London System

The London System is an opening for White that begins with 1.d4 and 2.♝f4 — the bishop is developed before the e-pawn moves, which distinguishes the system from other d4 openings. The London System is known for working largely independently of Black's response. Magnus Carlsen has played the London System at world-class level, enormously boosting its popularity.

A typical move order against d7-d5 is 1.d4 d5 2.♝f4 e6 3.e3 ♞f6 4.♞f3 ♝e7 5.♝e2 O-O 6.O-O.

White develops a solid system: bishop on f4, knight on f3, pawns on d4 and e3, bishop on e2 — this setup works in almost any position. The goal is a quiet, positional middlegame in which White gradually builds an advantage. White plans the advance e3-e4, often introduced by ♞d2-e5 or ♞g3 with the plan of e4. The opening has little theory and is therefore particularly attractive for beginners.

After 6.O-O b6 7.h3 ♝b7 8.♞d2 the typical London position is reached. White manoeuvres ♞e5 or exchanges on e7 to control squares on the kingside. A common Black alternative is the fianchetto (2...g6) — White can play the same system and simply continue developing. The London System is the perfect opening for beginners playing White.