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London System
Beginnerwhite repertoire·5 parts
A simple, reliable way to play with the white pieces. You build a small, sturdy wall of pawns in the center and bring your dark-squared bishop out to a good square before locking that wall in place — so it stays active instead of getting trapped behind your own pawns. The big appeal: you set up almost the same way no matter what your opponent does. There's no pile of theory to memorize. Once your pieces are out, you plant a knight in the heart of their position and use it to launch your attack.
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Key Strategic Ideas
Before diving into specific lines, we look at the 6 core White ideas that underpin every London variation. The London is a system — the same setup works against most Black replies, which is exactly what makes it so popular at club level.