The London System is an opening system in chess that can be used against virtually any black defense and thus comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. Also known as the Mason Variation, it is a line in the Queen’s Pawn Game where White opens with 1.
What is the London opening in chess?
The London System is an opening where White aims to achieve a solid set up by placing his pieces in the same squares, regardless of what moves black plays.
Is the London System a good opening?
London System is safe and solid
It makes this opening a good choice against aggressive and tactical players. Also, you can play it if you don’t feel comfortable in sharp positions and would like to avoid complications.
Why is it called the London System?
The opening is now called the “London System” because it was applied several times in the London 1922 tournament. However, it had been been played much earlier. To get an overview, I consulted the MEGA Database of ChessBase to see all games played with this opening until the end of the 19th century.
What is the weakest chess opening?
Of the twenty possible first moves in chess, author and grandmaster Edmar Mednis argues that 1. f3 is the worst. Grandmaster Benjamin Finegold teaches “Never play f3”.
What is the most offensive chess opening?
4 Most Aggressive Chess Openings That You Should Know
- The Smith-Morra Gambit. This particular defence often leads to a very intriguing and captivating game.
- The Bird’s Opening. This strategy has been ranked as one of the most popular openings.
- Vienna Opening.
- The Italian Game.
- Conclusion.
Is the London System good for white?
The London System is a popular 1. d4 opening for White which has the reputation of being very solid. The London is considered a system because White can play the same basic setup for almost all of Black’s responses.
Can you play the London System against everything?
The London is solid and unaggressive, leaving it to the other player to go wrong at some point. That being said, you can do most anything against it: b6/c5/Bb7, Bf5/c6/e6, c5/e6, g6/Bg7, etc.c5 with Qb6 can be useful to take advantage of the c1 bishop’s absence, much like in the Trompowsky.
Can Black play the London System?
Nf3. Beginners will find it easier to adopt the London System because it is a system-based opening that prioritizes rapid development. Yes, indeed, Black will often reach positions where White has a slight advantage, or the position is theoretically equal.
What is the best opening for black?
The best chess openings for Black are:
- The Scandinavian Defense.
- The Sicilian Defenses (Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Scheveningen)
- The Double King’s Pawn Game (1. e4 e5)
- The Queen’s Gambit Declined.
- The Slav (and Semi Slav) Defense.
- The Dutch Defense.
- The Nimzo-Indian Defense.
- The King’s Indian Defense.
How do you respond to the London System?
Due to the slow development of the London System, you can pick any of the following four variations to play against it, The Stonewall with the f5, e6, d5, and c6 pawn formation. The Leningrad by fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop on g7. Developing the dark-squared bishop to e7 and playing with d6.
What is a system opening?
A “System” opening, normally for the player with the White pieces, is a series of beginning moves that leads to a certain opening formation. Usually you don’t have to react to what your opponent is doing.
What is the best chess opening?
In modern chess, the most popular opening move for white is to immediately bring the king’s pawn forward two spaces. (This is notated as 1. e4.)
Do grandmasters use the London System?
As you can see, the London System is a rich opening and has been successfully used by both Grandmasters and club players. It is a solid opening that allows you to focus on studying games and learning chess, rather than theory.
Is the London System for black or white?
The London System is an opening system in chess that can be used against virtually any black defense and thus comprises a smaller body of opening theory than many other openings. Also known as the Mason Variation, it is a line in the Queen’s Pawn Game where White opens with 1.
What is the rarest move in chess?
Underpromoting to a bishop must be the rarest move in chess. We can easily think of some famous examples of rook promotions (such as the brilliant Saavedra study), and by comparison knight underpromotions happen every day – just think of this opening trap in the Albin Countergambit.
What is the 20 40 40 rule in chess?
Follow 20/40/40 Rule
That’s where 20/40/40 rule comes handy. For an under 2000 rated player, it makes sense to spend 20% of the time on openings, 40% on Middlegame and 40% on Endgame. Besides that, you should play practice games, solve tactics and analyze.
What is the smartest chess opening?
d4 is one of the best opening chess moves for white and is the preferred first move of many World Champions, including Anatoly Karpov. 1. d4 opens the way for the c1 bishop and the queen, although it’s better to develop the other pieces before bringing the queen out.
What is Magnus Carlsen favorite chess opening?
Magnus Carlsen usually plays the standard 2. c4 after playing 1. d4 against both 1… d5 and 1…
What is the most versatile chess opening?
Kings Pawn Opening is the most widely used opening in chess, because of the feature to open up both the light square bishop and the queen at the same time. Also, the pawn grabs for the center, causing tension for black. After moving e4, just develop your minor pieces and you should do fine.
What was Fischer’s favorite opening?
As his first move, Bobby played c4 (English opening, Queen’s Gambit), instead of his favorite & strongest start – e4 (King pawn). Bobby had been the strongest proponent of the e4 start his whole life. But tied at 2.5 – 2.5 points in the world-championship, he made a starting move he had made only two times in his life.