Chessy
Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit: e3 — A Perfectly T L
After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e3 Nf6, you have steered the game into one of the most balanced lines of the London System as Black. The engine rates this position at +0.08 — that's dead level, with neither side holding a meaningful advantage. In practice, Black actually scores 48.4% across over a million games, slightly outperforming White's 47.7%. Your early ...c5 break challenges the London setup before White can solidify the centre, and the statistics show it works. Let's dive into what White usually tries next and how you can keep the game comfortable from the Black side.
Play the Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System, Steinitz Countergambit: e3 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Ready to put this into practice? The interactive drill below lets you play the Steinitz Countergambit from this exact position against an adapting engine. Try a
Create a free account →What You're Fighting For: Breaking the London Early
The standard London System with Bf4 aims to build a solid, hard-to-attack pawn centre. By playing ...c5 on move 2 and following up with ...Nf6, you're refusing to let White have an easy game. The position after 3...Nf6 is a tabiya — both sides have developed naturally, and the fight is about whether White can maintain the d4-pawn or whether you'll force ...cxd4 or ...c4, opening lines for your pieces. With the evaluation at +0.08, this is truly a battle of skill, not of theory. Black's winning chances (48.4%) actually slightly edge out White's (47.7%), so if you understand the typical plans, you're already playing a high-scoring opening position.
The Most Popular Reply: 4.c3 — The Solid Choice
White's most common response is 4.c3, played in over 617,000 games. With this move, White reinforces the d4-pawn and says, 'I'm keeping my centre intact.' From here, Black has several good options. The engine recommends continuing with Nc3? No — that's White's move. From Black's side, the natural follow-up is ...Nc6, putting pressure on d4 and preparing to recapture if White takes on c5. You can also consider ...Bf5 or ...e6, each leading to rich positional play. White scores only 48.1% from this position, so the London player is actually below the expected 50% mark. Your task is simple: keep pressure on the centre, develop your bishop to a good square, and castle quickly.
The Critical Alternative: 4.Nf3 — The Engine's Choice
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is 4.Nf3, appearing in over 256,000 games. The engine's planned follow-up is Nf3 Nc6 Bb5 cxd4 — White develops, pins your knight, and voluntarily exchanges the d4-pawn. Take note: if White goes for 4.Nf3, they're signalling a flexible, developing approach rather than the ultra-solid 4.c3. After 4...Nc6, White scores 47.6% — even lower than after 4.c3. The critical moment comes after 5.Bb5 cxd4. You've successfully dissolved White's centre, and with ...dxe3 or simply ...e6 to follow, Black gets comfortable play. The engine says this is dead equal, so trust your chess understanding and don't fear the pin.
Watch Out: 4.Nc3 — The Statistical Danger
While 4.c3 and 4.Nf3 are roughly equal affairs, one move stands out as a red flag for Black: 4.Nc3. In over 33,000 games, White scores a whopping 55.8% from this position — that's significantly above the expected 50%. Why? Because 4.Nc3 is actually an inaccuracy. By blocking the c2-pawn, White can no longer support d4 with c3, and your next move ...cxd4 leaves White's centre in ruins. However, the statistics suggest Black players may be mishandling the resulting positions. If you face 4.Nc3, take on d4 immediately, and White's best reply is exd4, giving you a symmetrical but slightly uncomfortable centre. Black scores only 44.2% after this, so study the resulting IQP positions if you want to convert your theoretical edge. The takeaway: most White players choose 4.c3 or 4.Nf3, and against those you're already scoring well.
Results across 1,125,370 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| c3 | 617,182 | 48.1% |
| Nf3 | 256,483 | 47.6% |
| dxc5 | 67,873 | 44.2% |
| c4 | 47,407 | 44.3% |
| Nc3 | 33,383 | 55.8% |
| Bd3 | 22,948 | 44.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Steinitz Countergambit in the London System a good opening for Black?
Yes, it's statistically very reliable. Black scores 48.4% across over a million games, slightly outperforming White's 47.7%. The engine evaluates the position at +0.08 — essentially dead equal. It's an excellent practical choice for club players who want to challenge the London System early.
What is the best move for Black after 4.c3 in the Accelerated London?
The most natural and effective move is ...Nc6, putting pressure on the d4-pawn. From there you can follow up with ...Bf5 or ...e6, and if White ever plays dxc5, you recapture with the knight or bishop. Black scores 51.9% after 4.c3, so you're favoured in this line.
How should Black handle the London System with Bf4?
Playing ...c5 on move 2 — the Steinitz Countergambit — is one of the most principled ways to fight the London. You challenge White's centre before they can solidify with c3 or e3. After 3.e3 Nf6, the position is perfectly balanced. The key is to follow up with natural development and not rush to win material.
What is the most dangerous move White can play in this position?
Statistically, 4.Nc3 is the most dangerous — White scores 55.8% from that position, much higher than from any other move. While theory says this should favour Black (White has blocked their c-pawn), practical players struggle against it. If you face 4.Nc3, immediate ...cxd4 is your best try.