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What do you play against the London System?

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aidan0816

I just develop normally, castle, connect my rooks, and try not to hang any pieces.  I don't have time or brain space to devote to memorizing theory for every possible opening my opponent could play.

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WCPetrosian

If someone likes the idea of playing systems then consider having a repertoire of either the London or King's Indian Attack as white (the one that suits you best) and play the Hippo and semi-Hippo as black. There is a new book by New In Chess coming out by a FM in early 2019 that will be about playing the Hippo and adjusting to a semi-Hippo when needed. I'm looking forward to that book. In fact, if the book is good on guidance, I am considering possibly playing the Hippo and semi-Hippo as my entire repertoire (white and black). 

Chess4Him
brink2017 wrote:

If someone likes the idea of playing systems then consider having a repertoire of either the London or King's Indian Attack as white (the one that suits you best) and play the Hippo and semi-Hippo as black. There is a new book by New In Chess coming out by a FM in early 2019 that will be about playing the Hippo and adjusting to a semi-Hippo when needed. I'm looking forward to that book. In fact, if the book is good on guidance, I am considering possibly playing the Hippo and semi-Hippo as my entire repertoire (white and black). 

Not a big group, but we appreciate your heads up on the new book!

https://www.chess.com/club/def-hippo

As a Londoneer, I enjoy learning the Hippo "System". 

https://www.chess.com/club/londoneers

 

wormrose
brink2017 wrote:

There is a new book by New In Chess coming out by a FM in early 2019 that will be about playing the Hippo and adjusting to a semi-Hippo when needed. I'm looking forward to that book. In fact, if the book is good on guidance, I am considering possibly playing the Hippo and semi-Hippo as my entire repertoire (white and black). 

The book is by FM Allesio De Santis. It is available now in Italian and amazon says it will be available in English by March 2019. I have a list of the example games from the PDF sample of the book and I am currently posting each as a "Game of the Day" in the def Hippo club.  

https://www.chess.com/club/def-hippo

The book is 336 pages and he annotates more than 170 games. But most importantly, it is the first time anyone has classified the Hippo into specific variations based on the center pawn formations which arise after the classic center has been established, for example; the Indian Center, the French Center, the Sicilian Center, the open columns d and e, to name a few.

I think it will set the standard for the Hippo for a long time to come.

r00k226
Interesting
henryhughes9
heres a game I play recently with the London system if you say its boring enjoy this

 

Drake247

@henryhughes9, We're not really saying the London is "boring" from White's side, but it's well known to offer less counter play from Black's side. That's why this thread is about what to play against the London.

sabkx

I play Nf6 and then c6, with the aim of going Qb6, provoking b3. The dark sqr bishop could be a target with Nh5. The dark sqrs of white will be very weak. I will then play g6 Bg7 like normal king's indian, but since white already played b3, our bishop will have a great diagonal(remember we traded our knight for the bishop? Now our bishop has open diagonal). I will then proceed with d6 and e5 pawn break, opening up the center.

Sea_TurtIe

im bumping this

Sea_TurtIe

the london is a lazy way to autopilot chess, whats black best way to seek counterplay?

DwayneJohnson42069
Sea_TurtIe wrote:

the london is a lazy way to autopilot chess, whats black best way to seek counterplay?

Try go like bf5 and trade the knight for whites dark squared bishop when they play e3

d_new_11

In my games against the London, I've found that the Double Fianchetto System prompts them to play more aggressively in most cases. If I'm not mistaken, each time I've played it, I've destroyed my opponents... although I fluctuate between 1000-1200, so I'm not the most insane strategist either.

SpadeCardMagic

I'm not joking, but the bong cloud works wonderful, after the double extension from the king, you can easily develope the pieces attacking it. letting out an all out attack on the queen side.

pranavnikhil

Yes true,

Also are sicilians also a good way to play against the london?

 
ChessZoo8x8

Hippopotamus Defence club is a place where everyone is met with open hands, here you can meet strangers, talk with them on our discord, play tournaments and analyse games together. And the best of all - learn about the Hippo Defense - an underrated opening used with success in the world championship match. We are waiting for you! https://www.chess.com/club/hippopotamus-defence-swamp/join