Wikibooks

Chess Opening Theory/1. d4/1...Nf6/2. Bf4/2...e6/3. e3/3...d5/4. Nd2/4...c5

< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. d4‎ | 1...Nf6‎ | 2. Bf4‎ | 2...e6‎ | 3. e3‎ | 3...d5‎ | 4. Nd2

London System Main Line with Black ...e6 and ...c5 edit

London System Main Line with Black ...e6 and ...c5
a b c d e f g h
8                 8
7                 7
6                 6
5                 5
4                 4
3                 3
2                 2
1                 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkbnr/pp3ppp/4pn2/2pp4/3P1B2/4P3/PPPN1PPP/R2QKBNR w

Moves: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Nd2 c5

After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bf4 e6 3. e3 d5 4. Nd2 c5, Black opts for a setup reminiscent of the Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD). This approach aims for a solid yet flexible structure, central and queenside counterplay, and harmonious development of pieces:

  1. Solid Central Pawn Structure: With ...e6 and ...d5, Black sets up a strong pawn chain in the center, often making it difficult for White to easily break through.
  2. Challenging White's Center: The move ...c5 directly targets White's central d4 pawn. This pawn break aims to destabilize White's pawn center and create counterplay on the queenside.
  3. Development and King Safety: Black can continue with natural developing moves such as ...Nc6 and ...Bd6, exchanging off White's active dark-squared bishop if possible. Following up with ...O-O ensures the king's safety.
  4. Activating the Light-Squared Bishop: One of Black's challenges in the QGD setup is the passive light-squared bishop on c8. Black can consider plans such as ...b6 and ...Ba6, or even a timely ...e5 pawn break, to free this bishop.
  5. Queenside Counterplay: Using the semi-open c-file, Black can look to increase pressure on the queenside. Rooks can be quickly deployed to the c-file, and pieces like the knight on b8 can be developed to c6, supporting the ...c5 break and increasing pressure on d4.
  6. Central Breaks: Depending on White's setup, Black can consider the ...e5 break in the center, especially if the opportunity arises where the d4 pawn can be targeted.

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nd2 c5

5
Main Line with Black ...e6 and ...c5 c3 =

When contributing to this Wikibook, please follow the Conventions for organization.

References edit

Bibliography edit

 

Wikipedia has related information at London System

Retrieved from "https://en.wikibooks.org/w/index.php?title=Chess_Opening_Theory/1._d4/1...Nf6/2._Bf4/2...e6/3._e3/3...d5/4._Nd2/4...c5&oldid=4339220"