How to Play the London System in Chess

This Instructable will teach you on how to play the London system.

To play the London system, white plays 1.d4

In this example black responded with pushing their pawn to the d5 square, which is what commonly happens. However, this isn't the only response black can dish out, as they can play the Kings Indian Defense playing d6 instead.

D5 is the most common move however, and you shouldn't really worry too much about their move after you play d4.

The next step to this opening is 2.Nf3 Nf6.

This move develops both knights, and defends the pushed pawn. This creates a solid centre, which in turn explains the closed position the London system delves into further on the middle game.

Note that black doesn't have to play the move nf6, but make adaptations to your opening as your opponent plays their move.

The final step to the London system opening is the move 3.Bf4.

This move advances your position and can create potential attacking threats, and defends your knight if you decide to push it to the e5 square.

Now the game is in your hands and you can dictate how you want to play this. Usually, with the London system you want to keep adding layers to your position, by either defending the pawn on d4 or developing your knight and bishop and castling kingside.

And thats a brief summary on the London system.