Fritztrainer
| OPENING
Mastering the London System
Elisabeth Pähtz
In this course, Grandmaster Elisabeth Pähtz presents the London System, a structured and ambitious approach based on the immediate Bf4, leading to rich and dynamic positions.
From the very beginning, Pähtz explains what makes this move order unique. Compared to the Neo London, the early Bf4 setup opens the door to different structures and critical battlegrounds including sharp …c5 systems, the challenging …Qb6 lines, tactical ideas with …Qxb2, and London setups that resemble Caro-Kann structures.
Across a well-organised course, she systematically covers Black’s most important options, including modern trends with …Bf5, the increasingly popular …Nh5 lines, Queen’s Gambit Declined setups, and key move-order nuances that often shape the entire game.
In Chapter 7, Pähtz brings everything together by clearly explaining the relationship between the London System and the Neo London, incorporating and referencing material from her previous course. The result is a fully integrated repertoire, where both approaches complement each other seamlessly.
More than just theory, this course emphasises practical understanding. Pähtz shows how typical structures, plans, and ideas can turn the London into a powerful and flexible weapon, especially in tournament play. Whether you are new to the London or looking to deepen your repertoire, this course provides a clear, modern, and complete path to mastering the London Classic.
Contents
2
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3: Qb6 Lines
5
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2
6
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 sidelines
7
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 7.Nb3 Bf5
8
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Qb6 7.Nb3 Bg4
11
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qa3
12
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qxa2
13
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 Qxc5
14
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 a6
15
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 Bd7
16
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 g6
17
5...Qb6 6.dxc5 Qxb2 7.Rb1 Qc3 8.Bb5 e6
18
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2: Caro-Kann London
21
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.Bb5 a6
22
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.Bb5 e6
23
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.Bb5 Rc8
24
5...cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.Bb5 Qb6
25
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.Nf3 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2 Nh5
26
5...Nh5 6.dxc5 Nxf4 7.exf4 a5
27
5...Nh5 6.dxc5 Nxf4 7.exf4 e6 and 7...Qa5
28
5...Nh5 6.dxc5 Nxf4 7.exf4 g6
29
1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Bf5 3.e3
32
3...Nf6 4.Bd3 Bg6 5.Nf3
38
3...e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nbd7/Nc6
39
3...e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7/Bd6
40
3...e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 c6
41
3...e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nf3 Bxc3+ and 6...c6
42
3...e6 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Nf3 c5 and 6...0-0/Ne4
44
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.Nf3
52
Queen's Gambit Declined setups: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 c6 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3
55
Differences and References to the Neo-London
56
early e6: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 e6
57
Neo London - ...d5, e6, c5, Nf6, Bd6
58
early c6: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c6
59
Neo London - ...d5, c6, Qb6
60
Neo London - ...d5, c6, Qb6 part 2
61
Grünfeld: 1 d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6
62
Neo London - ...d5, Nf6, g6
63
Neo London - ...d5, Nf6, g6 part 2
64
Neo London - ...d5, Nf6, g6 part 3
65
Neo London - ...d5, Nf6, g6 part 4
66
Classical Line: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Nf3 c5
67
Neo London - ...d5, e6, c5, Nc6, Nf6, Nh5
68
Neo London - ...d5, e6, c5, Nc6, Nf6, cxd4, Nh5
69
Neo London - ...d5, e6, c5, Nc6, Nf6, Bd6, 0-0
70
Neo London - ...d5, e6, c5, Nc6, Nf6, Bd6, 0-0 part 2
