...Bd6, White retreats the bishop to g3 rather than allow it to be traded. After 5...Bxg3, White recaptures 6.hxg3 — opening the h-file and creating the attacking battery Bd3 + Qd3 targeting h7. This is one of the London's most important middlegame ideas.
After completing development, White's plan is:
- Castle kingside and connect the rooks
- Prepare the e4 break with Re1 and/or Ne5
- If Black plays ...c5, decide whether to hold d4 with c3 or release tension with dxc5
- In the endgame, White's solid structure gives long-term pressure — use the Nbd2–Nf1–Ne3–Nd5 knight maneuver
Key Strategic Themes
Master these four concepts to navigate any London System position:
The Bf4 bishop — the London's signature piece
The bishop on f4 is what makes the London the London. It controls the e5 square, eyes the b8–h2 diagonal, and supports future central play. Most importantly, it develops early and stays active for the whole game. Unlike 1.e4 openings where the f1-bishop often needs 3–4 moves to activate, in the London it's developed on move 2 or 3 and contributes immediately. Knowing how to reposition it to g3 (when attacked) or trade it off strategically is the key London skill.
One setup against everything — no theory needed
The London System's defining feature is that White plays the same 7 moves — d4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, Bd3, Nbd2, O-O — regardless of what Black does. Against the Sicilian? London. Against the King's Indian? London. Against the Dutch? London. This eliminates the need for deep opening theory. Instead of memorizing 20-move lines, you learn one set of plans and apply them across all positions. This is why the London is so popular at club level and why time spent on it compounds over thousands of games.
The e4 break — White's central goal
After completing the standard setup, White's main plan is to break in the center with e4. The typical preparation is: O-O, then c3 (supporting d4), then Re1 (supporting the e4 advance), then Nbd2 (or Ne5), and finally e3–e4. This advance opens the center and activates all of White's pieces. The e4 break is what gives the London real bite — without it, the position can become too passive. Understanding when and how to execute e4 is what separates London players who win from London players who draw.
The Bd3–Qd3 battery targeting h7
After White plays hxg3 (recapturing after Black plays ...Bxg3 in the Teichmann setup), the semi-open h-file creates a direct path to Black's king. White often maneuvers to Qd3 pointing at the h7 pawn, supported by Re1 and sometimes Ng5. This attacking idea — Bd3, Qd3, Ng5 — has scored heavily in club-level London games. The threat of Bxh7+ Kxh7 Qh3+ Kg8 Ng5 is a common London attacking pattern worth memorizing.
Anti-London Ideas — What Black Can Do
The London is solid but not a free win. Black has real options to fight for the initiative:
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5 — early queenside counter
By playing ...c5 before committing the knight to f6, Black avoids the standard London development and creates immediate central tension. White can play 3.c3 (supporting d4, entering a Colle-like structure) or 3.e3 cxd4 4.exd4 (IQP position). Both give White decent play but require specific knowledge — unlike the set-and-forget standard London.
...Nh5 — attacking the Bf4 bishop directly
Black can play ...Nh5 at various points to attack the Bf4. White typically responds Bg3 (retreating safely) or Be5 (maintaining pressure). After ...Nxg3 hxg3, White has the semi-open h-file again. The ...Nh5 idea looks attractive but often misplaces Black's knight — the h5-knight is usually poor in the resulting positions.
Against either challenge, White's response is the same: keep developing, keep the pawn structure intact, and wait for Black to over-extend. The London wins more by not losing than by attacking.
London System vs Similar 1.d4 Openings
The London is part of a family of systematic 1.d4 openings. Here 's how it compares to its relatives:
London vs Colle System
The Colle (1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3) is similar but develops the bishop to d3 rather than f4. The Colle is even more conservative — White builds the d4-e3-c3 pyramid and aims for an e4 break. The London with Bf4 is generally considered more active because the Bf4 bishop contributes immediately, while the Colle's bishop on d3 can get blocked. At club level, both work well.
London vs Queen's Gambit
The Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4) is more aggressive and space-gaining than the London. It leads to sharper positions with more theoretical demands. The London is strictly easier to learn — you play the same moves regardless. The QG gives more winning chances but requires more preparation. Strong club players often use both: London as a surprise weapon, QG as the main repertoire.
How to Learn the London System (Step by Step)
- Memorize the 7-move setup cold. 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.Bf4, 4.e3, 5.Bd3, 6.Nbd2, 7.O-O. Practice it against a chess computer on the lowest setting until those 7 moves are automatic. You should be playing move 7 within 30 seconds. Everything else builds on this foundation.
- Learn the e4 break plan. After castling, the standard London plan is: Re1, then c3 (or Ne5), then the central push e3–e4. Study how this works in practice — when can you play e4 directly, when do you need more preparation? Playing 20–30 games focused only on executing e4 will teach you more than reading theory.
- Handle the Teichmann (...Bd6) correctly. When Black plays ...Bd6 to challenge your Bf4, retreat to Bg3. After ...Bxg3 hxg3, activate with Qd3 pointing at h7. This attacking setup is one of the London's best weapons and appears in a large percentage of your games. Know the Ng5 + Bxh7 sacrifice patterns.
- Analyze your London games for free. Export your PGN and use chess.rodeo for instant Stockfish analysis. The London requires understanding when to break with e4 and when to keep the position closed — seeing the engine's recommendations on your critical decisions is the fastest way to improve. No account, no paywall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the London System in chess?
The London System is a chess opening for White beginning 1.d4 2.Nf3 3.Bf4. White develops systematically — Bf4, e3, Bd3, Nbd2, O-O — regardless of what Black plays. This makes it extremely practical: you learn one setup and use it against almost any Black defense. Used by Magnus Carlsen and regularly played at all levels from club to world championship.
Is the London System good for beginners?
Yes — the London is one of the best openings for beginners. The same 7-move setup (d4, Nf3, Bf4, e3, Bd3, Nbd2, O-O) works against almost everything. You avoid sharp theoretical battles while getting a solid, active position. It's also a great opening to learn chess planning because the same strategic ideas — the e4 break, the Bd3-Qd3 battery, knight maneuvers — appear in virtually every game.
What are the weaknesses of the London System?
The main weaknesses: the Bf4 can become a target (Black challenges it with ...Bd6 or ...Nh5), the position can be passive if White fails to execute the e4 break, and experienced players with anti-London setups (...c5 + ...Nc6) can equalize comfortably. However, the London remains theoretically respectable — Carlsen's results proved it works even against the world's best.
How do you beat the London System as Black?
The most principled responses: fight for the center with ...d5 and ...c5 simultaneously, use the King's Indian setup (...Nf6 + ...g6 + ...Bg7), or try the Teichmann (...Bd6 to challenge the Bf4). Against any line, prioritizing central control and rapid development gives Black equality. Avoid passive setups where White gets to play e4 unopposed.
Analyze your London System games — free, no account
Paste any PGN into chess.rodeo for full Stockfish analysis. See exactly where you deviated from the best plan and what the engine recommends at every critical decision point — no account, no paywall.