Exercise 11.1Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 9...♕xg2. How does White punish it?
11
The London System · Kapilash Chess Academy
Traps in the London
For White — and against White
In this lesson you will learn
- The b2 traps after ...♕b6
- The ...♘h5 trick against the bishop on f4
- Tactics against an early ...♕a5+
- How to avoid the most common traps for White
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.
11.1 Traps That Win for White
These positions come straight from the opening. Each one starts with a natural Black move that is a mistake. Study the ideas, then solve the exercises: you will meet these patterns again and again.
Diagram 11.1White to move
Example 11.1 · The queen trap on b2
Black has grabbed the b2-pawn too early.
The knight on d5 hits c7, and the rook on a8 falls. Remember the pattern: when Black's queen is on b2 and the c7-pawn is weak, look for ♘b5 or ♘xd5 and ♘c7+.
11.2 Traps Against White
The London is solid, but there are a few traps for White to avoid. The most important one: never leave your bishop on f4 without a retreat when Black can play ...♘h5. Play h3 in time, or retreat to g3 before Black's knight arrives.
LessonBefore every move in the opening, check b2 and check your bishop on f4. These are the two weak points of the London.
Remember
- ...♕xb2 is often punished by ♘b5 or ♘xd5 and ♘c7+.
- Give your f4-bishop a retreat with h3.
- Check b2 before every move once your bishop has left c1.
Exercises · Lesson 11
Each exercise comes from a real London position. Find the best move, then play it on the board.
Exercise 11.2Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♕xa4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.3Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♕xb5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.4Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♕xb1. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.5Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♕xd4. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.6Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 7...♕xb2. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.7Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 9...♘c5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.8Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 6...♘xc5. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.9Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 4...♘a6. How does White punish it?
Exercise 11.10Find the move
White to move
Black has just played 4...♘e4. How does White punish it?