London Opening 4...e5

Sort:
Avatar of FunnyAnimatorJimTV

Hi- there's this one line in the London Opening that I'm wondering what to do against, and I'm wondering if any of you guys can give some advice:

 

 

I'm positive white isn't losing and I'm sure we can find a way to to play against this. Thanks for the read, good luck and Happy Checkmating

Avatar of KeSetoKaiba

I play against the London far more than I use it as White. Clearly it is a solid opening (and a favorite system for many players), but it simply does not fit into my repertoire - so I am by no means an expert here. 

However, I would certainly avoid en passant after 4...e5 as I would really hate to give up this nice central pawn. The en passant capture looks tempting at first glance, but my pawn on d5 ensures my space advantage and also controls c6 (from say Black's Knight). 

I am only answering via my quick glance at your lines (no "assistance" like an engine), but I would probably (as White) play 5. Bd2 - I don't really like moving the Bishop again, but what else is there? Maybe the Bishop looks a bit passive on d2. However, it is relatively centered and more importantly Black will not kick it again soon. My follow up thoughts may include moves like e4 or Nf3 with the intent of development while securing the space advantage White has at the moment (mainly because of our injutting d5 pawn versus if we en passant captured, giving up our space/center influence). 

After these thoughts, perhaps even some future Queenside expansion (space-gainning) - maybe even some b4 then b5 at the correct time, even if a3 is used to prepare this advance.

My guess is that White only needs slower positional chess here as they already have the space advantage, and no real thorns to deal with yet. I'd prefer to keep as many pieces as possible on the board, and just play smaller gains at a time. White is in no rush to open the position here, opening lines and getting tactical just feels like it would be ignoring what the board position seems to be telling.

This is a good forum though happy.png : I am not extremely sure what White's "best" play is either. This closed slower (Benoni reminiscent) position I'd handle as stated, but maybe someone can calculate what I am missing here. I think I'd prefer White in this concrete position, but how to quickly gain an immediate advantage - I do not currently see.

Avatar of FunnyAnimatorJimTV

@KeSotoKaiba Hi! Thanks for the response! 

I think black's idea with 4...e5 is to get a type of Czech Benoni position, closing the center somewhat. Black forces play on the wings, which usually means white plays on the queenside in the CB, but white hasn't played c4 in this position so it's harder for white to do any queenside play. White's idea with the quick Nc3 was to get central play, but 4...e5 has discouraged this. And black can even push the e pawn one more square down to create more problems for white.

 

5.Bd2 was played by Magnus Carlsen, but in his game black did not follow up with 5...e4. This puts an awkward pawn wedge to white, and when some of my friends play it against me I don't get very good results. happy.png