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Queen's Pawn Game: London System — White’s setup after 3.Bf4
The London System is one of the most reliable ways to meet 1...d5. After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4, you reach a very familiar position where development comes quickly and the plans are easy to remember. The engine gives this position as equal, so the goal is not to chase a forced win — it is to play good chess, keep your pieces active, and be ready for Black’s most natural replies. Use the drill below to practise the ideas from this exact position and see what happens when Black chooses the most popular continuations.
Play the Queen's Pawn Game: London System against the engine
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Create a free account →A very even London position
Stockfish rates this +0.04, a tiny edge for White. That means you are basically equal here. The position is a solid starting point for learning the London System because it is stable, flexible, and easy to reach in real games. If you like quiet development and clear plans, this opening gives you that kind of game without needing to memorise long forcing lines.
What the database says
The numbers from this exact position are reassuring for White. Out of 9,094,964 games, White wins 51.3%, draws 4.4%, and Black wins 44.3%. That does not mean the opening is automatically better for White, but it does show that White scores well in practice. For a learner, that is a good sign: the setup is playable, reliable, and worth drilling.
Black’s most common answers
You will meet a range of replies, and that is one reason the London is so popular. The most-played continuations here are e6, Nc6, Bf5, Bg4, c5, and g6. The database shows that White scores well against e6, Nc6, Bf5, Bg4, and g6, while c5 is the engine’s best move. So if Black chooses the most direct challenge, you should expect a sharper response than in the quieter replies.
Why the engine prefers c5
The engine’s best move here is c5, and the continuation given is c5 e3 Nc6 dxc5. That tells you Black can challenge the centre immediately instead of waiting. In practical play, this means you should stay alert to central tension and be ready to develop smoothly while keeping your structure healthy. The drill will help you recognise this kind of central break fast.
How to use this opening in your games
The London System suits players who want a dependable opening with a clear development scheme. Your main job is to place the bishop actively, complete development, and respond sensibly when Black contests the centre. Because the position is so equal, small mistakes matter: keep your pieces coordinated, do not drift into passivity, and be ready to punish careless play if Black overextends.
Results across 9,094,964 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 2,478,030 | 51.4% |
| Nc6 | 2,194,119 | 53.7% |
| Bf5 | 1,612,082 | 50.0% |
| Bg4 | 791,401 | 50.8% |
| c5 | 726,082 | 46.9% |
| g6 | 493,075 | 49.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Queen's Pawn Game: London System good for White?
Yes, this exact position is perfectly playable for White. Stockfish gives +0.04, which is essentially equal, and the database shows White scoring well overall.
What should I expect after 3.Bf4?
You should expect Black to choose one of several natural replies, including e6, Nc6, Bf5, Bg4, c5, or g6. The position stays flexible, so good development and awareness of central tension matter most.
What is the strongest move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is c5, with the continuation c5 e3 Nc6 dxc5. That is Black’s most direct way to challenge the centre in this position.
Which reply is most common in practice?
The most-played reply here is e6, with 2,478,030 games in the database. Nc6, Bf5, Bg4, c5, and g6 also appear very often, so you should be ready for several standard setups.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: London System?
Over 9 million Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: London System position. White wins 51.3%, Black wins 44.3%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.