The London System
A complete 1.d4 repertoire with surprise weapons · by Kapilash Chess Academy
One setup against almost every defence: d4, Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, Bd3 and Nbd2. Learn the plans, the critical lines against ...c5 and ...Qb6, the sharp h4 surprise against ...g6, and the traps that win games. Every line in this course has been checked with a chess engine.
Lessons
-
1
The London System in One Lesson — One setup, clear plans, no theory overloadOpen →
Why the London is a strong surprise weapon for club and rated players; the basic setup and the right move order; the three plans you will use in almost every game; why the bishop goes to f4 before the e-pawn moves.
-
2
The Main Line: ...d5, ...Nf6 and ...e6 — Black's most solid setupOpen →
How to set up against the classical ...d5, ...e6, ...Bd6 system; what to do when Black plays ...c5 and ...Nc6; when to take on c5 and when to keep the tension; the Ne5 plan in its purest form.
-
3
The Critical Test: ...c5 and ...Qb6 — Defending b2 the London wayOpen →
Why ...Qb6 is the most dangerous idea against the London; the answer 5.Qb3 and what happens after ...c4; why grabbing b2 often loses for Black; the trap 6...Bf5? 7.Qxf5!.
-
4
The Mirror: ...Bf5 Systems — When Black copies your bishopOpen →
Two ways to meet ...Bf5: Bd3 and c4; why exchanging light-squared bishops is fine for White; the c4 and Qb3 idea against b7; how to avoid tactics on b2 when Black plays ...Bb4+.
-
5
King's Indian Setups — The calm way: h3, Be2 and castleOpen →
How to set up against ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...d6; why h3 is useful: a retreat square for the bishop; meeting ...c5 and ...e5; when to exchange on c5.
-
6
Surprise Weapon: the h-Pawn Attack — h4–h5 against ...g6Open →
Why h4–h5 is dangerous against a fianchettoed king; the sacrifice Rxh5 to open the h-file; when Black should not take on h5; how to keep the attack going after the sacrifice.
-
7
...g6 with ...d5: the Nb5 Idea — A Jobava-style twistOpen →
How Nc3 and Nb5 hit c7 against the Grünfeld setup; why ...Na6 is often forced; exchanging on a6 to damage Black’s pawns; returning to a normal London setup.
-
8
Queen's Indian Setups and the Dutch — ...b6 and ...f5Open →
How to set up against ...e6, ...b6 and ...Bb7; why h3 and Bd3 work well against a fianchetto on b7; meeting the Dutch with Bf4, e3 and Nf3; the e4 break against the Dutch.
-
9
Middlegame Plans: the Kingside Attack — Ne5, Qf3, Qh5 and the Greek giftOpen →
How the knight on e5 and the queen build a kingside attack; why Black must be careful with ...Nf6 moving away; the bishop sacrifice on h7 in London positions; how to bring the rook into the attack.
-
10
Middlegame Plans: the Centre and the Queenside — The e4 break and play on the queensideOpen →
When to play the e4 break; what to do when Black closes the queenside with ...c4; how to use the b4 lever and the minority idea; simplifying into a better endgame.
-
11
Traps in the London — For White — and against WhiteOpen →
The b2 traps after ...Qb6; the ...Nh5 trick against the bishop on f4; tactics against an early ...Qa5+; how to avoid the most common traps for White.
-
12
Test Yourself — Mixed positions from every chapterOpen →
Thirty mixed London positions where Black has just made a natural mistake: find the move that punishes it.