London System
D02/A48White1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4
D02/A48 · 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4
The idea
A low-theory 'system' opening: reliable, solid, and easy to learn. The appeal is that White can aim for the same comfortable set-up — Bf4, e3, Bd3 or Be2, c3, and Nbd2 — against almost anything Black does. You reach a pleasant middlegame without memorizing long forcing lines, which makes it a favourite for players who want to think rather than recite.
Your plan (White)
Build the trademark structure: bishop out to f4 before locking it in, then e3, c3, Nbd2, and a bishop to d3 or e2. Castle, keep the centre firm, and look for the e4 break or a kingside attack with the queen and rooks.
Heading into the middlegame
The London is a setup, so once you've played Bf4–e3–c3–Nbd2 and Bd3, choose a plan. The classic one is a kingside attack: plant a knight on e5 (backed by Nd2–f3 and the f-pawn), aim Bd3 and Qf3/Qe2 at h7, and roll f4 (sometimes g4). The other is the e4 break once it's prepared. Keep your dark-squared bishop healthy — retreat Bg3 rather than trade it. Black's critical counter is ...c5 with ...Qb6 hitting b2; defend calmly (Qc1 or b3) and carry on with your plan.
Lines
0/3 masteredYou build the trademark Bf4, e3, c3, Nbd2 structure and keep the bishop with Bg3, aiming a knight at e5 and your pieces at the kingside.
Get the bishop out to f4 early before ...d6 can hit it, settle into your solid structure, and add h3 to deny Black's pieces the g4-square.
Black's sharpest try hits b2 and d4 with ...c5 and ...Qb6; defend calmly with Qc1 (or b3), hold your structure, and carry on with your usual plan.