The London System has seen a huge increase in popularity in recent times, from the club to the World Championship level, most likely because it’s an easy opening to learn and is mostly solid. You will also find numerous published works on it – from opening books, online courses, and videos. It is accessible, easy, and downright fun to play.
But enter the new release The London Files by authors GM Vassilios Kotronias and GM Mikhail Ivanov who are challenging this stable notion of the London, and turning it inside out by providing four different ways to combat it as Black:
- King’s Indian Setups
- The London Benoni
- The London Nimzo- and Queen’s Indian
- The London Orthodox System
The book’s foreword asserts that it “will give Black players highly effective means to deal with the London System for a long time to come and may even have players completely rethinking their approach with the white pieces.” A bold statement, and perhaps every comfortable London player’s worst nightmare!
Let’s take a look at what this new book is exactly about.
The London Files Part I: King’s Indian Setups
The first chapter deals with King’s Indian Setups from 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7.
From the above position, the authors examine a few of White’s main approaches:
- 4.Nbd2 with 5.e4
- 4.c4 with 5.Nc3
- 4.c3, 5.h3 with 6.e3
- 4.e3, 5.h3 with 6.Be2
Furthermore, the authors start off by explaining White’s system and how you as Black will aim to face it:
The London Files Part II: The London Benoni
The second option for Black is a good one to use against unprepared opponents, or opponents who prefer quiet and structural starts (which the London tends to provide). Black starts an immediate attack with 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 c5!
White’s main response is 3.e3, but the book also covers White’s other options like:
- 3.dxc5
- 3.c3
- 3.d5
However, what one can really appreciate about this book, is that the authors provide you with different options to choose from – with setups, but also variations within. Such as in the 3.e3 line here, chapter 5 focuses on the complicated and tricky 3…Nd5 line, but another chapter (6) is devoted to the more practical 3…Qb6 variation.
Chapter 10 “The London Hybrid System” looks at the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 (instead of Bf4 first) and continues in the same spirit with 2…c5.
The London Files Part III: The London Nimzo- and Queen’s Indian
Nimzo/Queen’s Indian setups are more positional compared to the King’s Indian, and the book offers setups that fit perfectly within this scope.
Black’s play is labeled “light-square mode” with the idea of exchanging light-squared bishops. The theory given, as throughout the book, is deeply researched and Black achieves a long-term positional advantage. After 3…b6, the lines covered are:
- 4.e3
- 4.c3
- 4.h3
- 4.c4 which becomes a normal Nimzo/Queen’s Indian, but nevertheless the authors devoted an entire chapter to it on the basis of giving the reader a complete repertoire!
The London Files Part IV: The London Orthodox System
The final part of the book covers the most typical London setups following 1.d4 d5. From here, the moves 2.Nf3, 2.Bf4, and 2.c3 are considered.
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5
Black strikes in the center immediately, and the usual …Qb6 sortie is in the cards. From here we see:
- 3.e3 cxd4
- 3.c3 Qb6
- 3.dxc5 Nc6
It is surprisingly easy for White to end up with an uncomfortable pawn structure in some of these lines, or Black gets straightforward (attacking!) play.
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5
From this position, the book considers a few of White’s options but 4.e3 is by far the main continuation and after 4…Nc6, the following moves and variations are thoroughly analyzed:
- 5.Nbd2
- 5.Nc3
- 5.Bb5
- 5.dxc5
- 5.Be2
- 5.c3
White gets their usual London setups in this Orthodox System, but Black too gets comfortable play with a few venomous lines too. You will at times be given more than one approach to choose from, according to your style – as we have seen in the other chapters too.
Overall, this book offers Black so many different options to combat the solid London System, and many lines will take your opponent out of their comfort zone. You can choose lines based on your style, what your opponent plays, or even just your mood!
Have any thoughts or questions? Let us know in the comments!
Don’t miss out on the special introductory offer at forwardchess.com.
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