How Do You Attack With the London System?

By Anna Duncan

The London System is a popular chess opening that is named after the city of London. It is a solid and flexible system that can be played against various defenses by Black. This opening is especially favored by club players and beginners due to its simplicity and ease of play.

If you’re looking to attack with the London System, here’s what you need to know:

Understanding the Basics:
The London System is characterized by the moves 1.d4, 2.Nf3, and 3.Bf4. The idea behind this opening is to control the center of the board with your pawns while developing your pieces harmoniously. The bishop on f4 exerts pressure on Black’s pawn on d6, which can help create weaknesses in Black’s position.

Developing Your Pieces:
One of the key aspects of playing the London System effectively is developing your pieces efficiently. After playing 1.d4, you should follow up with 2.Nf3. This move develops your knight to a central square while also allowing your c-pawn to be moved later on without blocking your knight’s path.

After Nf3, play 3. This move develops your bishop to a strong diagonal where it can put pressure on Black’s position.

One important point to keep in mind when playing this move is that you should avoid blocking your own pawns. Instead, try to develop your e-pawn next so that it supports your bishop and opens up lines for your other pieces.

Once you’ve developed these three pieces, it’s time to castle and start planning your attack.

Attacking with the London System:

There are several ways to attack when playing the London System:

The Pawn Storm:
One popular way to attack with this opening is through a pawn storm on one side of the board. For example, if Black castles kingside, you can push your pawns on the queenside to create weaknesses in Black’s position. This can be especially effective if Black has not yet castled.

The Pin:
Another idea is to use your bishop on f4 to pin Black’s knight on c6. This can make it difficult for Black to develop their pieces and can create opportunities for you to attack.

The Exchange Sacrifice:
In some positions, an exchange sacrifice may be possible. This involves sacrificing a rook for one of Black’s minor pieces (bishop or knight) in order to open up lines for your other pieces and create an attack.

Conclusion:

The London System is a solid and flexible opening that can be used to attack effectively. By understanding the basic ideas behind this opening and developing your pieces efficiently, you can create opportunities for attacking your opponent’s position. Whether it’s through a pawn storm, pinning a piece, or sacrificing material, there are many ways to launch an attack with the London System.