Countering the London System - Chess Forums

darrenlin08

Jan 9, 2023

0

#1

It seems that as black, one of the most challenging openings my opponents play against me is the London system.. I can't seem to break it and it's one of my worst openings in terms of win percentage (~40%). Any suggestions for simple ways to play against the London?

Toldsted

Jan 9, 2023

0

#2

There are tons of treads on this. An early c5 is to be recommended.

But don't expect to be able to win as Black every time. If White don't want to play it can be hard for Black to win in any opening. Maybe try to ad a more asymmetrical opening as a second choice in games where you foresee this. Like 1.d4 f5 or 1.d4 c5.

CM BL4D3RUNN3R

Jan 10, 2023

0

#3

I would refrain from playing d7-d5 (weak square Xe5). KID setups are just fine.

Ethan_Brollier

Jan 11, 2023

0

#4

BL4D3RUNN3R wrote:

I would refrain from playing d7-d5 (weak square Xe5). KID setups are just fine.

I totally agree. My preferred response to 1. d4 is 1... g6, because the Modern does incredibly well against the London System, it avoids the Queen's Gambit, and I can always transfer to an OID or a KID later.

DiscipleOfKeres

Jan 11, 2023

0

#5

Try 1...Nf6 and 2...b5

Nennerb

Jan 11, 2023

0

#6

Try the hippo

xJonathanx2020

Jan 11, 2023

0

#7

The Accelerated London System set-up can be intimidating at first if (as black) you don’t how to counter or play solid.

In this position black has pushed the e pawn and is threatening exf3 while ignoring white threat bxd6. Normally, as low ranked players black will take white dark squealed bishop. But the point of the game is leave your opponent with not only weaker positions but also with weaker minor pieces.

So, because of this simply advancing the pawn and threatening exf3 puts white in a lot of pressure and forces white to make a decision: to evade the attack or simply trade bishops. Most often than not, white will trade bishops before moving the knight from the threat (which btw, either blocks white from castle or places the knight on a weaker square.

xJonathanx2020

Jan 11, 2023

0

#8

The following is a position that (if not careful) white could end up with, if not played right.

This is strictly why you ignore the bishop threat and push the pawn forward.

zone_chess

Jan 11, 2023

0

#9

One word: queenside.

xJonathanx2020

Jan 11, 2023

0

#10

Here is another position that white can end up with. So, ya see? Pushing the pawn is very powerful move against the London system and there really isn’t anything white can do besides delay castling right and going from kf3.

This is what typically will happen in which, Idk if this happened in your games or not but white usually take the bishop……. Following is an example of how the game could up as, probably white has slight advantage? I’m not too sure

My 2nd advice is to never capture white bishop, because you will almost always open up that rooks H file be under attack until pieces are traded off.

xJonathanx2020

Jan 11, 2023

0

#11

Here is a game I played against the London using the push pawn method and I won. So please take my word for it.

Ethan_Brollier

Jan 13, 2023

0

#12

xJonathanx2020 wrote:

The Accelerated London System set-up can be intimidating at first if (as black) you don’t how to counter or play solid.

In this position black has pushed the e pawn and is threatening exf3 while ignoring white threat bxd6. Normally, as low ranked players black will take white dark squealed bishop. But the point of the game is leave your opponent with not only weaker positions but also with weaker minor pieces.

So, because of this simply advancing the pawn and threatening exf3 puts white in a lot of pressure and forces white to make a decision: to evade the attack or simply trade bishops. Most often than not, white will trade bishops before moving the knight from the threat (which btw, either blocks white from castle or places the knight on a weaker square.

2... e6 is an inaccuracy because nothing is threatening d5 and the DSB has no reason to get out as seen by 3... Bd6, which poses no threat, as a trade only benefits White, 4... Nc6 is an inaccuracy because of how strong c5 is in the London System, 5... e5 pushes that pawn for the second time, so you know it's a bad move, and worse, it blunders the pawn (3 white attackers, 2 black defenders), 6... Bd7 blunders the pawn again and accomplishes nothing in the process, and 7... e4 finally stops blundering a pawn, somehow making the whole plan worthwhile.
PLEASE NEVER PLAY THIS LINE AGAIN! It is +2.5 for White by MOVE SIX!

Ethan_Brollier

Jan 13, 2023

0

#13

There is a fantastic thread which shows Black how to equalize against the London System, and literally none of the moves shown here were played in ANY of those lines. NONE. Just play Nf6/d5 d5/Nf6 c5 Nc6 Qb6 like you know what you're doing. I guarantee you will win more games against London System players than you currently do.

NathanTheNotable

Mar 22, 2024

0

#14

I'm more confused after reading the thread than before. Should I just develop normally?

sleepyzenith

Mar 22, 2024

0

#15

you can just have a different response to 1. d4

something like kid or benoni would work

tygxc

Mar 22, 2024

0

#16

Here is a correspondence game:

pcalugaru

Mar 22, 2024

0

#17

Ethan_Brollier wrote:

xJonathanx2020 wrote:

The Accelerated London System set-up can be intimidating at first if (as black) you don’t how to counter or play solid.

In this position black has pushed the e pawn and is threatening exf3 while ignoring white threat bxd6. Normally, as low ranked players black will take white dark squealed bishop. But the point of the game is leave your opponent with not only weaker positions but also with weaker minor pieces.

So, because of this simply advancing the pawn and threatening exf3 puts white in a lot of pressure and forces white to make a decision: to evade the attack or simply trade bishops. Most often than not, white will trade bishops before moving the knight from the threat (which btw, either blocks white from castle or places the knight on a weaker square.

2... e6 is an inaccuracy because nothing is threatening d5 and the DSB has no reason to get out as seen by 3... Bd6, which poses no threat, as a trade only benefits White, 4... Nc6 is an inaccuracy because of how strong c5 is in the London System, 5... e5 pushes that pawn for the second time, so you know it's a bad move, and worse, it blunders the pawn (3 white attackers, 2 black defenders), 6... Bd7 blunders the pawn again and accomplishes nothing in the process, and 7... e4 finally stops blundering a pawn, somehow making the whole plan worthwhile.
PLEASE NEVER PLAY THIS LINE AGAIN! It is +2.5 for White by MOVE SIX!

You stole my thunder .... I was going to give some analysis saying as much also

xJonathanx2020

Mar 25, 2024

0

#18

In the line above when white plays B4 that is bad because black can sac the knight indirectly for an attack against white rook on A1. Didn’t anyone notice that?? I think I think this move is not a mistake but sacrfising. I think this is a great move!

pcalugaru

Mar 25, 2024

0

#19

xJonathanx2020 wrote:

In the line above when white plays B4 that is bad because black can sac the knight indirectly for an attack against white rook on A1. Didn’t anyone notice that?? I think I think this move is not a mistake but sacrfising. I think this is a great move!

I for one appreciate your excitement for the London... however

When Black reply's 1...d5, the London... IMO "is to close to debate "If" or..... If it is not it's as good as the QGD (i.e. playing 1.d4 2c4 and Nc3) Black equalizes in so many QGD variations. & If the Slav proper is an excellent defense... The London with an extra tempo is pretty darn good.. One is not refuting squat... when it comes to the London when Black plays 1...d5

Ethan_Brollier

Mar 26, 2024

0

#20