Chessy
Master the London System: e6 Setup
You've played 1.d4, 2.Nf3, and 3.Bf4 — the London System is on the board. When Black answers with 3...Nf6 and 4...e6, you've reached one of the most solid and popular lines in club chess. The position after 4.e3 is remarkably balanced: Stockfish gives +0.24, a tiny edge for White, meaning you are basically level. Across over seven million games, White scores a healthy 52.0%, so there is plenty of room to outplay your opponent. The drill below will sharpen your feel for this position — jump in and start playing.
Play the London System: e6 against the engine
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Create a free account →What Black Wants with ...e6
By playing 3...Nf6 followed by 4...e6, Black aims to build a compact pawn chain (d5-e6) and keep the centre closed. This setup often leads to a Queen's Gambit Declined style position without the early pawn tension. Your job as White is simple: complete your development, keep the long diagonal for your light-squared bishop, and wait for the right moment to open the centre. The engine's favourite reply for Black here is 4...c5, challenging your centre immediately, but most players prefer the solid 4...Bd6 — the most popular move in the database by a wide margin.
The Big Stat: 4...Bd6
The move 4...Bd6 appears in over 2.5 million games — roughly one in three. Black develops the bishop and threatens to trade it for your active Bf4. Your simplest plan: retreat to g3, keeping the bishop pair. Don't feel you have to play for a win on the spot — White scores 51.1% against this move, which is right around the opening average. The critical point is to avoid overextending. If Black later plays ...e5 or ...c5, you can respond with a well-timed dxc5 or an e4 break, but only after development is complete.
Punishing 4...Bb4+
The check 4...Bb4+ is played in about 280,000 games, and White's winning percentage jumps to 57.8% — your best score against any common reply. Simply block with 5.c3, forcing the bishop to retreat or get traded later. After ...Bd6 (a common follow-up), your Bf4 is ready to trade on equal terms, and you've gained a tempo with c3, which also supports your centre. This is a concrete example of the London System's resilience: you never have to worry about early checks because your pawn structure handles them naturally.
When Black Avoids the Bishop Trade
Against 4...Be7 (842,000 games, White scores 52.5%), Black keeps the bishop but gives up the chance to contest your f4-bishop. Here you can develop freely: 5.Nbd2, 6.Bd3, 7.0-0, and 8.c3 or 9.e4. The move 4...Nc6 (703,000 games) is more ambitious — Black develops and eyes the e5 square. Your response: keep your centre solid. White scores 54.7% here, the second-best percentage against any common reply. The lesson is clear: trust the London setup. When Black doesn't challenge your bishop, you get a comfortable game with excellent winning chances.
Results across 7,559,062 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bd6 | 2,552,771 | 51.1% |
| c5 | 1,938,079 | 50.1% |
| Be7 | 842,032 | 52.5% |
| Nc6 | 703,512 | 54.7% |
| Bb4+ | 280,280 | 57.8% |
| a6 | 230,531 | 52.1% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the London System with e6 good for beginners?
Yes — the London System is one of the most beginner-friendly openings. With 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.Bf4, and 4.e3, you follow a clear development plan regardless of Black's moves. The e6 variation is especially solid because Black closes the centre, reducing the need to calculate sharp tactics early on.
What is the best move against 4...Bd6 in the London System?
The engine recommends retreating your bishop to g3. This keeps your bishop pair and avoids an early trade. Black's bishop on d6 looks active, but it can become a target later if you open the centre with c4 or e4.
Why does White score worse against 4...c5 than against 4...Bb4+?
Because 4...c5 immediately challenges your pawn centre, leading to more complex play. White scores 50.1% after 4...c5 versus 57.8% after 4...Bb4+. The check 4...Bb4+ actually helps you — you gain a tempo with c3 and improve your pawn structure.
How do I continue against 4...Nc6?
Develop naturally with Nbd2, Bd3, and castling. White scores 54.7% against 4...Nc6, one of your best results. The knight on c6 doesn't threaten anything immediately, and Black often struggles to find a good square for their light-squared bishop behind the e6 pawn.