The London System: Essential Theory, TRAPS to Win Fast

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The London System chess opening became widely popular in the last 10 years or so. Therefore, you definitely have to be ready to face it, at least when you are playing Black. And maybe after watching this video, you would consider playing it as White after learning about the different ways to crush Black. :)

The London System arises after the moves like this: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 e6 4.e3 and then 5.c3. In this setup, the rock-solid pawn structure in the center really secures White from any early attacks by Black.

Also, the setup can be played virtually against any replies of Black, which makes it appealing for a lot of players to play it as White, as you don't need to study any theory. White can simply play the same setup over and over again.

In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches you the general theory of this opening for White, key attacking ideas, interesting traps, and also, how to play the London System as Black.

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► Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:18 What is the London System?
01:07 Game-1: Sharp attack
03:33 Game-2: Deadly trap
05:03 The winning continuation
06:52 Even Carlsen fell for this trap
08:14 Trap the Black's queen
09:01 Another trap if Black plays Qxb2
11:11 Bxh7+ sac and tactical ideas
15:05 How to play against the London System as Black?
18:12 The double pin
20:39 Final quiz for you

#IgorNation #LondonSystem #ChessOpenings

[k.p.]

Dear Igor, I'm a Black homeschooling mom who recently bought your Remote Chess Academy course for my 11 year old son. I just wanted to share my customer testimonial here.

1. My child diligently watches and studies every video. As a result, his ELO has climbed 200 points in just the first two weeks! You've made him believe he can achieve 2000.

2. The "3 Steps to 2000 ELO" course cost us $97 USD and considering how much my spouse & I have invested in his chess classes (alot!), we would've gladly paid more. It is worth so much more! So it is incredibly kind of you to make your courses affordable to many viewers.

3. I bought your course because I became a fan on YouTube after you thoroughly explained the London System. As a bonus, (and this may seem trivial to those who can't relate) I once heard you use the pronoun "she" as a default to describe an imaginary chess player in one of your scenarios.

This gave me a sense of your character. You are inclusive and welcoming to all newcomers to the game, which is currently heavily male-dominated. We want our son to exhibit this quality too.

You're awesome and I will continue to spread the word to other parents. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You're inspiring the next generation of chess players.😊

[stevepalazzola]

Been playing with the London for 3 months. Have gone from a 750 to just under 1200. I love this opening.

[Spirit]

Bf7+ Kxf7 followed by Ng5+. If King goes to e8 or f8, Ne6 wins the Queen. If King goes to g8, Ne6 Qf8 followed by Nxc2 wins the rook.

[zoltanskultety]

These videos are the ones I needed. They show the theory but most importantly the plans to get your advantage from common mistakes your opponent can do.

[sharpsbattle]

I’m stuck at around 600. Thanks for explaining the different options for the London. This is exactly what I needed! Also, thanks for saying why you would or would not move certain pieces. It’s difficult when starting out knowing WHY you are making those moves. You’re the best!

[REKKnives]

I love your videos! Love how you explained both how to play the London and how to defend against it! 👍

[pawnpusher]

I like the way you elaborated clearly on the London System!

[podunkest]

Fantastic video. Really underrated channel for aspiring players. Showing how to play vs the London is really helpful, not just playing as black against it but to really see how your opponent might beat you when youre playing the London. Won four games in a row tonight while studying some of your content and actually saw a really cool mate in 4. Subbed!

[emmanuelchibisa]

And as for the last quiz it's Bxf7+, Kxf7; Ng5+ then if Ke8 then Ne6 will win the Q and the same thing happens when Kf8, Ne6 kisses the Q goodbye. So, black has 1 move to avoid all this mess which is Kg8 then you still go Ne6 and this the time Q goes to e8 which is the only safe square then you play Nxc7 forking the queen and the rook when the Queen moves you can grab the rook and if there's a better line than this then I'll keep digging until I find it too

[ChallHatt]

As someone who plays the London System as white frequently this video is like a goldmine

[suryavoroy]

Ne4 idea is superb in Bg3 line with Qc7 pressure ! plus poisoned pawn on b2 with idea of Na4! Nc3-> Nb5 idea also great! To deal as black play fianchetto->play c5 Nfe7 with idea if e5!!! -> most london system lines involves Ne5!

[youisdumb]

At 10:54 you could also go Ne5 and if the king captures your other knight you can go Nd3, which is a discovered check that wins the queen.

[arnabbose]

You are a brilliant chess teacher. Excellent

[bigchillinpodcast]

Been playing knight to B5 religiously with super results at the 900-1000 level. Wanted to find extra tactics and this was perfect

[WhistlingRabbit]

This is a good video but a few things are left out of the white response to the black defense. Chess is an adaptive game...After 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 3 Bf4 g6 4 e3 Bg7 white does not have to continue routinely with 5 c3. Other options are 5 c4, 5 Nc3. Also after 5...O-O the white king bishop bites stone on d3 and is better with 6 Be2 to support h4, h5 after Ne5. 😉

[michaelmallin]

Best London Video. And so complete, ending with a black counter attack.

[almightygus]

Great overview. You answered so many "what if?" questions about the London.

[adiluddin]

14:41 I don’t understand how you kill the black pawn afterwards?

[sufyanraza]

I started learning London some time ago and I saw several videos to learn it. This is by far the best one . Great job (Y)

[hanyshawky]

Beautiful video about the London system! Thank you Igor 👌