ECO A48 · London System

London System

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Bg7+0.12

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the London System (A48), reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Bg7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.12).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.123… Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 b6 7. e4 Bb7 8. e5
  2. +0.283… d5 4. e3 Bg7 5. h3 O-O 6. c3 c5 7. Be2 Qb6 8. Qc1
  3. +0.403… d6 4. Nc3 d5 5. e3 Nh5 6. Bg5 Bg7 7. h3 c6 8. Bh4

Other move orders

  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3
  • 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6

All London System variations (1)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the London System?
After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Bg7 for Black, continuing 4. e3 d6 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Be2 b6 7. e4 Bb7 8. e5. The position is roughly equal (+0.12). The next best moves are 3… d5 (+0.28) and 3… d6 (+0.40).
Is the London System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.12: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the London System?
A48. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).