You are looking for an opening with the following attributes:

1. easy to learn

2. extremely solid

3. full of poison

4. fascinating positions

5. relatively unknown

6. plenty of scope for own ideas

It is interesting to note that the London-System is very well known in amateur circles as White can reach a playable position after the opening phase without having to have a lot of theory knowledge. This fact alone underlines the solidity of the London-System.

As the system covers all variations after 1 .d4 d5 (lazy people can also use it against 1 ...Ntf6), it must be regarded as a universal weapon. But if this system is so good, then why is it still so little-known?

I can only guess at the reason - probably the opinion established itself at higher levels that the London-System (LS) would not have enough bite to seriously endanger Black.

However, there are also a few people among the top grandmasters who think otherwise. Gata Kamsky for instance used the London-System with reasonable success and the London-System is very popular one or perhaps two steps lower down at the IM- to FM-level, as White can easily avoid long theory variations, forcing his opponent to play chess from the very beginning.

The much-praised solidity should not be mistaken for boredom as in truth the concept for a very dangerous kingside attack is inherent in the London-System. Numerous games have been decided in favour of White long before the 30 thmove just because Black underestimated the white set-up.

Content:
005 List of symbols

005 Dedication

006 Foreword

009 Introduction

Classical Line

018 1 Main position with Bd6 + 8...Qe7

022 2 Main position with Bd6 + 8...Re8!?

030 3 Main position with Bd6 + 8...Ld6 + the rest

032 4 7.Se5

035 5 Exchange on g3 - Part 1

038 6 Exchange on g3 - Part 2

042 7 6...Be7 + 7...Nxe5

045 8 6...Be7 + 7...0-0

The route to the main position

048 9 3...Nh5!?

051 10 4...Nh5?!

052 11 3...e6 + 4...c5

053 12 3...e6 + 4...Bd6 5.Ne5

056 13 3...e6 + 4...Bd6 5.Bg3!?

059 14 4... Bd6 5.Bg3 b6!?

061 15 3...e6, 4...Be7

063 16 2...e6, 3...Bd6

067 17 2...c5!?

Attacking b2 with an "early" Qb6

069 18 4...Qb6!? + 5...Qxb2

072 19 4...Qb6!? + 5...c4

079 20 4...Qb6!? + 5...a6!?

Attacking b2 with a "late" Qb6 083 21 5.. Qb6 Introduction

089 22 5...Qb6 + 8...e5?

092 23 5...Qb6 + 8...Rxa3?

096 24 5...Qb6 + 8...Bg4

097 25 5...Qb6 + 8...Ra5!?

103 26 5...Qb6 + 8...Na7!

106 27 5...Qb6 + 8...e6

Symmetry

108 28 4...dxc4

111 29 4...e6?!

112 30 4...c6

113 31 Main position with 6...Nbd7

117 32 Main position with 7...dxc4

119 33 Reasons for 4.c4!

The Slav Way: 2...c6

124 34 Line 1 to the main position

127 35 Line 2 to the main position

130 36 Main position with 7...Be7

132 37 Main position with 7...c5

135 38 2...c6/...Bg4 with Nf6

137 39 2...c6/...Bg4 without Sf6

139 40 All the rest after 2...c6

141 41 Caro-Kann Exchange Variation

144 41 Gruenfeld main line

147 42 Gruenfeld sideline

151 43 Schlechter set-up

153 44 Chigorin-Defence

160 45 Stonewall