Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. London Introduction
1. d41... d5After 1... d5Black can start either with 1... d5 or with the development 1... ♞f6
2. Bf42... Nf6After 2... Nf6Our task, as in any opening, is to develop the pieces, especially the light pieces on the ♔-side, before castling
3. Nf33... e6After 3... e6Which piece prevents us from castling? Correct – the light-squared ♝. We clear the way for it by forming a pawn chain – ♟e2-e3!
4. e3
After 4... Be7White to move. At the board4... Be7After 4... Be7If Black poses no threats, we proceed to building the pyramid, after developing the light-squared ♝
5. Bd35... O-OAfter 5... O-ODon’t forget to finish the pyramid! Our goal is to set up a rock-solid, unbreakable base! Play ♟c2-c3!
6. c36... Nc6After 6... Nc6Beginners often blunder here by placing the knight in front of ♟c7, where it blocks the pawn. Our ♟c3 perfectly restrains Black’s ♞c6. Development first!
7. Nbd27... a6After 7... a6Here Black often gets lost, pushing pawns aimlessly. We can castle right away, but we can also be sneaky and aim at ♟h7 – ♛c2!
8. Qc2After 8... b5White to move. At the board8... b5After 8... b5After yet another Black pawn leaves its home square, we seize the moment and strike at the undefended ♞c6
9. Ne59... Nxe5After 9... Nxe5A serious blunder, leading Black to lose a pawn
10. dxe510... Nh5After 10... Nh5Black pulls back the ♞f6, giving up control over ♟h7
11. Bxh7+11... Kh8After 11... Kh8Don't forget to retreat the ♝ to its base (to d3), keeping it out of harm's way.
After 12. Bd3Black to move. At the board12. Bd3After 12. Bd3With a comfortable position and an extra pawn to boot!
2. Bishop exchange attempt (1)
1. d41... d5After 1... d5Black can start either with 1... d5 or with the development 1... ♞f6
2. Bf42... Nf6After 2... Nf6Our task, as in any opening, is to develop the pieces, especially the light pieces on the ♔-side, before castling
3. Nf33... e6After 3... e6Which piece prevents us from castling? Correct – the light-squared ♝. We clear the way for it by forming a pawn chain – ♟e2-e3!
4. e3After 4... Bd6White to move. At the board4... Bd6After 4... Bd6A common suggestion to exchange the ♗. Black wants to trade and saddle us with doubled pawns on the f-file, but we choose to exchange on our own terms by retreating
5. Bg35... Bxg3After 5... Bxg3It may look odd: why double our own pawns? But in fact we open the h-file for our ♜
6. hxg36... O-OAfter 6... O-ONow our ♜h1, without having moved yet, already joins the fight against the opponent’s king. Don’t forget the development of the minor pieces!
7. Bd37... h6After 7... h6Our goal is to complete the development of all our pieces according to the plan, without rushing into an attack on the ♚
8. Nbd2After 8... Nc6White to move. At the board8... Nc6After 8... Nc6Beginners often blunder by placing the knight in front of ♟c7, where it blocks the pawn. We take advantage by attacking it – ♞e5!
9. Ne59... Nxe5After 9... Nxe5Again, why double our pawns? Because we drive away the knight and gain space for active piece play
10. dxe510... Nd7After 10... Nd7We must support the pawn and then transfer our pieces to the kingside, putting pressure on the black ♚
11. f411... f6After 11... f6It seems logical… but in fact this move weakens Black even more. How do we attack ♟e6? We need the queen!
12. Qg4After 12... f5White to move. At the board12... f5After 12... f5Black’s position is dire: 1) they’re pinned to the ropes; 2) they lack space; 3) after our next move, the ♟h6 is hanging
13. Qg613... Qe8After 13... Qe8It may look like Black has fended off our attack, but then our ♖ joins the action, winning material
14. Rxh614... Qxg6After 14... Qxg6We take the queen, winning a ♟ in the process
15. Rxg615... Kf7After 15... Kf7Don’t forget to move the ♜ to g5, taking it out of attack.
After 16. Rg5Black to move. At the board16. Rg5After 16. Rg5With a healthy extra pawn and no compensation for Black
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.