The London System: Essential Theory, TRAPS to Win Fast

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✅ 5 Best Chess Opening Traps in the Queen's Gambit - • 5 Best Chess Opening T...
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The London System chess opening became widely popular in the last 10 years or so. Therefore, you definitely have to be ready to face it, at least when you are playing Black. And maybe after watching this video, you would consider playing it as White after learning about the different ways to crush Black. :)
The London System arises after the moves like this: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 e6 4.e3 and then 5.c3. In this setup, the rock-solid pawn structure in the center really secures White from any early attacks by Black.
Also, the setup can be played virtually against any replies of Black, which makes it appealing for a lot of players to play it as White, as you don't need to study any theory. White can simply play the same setup over and over again.
In this video lesson, GM Igor Smirnov teaches you the general theory of this opening for White, key attacking ideas, interesting traps, and also, how to play the London System as Black.
▬▬▬▬▬▬
► Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:18 What is the London System?
01:07 Game-1: Sharp attack
03:33 Game-2: Deadly trap
05:03 The winning continuation
06:52 Even Carlsen fell for this trap
08:14 Trap the Black's queen
09:01 Another trap if Black plays Qxb2
11:11 Bxh7+ sac and tactical ideas
15:05 How to play against the London System as Black?
18:12 The double pin
20:39 Final quiz for you
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#IgorNation #LondonSystem #ChessOpenings
Sound effect from www.zapsplat.com

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

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[@mllover8689]

Hello, I will join you Masterclass after 1 month. And I like your videos very much and I will like to your videos.

[@EarthSurferUSA]

At min 6:13, How do you think the best play would be if black queen went to d3 to protect h7. That move would stop the check mate I think. Even if the white rook slid to the king to threaten the black queen, the queen then then move to g6. If the white queen did not back off, they would trade queens. It is amazing how fast this game can change direction.

[@christiansiebert4834]

@@EarthSurferUSA you can play e4 to diconnect the queen from h7. If black takes with the pawn, Qh7 is mate and the queen can not take the e4 pawn because its protected by the knight

[@k.p.2706]

Dear Igor, I'm a Black homeschooling mom who recently bought your Remote Chess Academy course for my 11 year old son. I just wanted to share my customer testimonial here. 1. My child diligently watches and studies every video. As a result, his ELO has climbed 200 points in just the first two weeks! You've made him believe he can achieve 2000. 2. The "3 Steps to 2000 ELO" course cost us $97 USD and considering how much my spouse & I have invested in his chess classes (alot!), we would've gladly paid more. It is worth so much more! So it is incredibly kind of you to make your courses affordable to many viewers. 3. I bought your course because I became a fan on KZbin after you thoroughly explained the London System. As a bonus, (and this may seem trivial to those who can't relate) I once heard you use the pronoun "she" as a default to describe an imaginary chess player in one of your scenarios. This gave me a sense of your character. You are inclusive and welcoming to all newcomers to the game, which is currently heavily male-dominated. We want our son to exhibit this quality too. You're awesome and I will continue to spread the word to other parents. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You're inspiring the next generation of chess players.😊

[@haroldsneed]

I get it women are not dominating but lady men have to dominate or we all starve. Get it ? You're not going to kill anything but nature itself. Raise our kids and give me attention when needed and I'll teach you anything.

[@DiabolicalHater]

this is literally just an advertisement for his course. you aren't a real person, and it's sad that so many people still fall for this sentimental bs

[@d4ne1gh_val]

that's so sweet to hear, W mum.

[@viktor-reznov]

I am a white man

[@rvalletti1]

Thank goodness she shared her skin color...

[@stevepalazzola7651]

Been playing with the London for 3 months. Have gone from a 750 to just under 1200. I love this opening.

[@pankajrohaj]

How do you tackle the middle game from London system or if the opponent plays the london system as well? I did get some good success with the London system but have gone backwards in the last month. Please advice

[@akanksha6222]

Learn the c4 line in lon London like queen's Gambit basically called symmetrical London​@@pankajrohaj

[@theNfl_Esq]

How long did it take to get to 700 from 0? Or have you been playing a while?

[@brandonoconnor7876]

You dont start at 0 lol @@theNfl_Esq

[@SasukeAvenges]

Any tips? I've lost 200 elo trying the london.

[@0Spirit111]

Bf7+ Kxf7 followed by Ng5+. If King goes to e8 or f8, Ne6 wins the Queen. If King goes to g8, Ne6 Qf8 followed by Nxc2 wins the rook.

[@oneandonlym8095]

@@gpuretic Right and also Qe8 instead of Qf8

[@Martin_Ditzel]

Final Quiz @ 20:42 Bf7+ forcing the King to move and loose the right to castle: Kxf7. Ng5+. if King goes to e8 or f8; then, Ne6(+) wins the Queen. If King goes to g8; then, Ne6 Qe8. Nxc7 forks the Queen on e8 and Rook on a8.

[@user-bk1xy5gt4b]

@@Martin_Ditzel after that this position is unclear. The white knight has no where to go after catching the rook, and white would've moved many times the knight. So, they would have many moves to finish the development of the rest of pieces.

[@towkirshuvo97]

@@oneandonlym8095 And also Nxc7 instead of Nxc2.

[@imbaLULZ]

@@user-bk1xy5gt4b you just leave the knight there. you won. material.

[@zoltanskultety9652]

These videos are the ones I needed. They show the theory but most importantly the plans to get your advantage from common mistakes your opponent can do.

[@darkhorse2reign]

And it's not even like they are really "mistakes" because they seem like natural moves for the opponent.

[@monkey-balls4324]

@@darkhorse2reign they *SEEM* normal but are mistakes because they're plays resulting in negative outcomes...

[@AH-dd4wj]

@@monkey-balls4324 sounds like my ex wife

[@ChallHatt]

As someone who plays the London System as white frequently this video is like a goldmine

[@michaelmay3712]

Game changing video for us london system users

[@SasukeNaruto155]

I wholly agreed!

[@bigchillinpodcast]

Been playing knight to B5 religiously with super results at the 900-1000 level. Wanted to find extra tactics and this was perfect

[@sharpsbattle]

I’m stuck at around 600. Thanks for explaining the different options for the London. This is exactly what I needed! Also, thanks for saying why you would or would not move certain pieces. It’s difficult when starting out knowing WHY you are making those moves. You’re the best!

[@rickiespanish8422]

What’s your rating now?

[@sharpsbattle]

@@rickiespanish8422 639 😅

[@asianpopart2785]

I'm playing for like 2 months and still stuck at 500 😶

[@sharpsbattle]

@@asianpopart2785 Yeah chess is tough. I feel like you have to memorize a lot of traps to be good. Traps you can put your opponent in and traps to avoid.

[@weemcast]

Looked to see if this was updated and it seems it was 11 days ago. I'm also stuck right now, low to mid 600's. Now I'm back to the learning/lessons again, haha (Responded a second ago and lost it somehow).

[@emmanuelchibisa9132]

And as for the last quiz it's Bxf7+, Kxf7; Ng5+ then if Ke8 then Ne6 will win the Q and the same thing happens when Kf8, Ne6 kisses the Q goodbye. So, black has 1 move to avoid all this mess which is Kg8 then you still go Ne6 and this the time Q goes to e8 which is the only safe square then you play Nxc7 forking the queen and the rook when the Queen moves you can grab the rook and if there's a better line than this then I'll keep digging until I find it too

[@reaperxapollo1439]

Did you ever find anything better?

[@MoneySuccesswithAndy]

Brilliant line well done.

[@JuliusNkabirwa]

Yes but that looses two minor pieces for a rook and pawn,do u think it is ideal? May be depriving the king from it's castling position is an achievement??!!

[@podunkest]

Fantastic video. Really underrated channel for aspiring players. Showing how to play vs the London is really helpful, not just playing as black against it but to really see how your opponent might beat you when youre playing the London. Won four games in a row tonight while studying some of your content and actually saw a really cool mate in 4. Subbed!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Great! We are glad you liked them.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

► Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:18 What is the London System? 01:07 Game-1: Sharp attack 03:33 Game-2: Deadly trap 05:03 The winning continuation 06:52 Even Carlsen fell for this trap 08:14 Trap the Black's queen 09:01 Another trap if Black plays Qxb2 11:11 Bxh7+ sac and tactical ideas 15:05 How to play against the London System as Black? 18:12 The double pin 20:39 Final quiz for you

[@SasukeNaruto155]

Thank you Igor!

[@suryavoroy3527]

Ne4 idea is superb in Bg3 line with Qc7 pressure ! plus poisoned pawn on b2 with idea of Na4! Nc3-> Nb5 idea also great! To deal as black play fianchetto->play c5 Nfe7 with idea if e5!!! -> most london system lines involves Ne5!

[@youisdumb4444]

At 10:54 you could also go Ne5 and if the king captures your other knight you can go Nd3, which is a discovered check that wins the queen.

[@jean-charlesfidinde8131]

My thoughts exactly! Another trap in a trap!

[@hanyshawky1467]

Beautiful video about the London system! Thank you Igor 👌

[@REKKnives]

I love your videos! Love how you explained both how to play the London and how to defend against it! 👍

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You're welcome!

[@pawnpusher782]

I like the way you elaborated clearly on the London System!

[@0hopscotch0]

Thank you for the video.. i also appreciate the additional counter part you added in.

[@michaelmallin1]

Best London Video. And so complete, ending with a black counter attack.

[@rachelamongus]

This really helped, I always wanted to learn more in depth london system tactics and tricks.

[@mobmle9680]

Thank you very much! Really great content!

[@miljannyjets]

Love this video. Beautifully explained structure

[@ChristianSoschner]

Excellent explanation. Thanks for sharing

[@SEAKPhotog]

Great lesson. Thank you.

[@adiluddin792]

14:41 I don’t understand how you kill the black pawn afterwards?

[@willsnwokedi9048]

It is a move called 'En Passant' It means you can use a pawn to take your enemy pawn if it has just moved two squares forward in one go and ended up next to you.

[@almightygus]

Great overview. You answered so many "what if?" questions about the London.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@elizabeth4689]

Great video on the traps, been playing this opening and it brought me up from 300 to 600 and felt like I was missing how to attack

[@arnabbose3256]

You are a brilliant chess teacher. Excellent

[@SuperRoss33]

thanks for sharing Igor , instant help in developing strategies !!!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@geminirox8635]

i play the london almost exclusively as white and I struggle a ton with early queen aggression from black

[@Kenjitsuka]

Awesome video: subscribed!

[@janpouwels5268]

thanks for these explanations. Kamsky vs Shankland , you suggested to take on d7 instead of Rd1, ( instead Re8 what you played, it was Rd8 ), so then Rd1 is the best move.

[@mohammedbadrhussin526]

thanks man really helped

[@jonasherman9195]

Great detailed video! I think you forgot to mention that at 03:09 the king also can go to f6 and then you can checkmate with bisshop g5

[@WhistlingRabbit]

This is a good video but a few things are left out of the white response to the black defense. Chess is an adaptive game...After 1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 d5 3 Bf4 g6 4 e3 Bg7 white does not have to continue routinely with 5 c3. Other options are 5 c4, 5 Nc3. Also after 5...O-O the white king bishop bites stone on d3 and is better with 6 Be2 to support h4, h5 after Ne5. 😉

[@peterk9961]

Awsome, easy to digest essentials

[@erikalamprecht9735]

You are great. Good job Sir, I thank you :)

[@patsave]

brilliant analysis !

[@SimplifiedPie]

9:53 POV: You've finally arrived in this position, and you're excited as you'll be able to sacrifice a rook soon. However in the corner of the screen you see it says "London System: Poisoned Pawn Variation", you instantly become vexed, as your opponent noticed it too. Waking back up to reality you realize, it was cannon event all along. You accept this, however you are no longer vexed, you feel calm as you know your opponent is most likely going to resign as they don't know what to do now against the London System.

[@sufyanraza5273]

I started learning London some time ago and I saw several videos to learn it. This is by far the best one . Great job (Y)

[@omidbahramzadegan8310]

Best explanation of the London System. Thank you!

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad it was helpful!

[@osmanabdallah8383]

Very nice explanation keep baring such as games thank you A lot for your exertion

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Welcome!

[@nickyork8901]

Wow, brilliant video, thanks a lot.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you liked it!

[@abhishekmodak6984]

Nice video.Thanks for sharing.i love to play london.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Good luck!

[@asdeEducation]

great video!

[@josephsalmonte4995]

Great video. *STILL* a huge fan of the evil laughter 👍

[@konfaibin4771]

Thanks for the video sir..

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You're welcome!

[@thomasnadeakchannel7342]

Good ,thanks

[@racine09]

very clearly stated - thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thanks for watching!

[@skinnysuge9188]

@@GMIgorSmirnov in the trap you showed at 8:59 wouldnt black be able to move Queen to b4, check the king and then sacrifice the pawn in b6 to move the bishop to a6 and checkmate? Im new in chess so its a theory i made up to defend the queen

[@guyza123]

Lovely video

[@vikrammgadge6336]

Awesome bro

[@prodigy5476]

Excellent video

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Thank you very much!

[@philshumble6954]

Totally underrated but helpful like wow thanks

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you think so!

[@mrfrankdog1234]

Taking the rook on a1 is definitely the better move. Going for the second rook on Ne5 is easily defused by e4. You lose the advantage completely. If you take both rooks you are going to lose both knights and have a lost position. Both rooks cannot be captured without losing the bishop on f4 making the move Ng5 tempo losing at best. If you sacrifice the bishop and take both rooks, the knight on a8 is has no escape squares and must be traded for a pawn, and the knight on h8 without any escape squares will either be captured without compensation or similar black compensation will be had elsewhere on the board.

[@saiesasrikarkommaraju736]

Please join my tournament

[@sahaswimalasena8532]

Thank you very much for this valuable content. I learn that traps in London and also how anti london gameplay could affect me👍

[@tommythompson7941]

"Let's go Bran-don!"

[@arijit027]

Great video for beginners like me. If you make same type of video on King's Indian defence for black side it would be very helpful to me and others. Liked and subscribed :)

[@RobHealey]

I've watched several vids on the London system. Yours is the best because you explain well and don't waste time. Thank you very much. I've subscribed.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

You are very welcome

[@alexmarshall8626]

I'm never going to lose again!!! ...loses 4 games straight :(

[@Ayubkdkisitu_ug_usa]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@cwoodside907]

@1:50 Mr..Smirnov, how are bishops stronger than Knights? I’ve triple forked with check with a knight and I had two rooks and a queen for the taking. The queen left. However, those positions aren’t attainable with Bishops. At least, none that I know how to achieve. I am a huge advocate for your channel Igor! You are highly reccomnded by me in my Chess community

[@AishwaryaPratimRabha]

thanks

[@clintloranrand951]

Спасибо, фантастик

[@ogunronbitaiwofisayo6085]

Bxf7+ Kxf7, Ng5+ and Ne6 winning the queen

[@jindrichzapletal5822]

My favorite trap in the London system: 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 c5 3. e3 Nc6 4. c3 cd 5. ed f6 6. Bd3? e5 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Bxg6+ hg 9. Qxh8 ef 10. Qxg8 Bf5 and White is nearly lost even though he played the most natural moves under the sun and is an exchange and pawn up

[@mathildewesendonck7225]

I don’t get it, why is white lost? I set it up, but I can’t see any real danger, especially if white castles

[@jindrichzapletal5822]

@@mathildewesendonck7225 Yes, the point of any trap is that it is not obvious. The problem is that Black is ready for Qe7+, after which White will not castle, while Black will long castle and trap the Qg8. Try it for yourself or ask a comp. I think the people who fall into this cannot believe what is happening to them

[@ChaiKirbs]

black is probably winning here, but it is a very tricky position for black to play.

[@ashwath123456]

Thanks for the video! @14:45, not clear how white can capture pawn at f5 with white pawn at e5.

[@ashwath123456]

Wow didn’t know about en passant when I made that comment : D

[@Nuffsed81]

8:00 Yet still Magnus win the game after the Pawn push lol

[@keithgoblue]

I wanted to go Ng5, thinking that it didn't matter how white responded because Nf7 forks the queen and the rook. However, if white pushes the pawn to d3, it foils the idea.

[@brucebutler2746]

BXF7+, KXB, NG5+, KE8, NE6, any move, NXQ

[@niravapurv4578]

Ke8 is a blunder, black has to play Kg8 ofc.

[@stevepalazzola7651]

As a 1200 I rarely see players defend with c5 and c6.

[@mikekeenan8450]

Seems to me like the London System is quite similar to the Colle System, except that it doesn't suck.

[@AnthonyHotBreadLIVE]

Bf7 and it’s a winning position for white, took me a few minutes to find it, but with this move, you win the Queen or one of the rook (my answer for the final quizz btw haha)

[@prabeshk143s]

8:55 Fucking genius

[@KamalEddarraji]

Super System

[@lacmv]

Maybe : Bxf7+ Kxf7 Ng5+ Kg8 Ne6 Qe8 Nxc7 followed by Nxa8

[@exilityl5054]

Its so hard playing this because black dont plat the line

[@haffey81]

@14:40 you show black playing pawn f5 then whites pawn moves diagonally to f6? What am I missing?

[@kiarashjaghoory5773]

it is called en passant

[@akdevendraswamy141]

BxP ch!! Winning Queen or a8 R with along with pawns

[@vikeshtoppo933]

Good video on London system . I like to play London system mainly. Thank you for showing the traps in London system.

[@GMIgorSmirnov]

Glad you enjoyed

[@lanares194]

The second one after queen h5 treatening mate in 1, black queen can block it with qd3 right?

[@aa.music.production]

I never got the idea why london is strong but everyone talks about it all the time but i do now.

[@thomast.j7874]

At 5:19 is push the pawn forward it would be a fork

[@prawnydagrate]

8:04 - the fact that magnus still won lol (it shows "0-1")

[@Yaj.33]

7:02 Whats black opening called?

[@jonbudi]

terima kasih

[@RaviRavi-kr2bl]

At 2.49 sec if black play h3 thn how deal plz say sure

[@thetruths7389]

12:59, is it better for White Nxf6 to get Queen or checkmate next move?

[@clerigobenjo]

14:19, bxe5 if queen takes nf3 discovered check wins the queen. If Knight takes it doesnt really work but if u want to trade then go nf6 u win the queen and the rook possibly on a8, edit : u cant take the rook because nxg4

[@alainsavard8373]

10:52 Ng5 equalize. Better to play Nxa8 right away.

[@matteoalberi6293]

7:31 what if black plays Qa5+

[@Undertale3434]

I cant remember every move but this help me win against a trainer thankksss

[@thedee4040]

I mean some of the traps are the jobava london and the others are the normal london. Does it all just class as the london system and os it good to learn both?

[@davidmasse2829]

Everyone at chess club always plays the London against me . I like the ideas for black .

[@gm2407]

So the trap is to perform a fried liver attack but in the London. Bonus points for Black not being able to respond with the standard counter lines such as the traxler.

[@choepatenzin5973]

14:19 Qg4 is actually good i think, Qg4, Ne5, Bf4 takes Ne5 Qc7 takes Bf4 Then Nf2 discovered check by queen and hitting the queen.

[@fuadadam1126]

no. after Bf4 takes Ne5, Nd7 takes Be5 (instead of taking with queen). then u cant do the discovered check because the second Ne5 is hitting the queen.

[@aryalavoji6894]

10:12 what should you do if the opponent’s queen takes ur knight

[@sirwilfried]

Ok, Maby the idea is Bxf7+ Kxf7 and now Ng5 + try to jump to e6 and attack the Queen and now c7 is under attack what wins the quality!?

[@Mosa_gio]

14:40 i think theres a problem with the move u done, seems illegal, am i wrong?

[@gabrielknight553]

bxf7 check +Ng5 check + Nc7 fork

[@ap2290]

In game 1 why wouldn’t black go H6 instead of g6? The line white takes after g6 makes sense but I don’t see great attacks after h6 unless I’m missing something. I feel like the king and rook for black could both evade at that point after h6

[@ZEUSAIMIGHTY]

Pawn teleport @ 15:45 😂

[@robertbrandywine]

2:35 Plan 1: Requires Black to move to d5 instead of d6. Then 1. Ne5 Nd7 White then shifts to a king side attack with 1. Ng5 g6 2. Nh7 Kxh7 3. Qh5+ Kg7 4. Qh6 Kg8 5. Ng6 fxg6 6. Qxg6 Kh8 7. Qh7# 3:49 Plan 2: Requires Black to challenge the white bishop with Bd6 and then abandon the attack after white moves Bg3. Also requires Black to take white knight on d7 with bishop instead of queen. But how to checkmate is left unstated. 7:08 Plan 3: White moves Nc3 instead of c3 and Black d6 instead of d5. White then Nb5 and Nc7. This captures the rook. 8:16 Plan 4: White moves Nc3 instead of c3. If instead Black d5 it moves Qb6 attacking the pawn on b2, White to a3. If Black continues the attack, then White Na4 and has captured the black queen. 9:10 Plan 5: If Black moves Qb6 before White has moved Nc3, and has also moved c5 and d5 then White still goes Nc3 after Black Qxb2. After the black capture, then 1. Nb5 Na6 2. Rb1 Qxa2 3. Ra1 Qb2 4. Rxa6 bxa6 5. Nc7. The black king must move and his rook falls *or* Ngf7 takes the rook on h8. What White does after that is unstated. 11:40 Plan 6: If Black decides to capture Ne5 with his bishop. After White recaptures with his pawn, Black triples his attack on e5 with Qc7. White abandons the defense of e5 and Bxh7. Black captures that bishop. If the Black king moves back to g8, then White Qh6 and this is then the same ending as in plan 1. 15:20 Here starts advice on how to attack the London system.