The London System: A First Repertoire for Beginners

A calm first opening that teaches structure, development and purposeful attacking

Here is the whole opening in sixty seconds – then the full guide continues below:

The London System is a practical way for a new player to begin playing 1.d4 without memorising a separate opening against every reply. White develops the dark-squared bishop early, builds a sturdy centre and then chooses a plan from the position in front of them.

It is not a magic sequence that wins by itself. Its value is that the first moves create positions with recurring ideas, so a beginner can spend less time recalling moves and more time learning development, king safety, pawn breaks and tactics.

Why the London suits new players

An opening system is a family of related positions rather than one fixed line. The London is usually recognised by 1.d4 and an early Bf4, most directly 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4. White can often use the same broad arrangement against different black setups, although the move order and the best placement of individual pieces can change.

That repeatability is useful when every game still feels unfamiliar. The usual structure places pawns on d4, e3 and c3, with the bishop already outside the e3 pawn chain. The position is solid, but Black still has active central breaks and queenside play.

The system also gives a beginner a clear checklist. Develop the knights, finish the bishops, castle and connect the rooks. Those habits match basic opening guidance: develop towards the centre, avoid wasting tempi and give each move a purpose.

The core London setup

Start with the d-pawn and aim to develop the queen’s bishop to f4 before closing it behind e3. A common framework is d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, Bd3, Nbd2 and c3, but Black’s moves decide the order. The b-knight normally heads for d2, while the other knight develops to f3.

The bishop on f4 is an important reason to play the London this way. It has an active diagonal before White plays e3, and it often supports control of e5. If Black plays …g6 and …Bg7, White may prefer to develop the other bishop to e2 rather than automatically putting it on d3.

Once the pieces are developed, castling is normally the simplest way to complete the first phase. It safeguards the king, brings a rook towards the centre and makes it easier to coordinate the army. Remember that castling is a move in its own right, not a reward for having memorised a sequence.

When you see a good move, look for a better one!

Emanuel Lasker, second world chess champion

The plans that follow

The first recurring plan is to contest e5. White may manoeuvre the f3-knight towards e5 when the square is safe and the move is supported by the position. The knight can become an outpost, but it is not a ritual: before moving it, check whether Black can chase it with a pawn, exchange it or win a tactical tempo.

The second plan is a kingside attack. With the bishop on d3, White can sometimes point pressure towards h7, bring the queen to a useful square and advance the h-pawn when the position allows. A familiar attacking idea is not a licence to sacrifice: count defenders, identify Black’s king escape squares and look for the opponent’s counterplay first.

White can also play in the centre. A later e4 advance may gain space, but it requires preparation and attention to the d4 pawn. In other positions, exchanging in the centre or opening a file is more useful than pushing forward. The right question is not, “What is the London move?” but, “Which pawn break changes this position in my favour?”

Black will often challenge the arrangement with …c5 and may use …Qb6 to put pressure on b2 and the centre. That is a test of awareness. Defend the attacked pawn, consider whether a queen move creates a tactical problem and check if a central move is stronger than clinging to the original shape.

This is where Emanuel Lasker’s advice belongs: “When you see a good move, look for a better one!” The first candidate may be the familiar London move, but the better move could be a developing move, a tactical reply or a timely central break.

Responding to Black’s main setups

Against …d5 and …e6, Black often builds a Queen’s Gambit Declined-like structure. White can continue development, watch the pressure on d4 and look for a safe route for the knight to e5. Both sides may castle before the position opens, so patience and piece improvement matter.

Against an Indian-style setup with …Nf6, …g6 and …Bg7, the game can become more flexible. The bishop on d3 may have less scope against a fianchettoed king, so Be2 is a useful alternative. White should not force a kingside attack simply because the opening is associated with one.

If Black plays …c5 early, the centre needs immediate attention. The position may no longer permit the quiet sequence of c3, Nbd2 and Bd3 in that order. Compare the threats, check the safety of d4 and decide whether to hold the centre, exchange or advance.

For study, begin with plans rather than long variations. Play a small set of slow games, write down where the position left your preparation and review the first moment when a pawn break or tactical threat changed the plan. That process teaches more than repeating the same seven moves without asking what they achieve.

Frequently asked questions

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