How to beat the London System & Queen's Pawn Game

The London (d4, Bf4, e3, c3) is the club player's favourite: the same set-up against everything. The cure is a plan that targets that fixed set-up.

Three plans that work

1. Hit b2 and d4 early

...c5 with ...Qb6 attacks the b2 pawn when the f4 bishop has left the queenside. Many London players drop a pawn or have to play awkward moves.

2. Challenge the bishop with ...Bd6 or ...Nh5

Trading off the London bishop takes away White's main piece.

3. King's Indian set-ups also work

...g6, ...Bg7, ...d6 and ...e5 leaves the London bishop hitting a brick wall.

A line to play

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nc6 4.c3 Qb6 5.Qb3 c4

The pitfall

Fully symmetrical copies let White play on autopilot.

What the data says

In 480 recent games of the top 100 titled Lichess players featuring the London System & Queen's Pawn Game, they scored 64% on average. Players who use it most: GM NeverEnough (68%), FM Davtyan_Davit (52%), IM Mishka_The_Great (35%), GM NeverEnough (41%), GM nihalsarin2004 (93%), IM StrongKhaganaK1ller (60%), GM sillyMASTER (77%), NM Andrey11976 (46%).

Prepare against the actual player

Averages only go so far. A London System & Queen's Pawn Game player has their own pet variations and weak spots. Before your next game, get a free fingerprint of your opponent, or get the full prep report ($5): every variation they play, where they score worst, and a game plan for both colours.