The Benoni Defense can also transpose to other openings named in this article like the QID or Old Indian Defense. After c5, White needs to play c3 to try to get into London System positions which can be beneficial for Black in some lines. I think it is a good opening against the London System because it aims to disrupt White’s plan from the beginning of the game. It is a very trendy opening among beginners to advanced players, and it is seldom played at the very top level. The Benoni Defense can be reached by either playing c5 in move one or playing Nf6 and then c5 in move two. Need to be prepared to White’s main response 2.d5.Option 1: Play The King’s Indian Defenseġ.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 3.e3 d6 Snipped from Chessbase 15 However, I think that your chances of breaking the London System may increase by playing something in which the London System player cannot get his or her desired positions. If well prepared, Black can get playable positions as well. Keep in mind though, there is nothing wrong with going for the main lines with 1… d5 against the London System. Let’s finally look at ways Black can play against London System players so that either completely avoid the London System formation or get a version of the London System in which White’s typical plans cannot be put into practice. You can see how the game might continue if Black tries to play the London System in the diagram below. Although Black gets similar positions to the London System on this line, White has ways to benefit from its first-mover advantage. If White plays 1.d4, Black can play the Slav Defense with Bf5.The positions arising from the Caro-Kann are usually rock-solid. Black often proceeds to develop its bishop to f5 to play e6. This variation constructs a pawn formation similar to the London System by playing c6 and d5 in the first couple of moves. If White plays 1.e4, Black can play the Caro-Kann.Let’s look at the two possible ways Black can get such a formation. Black can try to get a pawn formation similar to the London System. White often breaks the center with the e4 pawn push under the right conditions. The typical plan in the London System is placing a knight on e5 along with pushing the pawn f4 for further protection. White often tries to play around the light-squares facing the Black king that is often castled short. White often overprotects the d4 pawn with the c and e pawn while getting the dark-squared bishop out of the pawn chain. The London System formation sets a rock-solid center pawn structure in which White pieces play around harmonically. According to my database, this opening was first played in the late 19th century. Although it is a popular opening for beginners to advanced players, it is also played at the top level from time to time. The London System is the name for a group of openings that develop the dark-squared bishop to f4 and avoid breaking the center with c4. What is the London System? Snipped from Chessbase 15 If you want to know more openings options, check out my article on the best opening for beginners. White often develops all pieces in the first ten moves to get ready to launch an attack on the enemy king. Therefore, I believe that the London System is a good opening for beginners because it applies the opening principles of controlling the center, developing pieces, and the king’s safety. It also allowed me to beat stronger players without worrying about getting caught in opening prep. I was able to win plenty of games with White without spending a lot of time studying openings and rather focusing on calculation and strategy. When I first started playing chess, I used to play the London System with a lot of success. Without any more to say, let’s get started.
In this post, I decided to share ten openings that avoid the typical London System formation, along with answers to some of the most typical questions about this opening. Thus, it is essential to find an opening to take London System players out of their comfort zone.
From beginners to grandmasters, the London System is considered a very solid variation in which White often gets a playable position with little to no risk of losing. The London System is a popular opening among chess players.