So, people hate it because it’s a good opening that can’t be countered?
Thoughts on the London system
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Jul 15, 2025
0
#23
At our level - mine as well as yours - your only important task in the opening is to reach a middle-game position in which you feel comfortable and confident.
If the London does that for you, then it's a good choice of opening for you.
... just FYI, the London doesn't turn my crank. I prefer more unbalanced full-play positions.
GraysonKellogg έγραψε:
So, people hate it because it’s a good opening that can’t be countered?
It is a good opening which can be countered by normal moves, and people "hate it" because somehow they feel that they must show their authority, while in reality they don't understand much about it.
I don”t like it because it is just “memorize the moves, play them, if you can, attack and if you ca’t then don’t attack. I see some e4 lines somewhere, but super boring after a couple games except the attacking part, but even if you get the attacking part you will get a very easy win and learn nothing other than a few things here and there you learn nothing of importance.
Josh11live έγραψε:
attack and if you ca’t then don’t attack.
This is very wise, indeed.
Jul 15, 2025
0
#27
For those who think the LS is boring or not creative - I ask you this: Do you win every time you play it? Esp Josh11live - so every time you play it you get an easy win? You never lose playing it?
Welcome to an ever growing population of London players. Yes the London is solid, no the London is not so easy. It's absolutely easier than some other openings for white, but considering it "easy", sounds superficial. Do you know anything in chess, that's "easy"? Is the game of chess "easy" by itself? You called it easy, and it perfectly OK given the fact you don't have much experience with it.
You mentioned, for example with an early ..Qb6, a line where both players need to play very carefully. Should white play wrongly, it will lose the game. Should black play wrongly, he will lose the Queen, or even lose the game in a few moves.
A couple of resources for you to get more acquainted with the London.
1) If you really like the opening and want to learn it in a way that it will be sufficient for 95% of your games, study the book "The London System in 12 Practical Lessons: Strategic Concepts, Typical Plans and Tactical Themes".
2) If you want to have fun and see why many black players hate it, watch the Youtube video on the "The 17 BEST Traps In The London System", as you will definitely enjoy it.
I wish you all the best with the London.