Anti-London
Black’s repertoire against the London System: active piece play and the …c5/…Qb6 plan to take the comfort out of White’s quiet 2.Bf4 setup.
The London System (1.d4 and an early Bf4) is one of the most popular openings at every level precisely because it is low-theory: White aims for the same comfortable setup — pawns on d4 and e3, bishop on f4, knights to f3 and d2 — against almost anything. The Anti-London is Black’s answer: a clear, active repertoire that denies White that easy life and fights for the initiative from the opening.
The key is that the London bishop, once it leaves c1 for f4, no longer guards b2 — so Black hits there with …c5 and …Qb6 while developing quickly, and frees the light-squared bishop with …Bf5 before …e6 instead of letting it rot behind the pawns. The London is solid and not refuted, but with purposeful play Black equalises comfortably and keeps real winning chances, especially when White plays the setup on autopilot. This guide, written for Black, covers the main London move orders and the most testing plans against each.
Main lines
- 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5The Steinitz Countergambit — Black hits d4 at once. The main 3.e3 allows …Qb6 against the loose b2-pawn; the sharper 3.dxc5 (regained with …Qa5+ or …e6) and the gambit 3.e4!? dxe4 4.d5 are the critical tests.
- 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Qb6The Classical Anti-London — …c5 and …Qb6 target b2 and d4, and White must spend a move defending (Qc1, Qb3 or b3).
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7The King’s-Indian setup — Black fianchettoes, then plays …d6, …Nbd7 and …c5 to break in the centre.
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 c5The …e6 setup — flexible development with …c5 and …Qb6, or …Bd6 to challenge the f4-bishop.
Key plans & ideas
- Hit b2 with …Qb6: once the bishop commits to f4 it no longer defends b2, so …c5 and …Qb6 force White to spend a tempo on Qc1, Qb3 or b3.
- Strike the centre with …c5: challenge d4 early — the Steinitz Countergambit 2…c5 does it at once — to open lines before White is fully set up.
- Free the light-squared bishop: develop it with …Bf5 (or …Bg4) before …e6, so it stays active instead of becoming the passive bishop the London player wants you to have.
- Challenge the f4-bishop: …Nh5 hits it and …Bd6 offers a trade, neutralising White’s most active piece.
- Play with purpose: the London is solid, not critical, so the real danger is drifting — keep developing toward the …c5/…Qb6 pressure rather than shuffling pieces.
Practice the Anti-London
Open the interactive course and study the first chapter free — no account needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to beat the London System as Black?
The most testing plan is …c5 and …Qb6: the bishop on f4 no longer defends b2, so Black hits it and the centre while developing quickly. Add active development of the light-squared bishop with …Bf5 and Black reaches a comfortable, fighting game.
Is the London System hard to play against?
Not especially. It is solid but not critical, so Black equalises with natural moves and clear plans (…c5, …Qb6, …Bf5). The real danger is drifting passively — play purposefully and Black is fine.
Why develop the bishop to f5 against the London?
Playing …Bf5 puts Black’s light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain before …e6, avoiding the passive "bad bishop" the London player hopes to leave you with — it mirrors White’s own idea of a good bishop on f4.
Can Black play for a win against the London?
Yes. The …c5/…Qb6 pressure, the half-open c-file after …cxd4 and White’s slightly loose queenside give Black genuine winning chances, especially against autopilot play.