Chessy
Facing the London System: g6 – Your Guide to Playing White
So Black has answered your London System with a quick g6, fianchettoing their king's bishop. You're playing 4.e3, and the engine calls this position +0.22 — a tiny edge for White. That means you are very slightly better, but in practical play this is almost dead level. The statistics agree: across nearly 700,000 games, White wins 49.5%, Black wins 46.0%, and draws are rare at just 4.5%. This isn't a sharp, tactical line — it's a patient positional fight where small advantages matter. Let's look at how to handle it.
Play the London System: g6 against the engine
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Ready for more? Practice this position against the engine, focusing on the Be2-c3 development plan. Over time, you'll turn that +0.22 edge into full points.
Create a free account →What Black Is Trying to Do
By playing g6 early, Black signals they want a King's Indian-style setup — fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop to Bg7 and putting pressure on your centre later with moves like c5. Black is not challenging your Bf4 directly; instead they hope to outplay you in the middlegame with dynamic piece play. Your job is to develop solidly, keep the centre stable, and not give Black the active play they're looking for. The engine's best answer is simple:Be2, getting ready to castle, followed by c3 to reinforce d4 against ...c5. There's no rush to attack — just build a sturdy position.
The Most Popular Response: Bg7
Overwhelmingly, Black plays Bg7 — it appears in 617,732 of the 699,075 recorded games. From there, the engine's best continuation is Be2 c5 c3. Notice the pattern: you put your bishop on e2, and when Black plays ...c5 you answer with c3, maintaining your pawn centre. White scores 49.2% from this line — essentially even. There's nothing flashy here, just solid development. You can follow up with 0-0 and then decide where to place your rooks based on Black's setup.
Punishing Black's Most Common Mistakes
Two Black moves are known inaccuracies, each costing about 0.6 pawns according to the engine: Nc6 and e6. If Black plays Nc6 (11,059 games, White scores 51.7%), they block their own c-pawn and make ...c5 harder. You can continue developing normally — Be2, followed by 0-0 — and enjoy a comfortable edge. Against e6 (6,428 games, White scores 53.9%), Black has weakened their dark squares and blocked their light-squared bishop. Your plan: keep the centre, finish development, and press the structural advantages in the middlegame. Both inaccuracies give you a cleaner position than the main line.
When Black Tries Something Sharper
A few less common moves deserve attention. Nh5 (15,607 games, White scores 50.8%) attacks your Bf4 directly. Don't panic — simply retreat the bishop. White's score remains healthy. Bg4 (14,409 games, White scores 50.9%) pins your knight, but you can break the pin with Be2 or h3 and continue developing normally. Nc6 (11,059 games, White scores 51.7%) blocks Black's own c-pawn, making ...c5 harder to achieve. c5 (9,211 games, White scores 48.3%) is Black's most direct central counter and roughly equalises — meet it calmly with c3 and keep the centre stable. Against any of these sidelines, the same London principle applies: develop solidly, keep your pawn centre, and let Black overextend.
Results across 699,075 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 617,732 | 49.2% |
| Nh5 | 15,607 | 50.8% |
| Bg4 | 14,409 | 50.9% |
| Nc6 | 11,059 | 51.7% |
| c5 | 9,211 | 48.3% |
| e6 | 6,428 | 53.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if Black plays Nh5, attacking my bishop?
Nh5 is the most direct attempt to dislodge your Bf4. In 15,607 games White still scores 50.8% — just retreat the bishop and continue developing. Your position remains solid and Black's knight is slightly offside on h5.
Is the London System: g6 a good surprise weapon against me?
It's a solid choice for Black, but the stats show White does fine. Across nearly 700,000 games White scores 49.5% with only 4.5% draws — a slight edge — and the engine gives +0.22. Stick to the plan: Be2, c3, and patient development.
Why does Black's Nc6 lose so much in evaluation?
Nc6 blocks Black's c-pawn, making it harder for them to challenge your centre with ...c5. Without that break, you keep a stable pawn centre and more space — that's worth about 0.6 pawns in engine terms.
How many games feature the London System: g6?
Over 699K Lichess games have reached the London System: g6 position. White wins 49.5%, Black wins 46.0%, with 4.5% draws — based on real rated games.