Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Bf4/2...e6/3. e3/3...d5

London System Main Line with 3. ...e6

London System - Main Base Position
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) rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/4pn2/3p4/3P1B2/4P3/PPP2PPP/RN1QKBNR w
Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 d5

In the London System, White aims for a solid, flexible pawn structure and develops their dark-squared bishop early to f4.

When Black responds with 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 d5 3. e3 e6, they aim for:

• A solid pawn chain in the center while also developing their pieces.
• A straightforward setup that avoids complex theory, making it suitable for amateur players and those familiar with Queen's Gambit Declined structures.
• Achieving a comfortable position and, rather than going for an immediate pawn break, they plan for one in the midgame, allowing for a more positional and strategic battle.

This setup can result in a closed game, and Black might look to expand on the queenside or prepare a central break with ...e5 or ...c5 later in the game. Overall, the setup is about achieving a solid position without entering into deep theoretical battles and also keeping options open for different plans based on how White proceeds.

Theory table

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

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6

	4
Main line with e6	Nd2	=

References

Bibliography

• Hellman, Kamryn (2023). The London System: This Opening Got Me to 1500.
• Henley, Ron W. (2020). The London System - A Legendary Chess Opening For White.
• Nakamura, Hikaru (2023). Learn the London with Hikaru.
• Rozman, Levy (2020). Learn the London System -10-Minute Chess Openings.
• Georgiev, Kiril (2017). Fighting the London System. Chess Stars. ISBN 978-6197188158.
• Johnsen, Sverre; Kovačević, Vlatko (2005). Win with the London System (1st ed.). Gambit Publications. ISBN 978-1904600350.
• Lakdawala, Cyrus (2010). Play the London System. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-857-44639-5.
• 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.

• Sedlak, Nikola (2016). Winning with the Modern London System. Chess Evolution. ISBN 978-83-944290-9-6.