Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Nf3/2...e6/3. Bf4

London System Indian Setup with Early 2. Nf3
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/4pn2/8/3P1B2/5N2/PPP1PPPP/RN1QKB1R b
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4

London System Indian Setup with a Early 2. Nf3

The London System has evolved significantly since its showcase in the 1922 London tournament. A prominent shift in modern play is the preference for 2.Bf4 instead of the traditional 2.Nf3. Both sides have seen strategic advancements in the London System.

The move order with 2. Nf3 before 3. Bf4 in the London System can be seen as a more flexible way to reach the London System and has its specific advantages and drawbacks.

For a general introduction to the London System, take a closer look at 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4

Advantages:

1. Flexibility: By playing 2. Nf3 first, White keeps more options open. This can be particularly useful if Black opts for setups that may not be best met with the traditional London System. For instance, White can divert into other openings or setups based on Black's moves.
2. Control over e5: Central control, particularly over the e5 and e4 squares, is vital in the London System. The move 2. Nf3 immediately prevents any potential pawn break with ...e5 by Black.
3. Avoiding Immediate Pressure: Certain move orders by Black might put immediate pressure on the d4 pawn (like ...c5 and ...Qb6 setups). The knight on f3 provides additional support to the d4 pawn.

Drawbacks:

1. Delaying the London System's Set-up: The very essence of the London System is rapid and harmonious development, particularly the dark-squared bishop. By playing 2. Nf3 first, White is essentially delaying the typical London setup. By shifting the knight from f3 to d4, White diminishes their hold on the e5 square.
2. When White plays 2.Nf3, it can prompt Black to opt for 2...c5 because the subsequent 3.Bf4 can be met by 3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nd7.
3. Allowing Black's Equalizing Attempts: Black might employ certain systems that challenge White's center more directly before White can establish the typical London System setup.
4. Potential Transpositions: The move 2. Nf3 allows various transpositions into other openings, which could be a disadvantage if the White player is specifically aiming to play the London System and avoid other lines.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. Bf4

	3	4	5	6
London System Main Line with c5	Bf4 d5	e3 c5	c3 Nc6	Nd2	=
London System Transposition Main Line with c5	... c5	e3 d5
Queen's Indian London System Setup	... b6	c4			=

References

• Sedice, Shaun (2022). The London System – Play the Opening as White & Black. chessable.com.
• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.