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Practice: London vs ...c5

Handling Black's immediate centre challenge

Black challenges the centre immediately with ...c5. White responds with c3 to maintain the pawn structure and develops the queen to b3 to apply pressure on b7 and d5.

1. d4 d5
2. Bf4 c5
3. e3 Nc6
4. c3 Nf6
5. Nd2 Bg4
6. Qb3 Qd7
7. Ngf3 e6
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White plays the same setup against almost anything: Bf4, e3, Nf3, c3, and Bd3. This system requires very little memorisation.
  • The main plan is to build a solid centre with c3 and d4, then attack on the kingside with Ne5, Qf3, and sometimes Bh6.
  • Black often struggles because there is no obvious way to disrupt White's setup. Every Black move has a predictable White response.

Common mistakes & traps

  • One annoying line for White: 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nd2 Bg5! trades bishops and reduces White's attacking potential.
  • The Jobava London (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4) avoids the Bg5 trade and adds new threats. Black who plays ...Nc6 too early can get hit by Nb5.

Pawn structure notes

White has a solid d4-c3-e3 centre with the bishop on f4. White avoids pawn weaknesses and builds a position that is hard to attack. The structure is similar to the Colle but with Bf4 instead of Bd3.

Tips

  • 2...c5 is Black's most principled response — attacking the centre at once
  • White's c3 and e3 keep a solid structure while preparing to develop
  • The Qb3 move creates immediate pressure on d5 and b7, forcing Black to respond carefully

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.