Exercise 2.1Find the move
White to move
Black has just played ...b6. Find White's most active move.
2
The London System · Kapilash Chess Academy
The Main Line: ...d5, ...Nf6 and ...e6
Black's most solid setup
In this lesson you will learn
- How to set up against the classical ...d5, ...e6, ...♗d6 system
- What to do when Black plays ...c5 and ...♘c6
- When to take on c5 and when to keep the tension
- The ♘e5 plan in its purest form
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
2.1 The Classical Setup
The most common answer to the London is a solid Queen's Gambit setup: ...d5, ...♘f6, ...e6 and ...♗d6. Black hopes to exchange the dark-squared bishops with ...♗d6 and then play ...c5 or ...e5.
Diagram 2.1White to move
Example 2.1 · The main line
Black offers to exchange the dark-squared bishops.
Both moves are good. With ♗g3 White keeps the bishop and is ready to recapture hxg3. Taking on d6 is also fine, but it gives Black an easy game. Most London players choose ♗g3.
2.2 Meeting ...c5
After ...c5 and ...♘c6, Black puts pressure on d4. Your c3–d4–e3 pyramid holds it comfortably. Now you choose a plan. With the knight on d2 you can play ♘e5, or prepare e4 with ♕e2.
Diagram 2.2White to move
Example 2.2 · ...♕c7 and the bishop exchange
Black puts the queen on c7 to support ...e5.
Here 10.dxc5 is a good moment to release the tension: after 10...♗xg3 11.hxg3 White's rook is active on the h-file and the c5-pawn can be supported with b4 or ♘b3. Avoid ♘e5 at the wrong moment: after ...♕c7 Black is ready to take on e5 and the c7-queen eyes the knight.
LessonBefore playing ♘e5, check that the knight is safe there. Count how many black pieces can attack e5 and how many of yours defend it.
2.3 The Ne5 Plan
Diagram 2.3White to move
Example 2.3 · Knight to e5
Black prepares ...♗b7. This is the right moment for the knight jump.
With ...b6 Black has weakened the c6-square and the long diagonal. 10.♘e5 attacks c6 at once. If Black takes on e5, White recaptures with the d-pawn and gains space on the kingside; the knight on f6 must leave and the h7-pawn becomes a target. The alternative 10.e4 is also strong because Black's bishop on c8 is not developed yet.
Remember
- Against ...♗d6, play ♗g3 and keep your bishop.
- Your pyramid c3–d4–e3 holds d4 against ...c5 and ...♘c6.
- Look for ♘e5 when Black's pieces cannot challenge it at once.
- dxc5 is a good way to release the tension when Black's queen is on c7.
Exercises · Lesson 2
Each exercise comes from a real London position. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 2.2Find the move
White to move
Black plays ...c5 before ...♗d6. Support your d-pawn.
Exercise 2.3Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 10...♕xg3. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.4Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 11...♕xg3. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.5Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 11...♕xg3. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.6Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 13...♕xg3. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.7Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 13...♗xd2. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.8Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 13...♕xe4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.9Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 12...dxe4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.10Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 10...♘h5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.11Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 12...♘e5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 2.12Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 7...e5. How does White punish it?