Opening Repertoire
London System
Cyrus Lakdawala
About the Author
Cyrus Lakdawala is an International Master, a former National Open and American Open
Champion, and a six-time State Champion. He has been teaching chess for over 40 years, and
coaches some of the top junior players in the U.S. His recent book, The Unknown Fischer, was
awarded the [Link] Book of the Year award for 2024.
Also by the Author:
1...d6: Move by Move
A Ferocious Opening Repertoire
Anti-Sicilians: Move by Move
Bird’s Opening: Move by Move
Carlsen: Move by Move
Caruana: Move by Move
Fischer: Move by Move
Korchnoi: Move by Move
Kramnik: Move by Move
Opening Repertoire: ...c6
Opening Repertoire: Modern Defence
Opening Repertoire: The Slav
Opening Repertoire: The Sveshnikov
Petroff Defence: Move by Move
Play the London System
The Alekhine Defence: Move by Move
The Caro-Kann: Move by Move
The Classical French: Move by Move
The Colle: Move by Move
The Modern Defence: Move by Move
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Move by Move
The Scandinavian: Move by Move
The Slav: Move by Move
Contents
About the Author 3
Bibliography 5
Introduction 6
1 Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6 9
2 Classical “Ruy Lopez” Version 55
3 Exchange Variations 90
4 Lines with ...d5 where Black Delays ...e6 125
5 Symmetrical Lines 171
6 London versus Queen’s Indian 199
7 Benoni Poisoned Pawn Lines 232
8 London versus Grünfeld 249
9 London versus Reversed Reti Set-ups 279
10 London versus King’s Indian 309
11 London versus Modern Defence 341
12 London versus Dutch 351
Index of Openings 371
Index of Games 380
Introduction
“I am trying to beat the guy across from me and trying to choose the moves that are most
unpleasant for him and his style.”
Magnus Carlsen
Magnus’s comment also applies to the openings we choose to play. Do you have that
crazy friend who suffers from a serious medical condition requiring surgery, and who lacks
health insurance? So he thinks about performing the medical procedure on himself, after
watching a few YouTube videos. This is exactly what club level players do when they enter
some insanely complex opening, like playing the sharper lines on either side of Open Sicilian,
after reading a single book on it.
An opening must be presented to the reader, warts and all, and the relationship with
our opening should be one of a friend, rather than an impersonal business contract. Our
opening is there to serve us, not the other way around.
Modern day opening theory would be a lot more fun if it didn’t come with such an
Orwellian, 1984 vibe. The database represents our collective memory of every recorded game
ever played, yet this is not a book for data junkies. It’s for those who seek to understand,
rather than memorize. I have no intention of turning the readers into theory-serfs. Keep in
mind that Elvis never considered himself a drug addict since he got all his drugs through
legal prescriptions, the same way we get our opening theory from books and articles meant
for players who can absorb and remember giant swaths of data.
For club level players, memorized data is neither knowledge nor wisdom, and our openings
should not be recited as the poems we were forced to deliver to our fifth-grade class. In fact,
at club level, an overload of theoretical lines stuffed into our heads and sleepwalked through
due to long familiarity, can turn into a data-blackhole gravitational pull which actually may
suck out comprehension.
Three decades ago the London was a theoretical wasteland, which is why I played it. That
great visionary C. Freddy Lakdawala predicted that it would one day be one of the most
popular openings in chess. Maybe the way prophecy works is that people begin to believe
something. They then act upon the belief, which in turn makes it come true. In this way, faith
6
Introduction
transmutes into reality. One goal of this book is to get past the London’s deceptive sameness
and begin to understand its vast subtleties. In this book I’m recommending the more ‘pure’
2 Íf4 London move order, rather than the more obsolete 2 Ìf3 and 3 Íf4, which I advocated
in Play the London System and First Steps: Colle/London Systems.
Do You Have the Right Style for the London System?
We tend to assign positive and negative to openings, when in reality a ‘good’ opening is one
which fits our style, while a ‘bad’ one doesn’t. It’s a mistake to believe that the opening which
works for me, also works for you. Here are some traits of the London:
1. The London System is one of the most solid ways White can open a chess game. Play it
long enough and you overcome the delusional belief that victory always goes to the more
ruthless player.
2. Are you tired of the Adderallization of opening study? In my childhood the vast majority
of players were detached from information, especially in the opening. Not so today, where
it’s the opposite issue: data overload. Today we live in the era of The Great Multiplying, where
most openings require us to study complex lines just to survive the first 15 moves. The
London is not in this category, since it is an understanding-based system, rather than one
which depends upon memorization and concrete tactical lines. In essence, sharper openings
are transient and in perpetual change, while openings like the London evolve slower, which
means you are unlikely to be surprised by some shocking, engine-generated new move or
idea you have never before seen.
3. The London tends to be understudied by our opponents, mainly for two reasons:
i. They are unafraid of it.
ii. Their Najdorfs and King’s Indians require so much effort that they neglect openings
like London, assuming that it is easy to play Black against it.
4. The concept of security comes in two parts: physical and psychological. The London
fulfils both for White and is one of the safest ways to open with White.
5. Unlike sharper lines, the London is a do-it-yourself opening, where even if we forget
the analysis, our position is so solid that it continues to hold.
6. The chess engine is a curious mix of science fiction and science non-fiction, since it
is a case of the future within the present. The London, with the exception of a few lines, is
still one of the most engine ambush-immune lines in chess. Even if we get surprised by our
opponent’s engine analysis, we can usually work our way through, since there are so few
purely tactical lines in the London. Is the empire of chess dying from the introduction of
chess engines? Maybe so and in the opening, I miss humans, which is why I play the London.
7. Lines come into fashion, are phased out and then double back, only to return once
again. With the London, in each line we reach similar structures, the effect of which is that
we become masters of the structure. Patzers of the world, rejoice. The London is an ideal
7
Opening Repertoire: London System
opening for new and club level players, since it is a combination of solidity and the fact that
the ideas are relatively easy to understand. Yet unlike the old days, when we play the London
today, we are no longer turning our backs to the world, since its theory continues to grow,
just like all other openings.
Why is the London System so despised?
When I was 10 years old, my mother ordered a Montreal Canadians jersey. To my horror,
they sent me a hated Toronto Maple Leafs jersey. To make matters a million times worse, my
mother refused to send the jersey back (“a Maple Leafs jersey will keep you just as warm as
a Canadians jersey!”) and she forced me to wear the despised jersey to school, where my
schoolmates and even some of the teachers shunned me with hateful looks, as if I were a
leper.
Now you understand what it’s like to be a London System player. We essentially flaunt
the Maple Leafs jersey. So many of my Facebook friends burn with a stalkerish obsession
with London, hating it with a passion. Which makes us think: if they hate the London this
much, it simultaneously means they fear it.
I am tormented by people who routinely write on my Facebook page idiotic statements
like: “Isn’t the London a waste of the white pieces?” My initial response is: “Dear low-IQ
Facebook friend, I’m certain that you understand chess a lot better than Magnus Carlsen,
who plays the London...” but then I remember manners, delete the rude sentence and type
a polite/cold response.
My Facebook friends post at least one The-London-System-Sucks meme per week on my
feed. It is easily the most despised opening in chess and for good reason, since hatred/fear
of the London arises when the victim comes to the shocking realization that violence can be
overcome with a non-violent weapon.
I view the London more as the world leader who speaks expansively of peace (“I begin
war, in order to bring peace to the world!”), while secretly plotting destruction. “The London
is boring and produces a limited emotional range between mild boredom and outright
depression!” accused one of my delusional Facebook friends. This statement is a case of
false typecasting. From my experience, very few London games are uneventful. May your
opponents grind their teeth in frustration when you gleefully slide your bishop to f4!
Cyrus Lakdawala
San Diego, February 2025
8
Chapter One
Classical System
with ...d5 and ...e6
1 d4 d5 2 Íf4 Ìf6 3 e3 e6 4 Ìf3 c5 5 c3 Ìc6 6 Ìbd2
W________W
[rDb1kgW4]
b
[0pDWDp0p]
[WDnDphWD]
[DW0pDWDW]
[WDW)WGWD]
[DW)W)NDW]
[P)WHW)P)]
[$WDQIBDR]
W--------W
In this chapter Black faces our London and plays as if on the black side of a Queen’s
Gambit Declined. This is one of Black’s most common systems, so we need to understand
both the moves and subtleties well.
9
Opening Repertoire: London System
Game 1
Vlatko Kovacevic – Laurent Fressinet
Solin/Split 2000
1 d4 Ìf6 2 c3
Kovacevic is a long time London player. In this book we advocate the 2 Íf4 move order.
2...d5 3 Íf4 e6 4 Ìd2 c5
Black chooses a quiet variation, which gives White a small yet comfortable advantage.
5 e3 Ìc6 6 Ìgf3 Íd6
W________W
[rDb1kDW4]
[0pDWDp0p]
[WDngphWD]
[DW0pDWDW]
[WDW)WGWD]
[DW)W)NDW]
[P)WHW)P)]
[$WDQIBDR]
w
W--------W
With this principled move, Black fights for control over e5. In fact, one of Black’s goals is
to achieve the freeing break ...e6-e5. We, as White, should try to disallow this intent. 6...Íe7
is played much less often. We look at this line down the road in the book.
7 Íg3
The idea is if Black exchanges on g3, two things occur:
1. The h-file opens for our rook.
2. White is left with a remaining good bishop.
7...0‑0
Natural, if not forced:
a) 7...Ëe7 8 Ìe5 (it’s important to remember: don’t allow Black to achieve the freeing
break on e5, which generally equalizes completely) 8...Íxe5 9 dxe5 Ìd7 10 Ëh5 h6 (10...g6
is met with 11 Ëh6 when the e5-pawn remains tactically protected) 11 Ìf3 g6 12 Ëg4 and
White has a slight yet nagging edge due to the e5-pawn and dark-square potential, [Link]-T.
Remille, Marseille 2007.
b) 7...Íxg3 8 hxg3 Ëd6 9 Íb5! (oh, no you don’t; we aren’t about to allow Black to push
10
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
to e5) 9...Íd7 10 Íxc6! Íxc6 11 Ìe5 is a position we look at later in the book in the game
Carlsen-Ghaem Maghami, where Magnus gives a perfect demonstration of exactly how to
conduct White’s position.
c) 7...Ëc7? is quite common, yet I just consider it a blunder which loses a pawn after 8
dxc5! Íxg3 9 hxg3. I don’t see enough compensation for Black’s missing pawn.
d) 7...b6 is best met with 8 Íb5! Ëc7 9 Íxd6 Ëxd6 10 Ìe5 Íd7 11 f4 0‑0 12 Íd3!. White
reaches a reversed Stonewall formation, sans bad dark-squared bishop, holding a pleasant
edge, [Link] [Link], Gibraltar 2016.
8 Íd3
W________W
[rDb1W4kD]
b
[0pDWDp0p]
[WDngphWD]
[DW0pDWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)B)NGW]
[P)WHW)P)]
[$WDQIWDR]
W--------W
We reach one of the critical London tabiya positions. In Chapter Two we cover the ‘Ruy
Lopez’ London with 8 Íb5, which continues to grow in popularity.
8...Ëe7
Black’s simple plan is to free his position with ...e6-e5. This pretty much forces White’s
response.
In the chapter we also cover:
a) 8...b6 is examined in Games 4-6.
b) 8...Îe8 is covered in the next game.
c) 8...cxd4 9 exd4 Îe8 10 Ìe5 Ëc7 11 f4 Ìe7 12 0‑0 Ìf5 gives White a promising Reversed
Stonewall Dutch attacking position after 13 Ëe2.
d) 8...h6 9 Ìe5 Íxe5 10 dxe5 Ìd7 11 Ëh5 f5 12 exf6 Ìxf6 13 Ëe2 e5 14 e4 d4 was [Link]-
[Link], Canadian Championship, Toronto 2023. White has a pleasant edge after 15 Íb5!.
e) 8...c4!? (this release of the central tension is commonly played at club level; Black’s
simple plan is to flood the queenside with a pawn storm) 9 Íc2 b5 10 e4 (threat: e4-e5)
10...dxe4 11 Ìxe4 Ìxe4 12 Íxe4 Íb7 13 0‑0 and I would be happy with White’s position,
[Link], correspondence 2020.
11
Opening Repertoire: London System
f) 8...Ëc7? is a favourite mistake of club level players. Again, White wins a pawn after 9
dxc5! and I don’t see sufficient compensation for Black.
9 Ìe5
W________W
[rDbDW4kD]
b
[0pDW1p0p]
[WDngphWD]
[DW0pHWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)B)WGW]
[P)WHW)P)]
[$WDQIWDR]
W--------W
As mentioned above, we must not allow Black the freeing break on e5. 9 0‑0 is playable,
but lame. Black stands just fine after 9...Íxg3 10 hxg3 e5 11 dxe5 Ìxe5 12 Ìxe5 Ëxe5.
9...cxd4
I will let you in on a little secret: I love it when Black exchanges on d4. All it does is open
the e-file for White’s major pieces.
Instead, we’ll look at 9...Ìd7 in Game 3, while 9...Íxe5!? doesn’t equalize for Black: 10
dxe5 Ìd7 11 Ìf3 (also giving White an edge is 11 f4 f6 12 Ëh5 g6 13 exf6! when 13...Ëxf6
is met with 14 Ëf3!, while after 13...Ìxf6 14 Ëg5 White stands slightly better due to the
potential for dark-square power) 11...f6 12 exf6 Ìxf6 13 Ìe5. White can play on the bishop-
pair and control over e5, [Link], Internet () 2020.
10 exd4 Ìd7 11 f4?!
This is a bit of a Dutch with an identity crisis. White is actually better off taking the piece-
play route. Stronger is to hold back on pushing the f-pawn with 11 Ëe2! Íxe5 (a swap on e5
with either knight or bishop is favourable for White) 12 dxe5 f5 13 exf6 Ìxf6 14 Ìf3 e5? 15
Ìxe5! Ìxe5 16 Íxe5 Íg4 17 Íxf6! Ëxe2+ 18 Íxe2 Îae8 19 f3 Îxf6 20 Êf2! Íf5 21 Îhd1
and White was up a pawn with a completely winning ending, [Link] Corts, Mislata
2009.
11...f5?!
Black will soon reach an undesirable double Stonewall formation. 11...f6 improves when
12 Ìxc6 bxc6 13 0‑0 c5 14 Îe1 cxd4 15 cxd4 Îb8 16 Ìb3 f5! looks only a shade better for
White.
12 0‑0 Ìf6 13 Íh4 Ëc7 14 Ëe2 Ìe4 15 Êh1!
12
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
W________W
[rDbDW4kD]
b
[0p1WDW0p]
[WDngpDWD]
[DWDpHpDW]
[WDW)n)WG]
[DW)BDWDW]
[P)WHQDP)]
[$WDWDRDK]
W--------W
GM Kovacevic’s plan is clear: an attack down the g-file.
15...Íd7 16 g4!
We all may take grave risks for love. Sure, this slightly weakens White’s king. However,
White’s attacking chances down the g-file more than compensate.
16...Íe8
After 16...Ìxd2? 17 Ëxd2 fxg4 18 Ëg2 and if 18...h5 19 Ìg6 Îf7 20 h3!, White has a
winning attack.
17 gxf5 exf5 18 Îg1 Íe7
It’s a bad sign for Black that he is willing to swap off his good bishop for White’s technically
bad one. Fressinet seeks to reduce White’s attackers from the board.
19 Íxe7 Ëxe7 20 Îg2
If Black’s position was a face, it would register dissatisfaction. It’s funny how humans
still understand some positions better than engines. In this case the human’s perception is
the more accurate one. Stockfish incorrectly assesses this as the tiniest edge for White, while
most humans are capable of anticipating White’s attacking potential.
20...Ëh4!?
The optimist believes that anything is possible. We feel in our bones that Black can’t so
easily seize the initiative. 20...Êh8 is a safer alternative.
21 Îag1 Íh5??
Defensive play requires the care and attention to detail of a person attempting to
defuse a live bomb. I don’t know about you, but I always think “I’m saved!” the move before
I go down in flames. Black is still hanging on after 21...Êh8! (White is unable to chop the
g7-pawn due to a knight check on f2) 22 Ëe3! Íh5. White stands better, but is far from
winning.
13
Opening Repertoire: London System
W________W
[rDWDW4kD]
[0pDWDW0p]
[WDnDWDWD]
[DWDpHpDb]
[WDW)n)W1]
[DW)BDWDW]
[P)WHQDR)]
[DWDWDW$K]
w
W--------W
Exercise (calculation/attack): Prove why Black’s last move, a misguided attempt
at a combination, loses by force:
Answer: Queen sacrifice. White’s queen refuses to be so casually dismissed and remains
where she is on e2.
22 Íxe4!!
My mind goes to that Vietnam war photo of the Buddhist monk who set himself on fire
to bring attention to the war, all the while serenely sitting in the lotus posture as his body
burned.
22...fxe4
22...Íxe2?? walks into mate in three after 23 Îxg7+ Êh8 24 Îg8+! (decoying Black’s rook
from protection of the f7-mating square) 24...Îxg8 25 Ìf7#.
23 Îxg7+ Êh8 24 Ëg2!
Threatening Îxh7+ and Ëg7 mate.
24...Íg6
Nothing works. If 24...Ëf6 25 Ìd7 Ëh6 26 Ìxf8 Îxf8 27 Îg8+ and mate next move.
25 Ìxg6+ hxg6 26 Îxg6 1-0
There is no reasonable defence to the threat of Îg3, followed by Îh3. If 26...Ëh7 intending
...Îg8, then White wins with 27 Ëg5!. Nothing can be done about Îh6.
Has there ever been a TV or movie ventriloquist’s dummy who didn’t become both sentient
and completely evil? The London is similar in that it has the reputation of harmlessness,
which is actually unfounded since White often whips up dangerous attacks against the
black king, especially in the Classical lines. The next game is a good example of how easy it
is for Black to allow White a dangerous Reversed Stonewall style attack.
14
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
Game 2
Pavel Anisimov – Melis Mamatov
World Rapid Championship, St. Petersburg 2018
1 d4 d5 2 Íf4 Ìf6 3 e3 e6 4 Ìf3 Íd6 5 Íg3 c5 6 c3 Ìc6 7 Ìbd2 0‑0 8 Íd3 Îe8
Once again Black intends to free his position with a break on e5, which White shouldn’t
allow.
9 Ìe5 Ëc7
Black logically continues to pressure the e5-knight.
I am always delighted by the commonly played exchange 9...cxd4 10 exd4, which only
seems to benefit White, since it allows our major pieces to seize a firm grip over the critical
e5-square. Following 10...Íxe5?! (it was better to play 10...Ëc7, although even there, White
stands comfortably better) 11 dxe5 Ìd7 12 Ìf3 f5 13 exf6 Ëxf6 14 Íc2 g6? (moving the
knight to b6 was better) 15 0‑0 Ìde5 16 Ìxe5 Ìxe5 17 Ëd4 Ìd7 18 Ëe3! b5 (playing
...e6-e5 is too loosening since White can move rooks to e1 and d1, followed by either Íb3 or
Ía4) 19 Íd3 a6 20 a4! bxa4 21 Îxa4 e5 22 Îb4! Black found himself strategically busted,
[Link], St. Petersburg 2016.
10 f4
W________W
[rDbDrDkD]
b
[0p1WDp0p]
[WDngphWD]
[DW0pHWDW]
[WDW)W)WD]
[DW)B)WGW]
[P)WHWDP)]
[$WDQIWDR]
W--------W
Such Reversed Stonewall structures are a common feature of the London terrain. If
you play the London, it is a good investment of your time to study classic Stonewall Dutch
attacking games. In our case we get a kind of Reversed Super-Stonewall, since our normally
bad dark-squared bishop has been magically transported outside the pawn chain to g3 and
may participate in our coming attack.
10...b6?!
15
Opening Repertoire: London System
This way Black develops the light-squared bishop, while fighting for e4. Believe it or not, I
consider this natural move a mistake. Alternatives are:
a) 10...Ìd7?? is a common London trap at the club level. The refutation is simple: 11
Íxh7+!, [Link], San Diego (rapid) 2014. After such a blunder, we ponder the
purposelessness of life and wonder why we even bother to get out of bed in the morning! If
Black accepts the bishop, there follows 12 Ëh5+, 13 Ëxf7+, 14 Ëh5+ and 15 Ëxe8+.
b) 10...Ìe7?! 11 Íh4! Ìg6 12 Íg5! has been played just once, in a low rated game.
White’s position appears promising: for example, 12...b6 13 h4! gives White a strong attack.
c) 10...c4?! reveals Black’s favourite plan at club level. Black mindlessly pushes like mad
on the queenside and dares White to deliver mate on the other side: 11 Íc2 b5 12 Íh4 Íe7
13 0‑0.
W________W
[rDbDrDkD]
b
[0W1Wgp0p]
[WDnDphWD]
[DpDpHWDW]
[WDp)W)WG]
[DW)W)WDW]
[P)BHWDP)]
[$WDQDRIW]
W--------W
Black is 0-7 in my database from this position, mainly since White’s kingside attack is
clearly faster than Black’s on the other side. For example: 13...Íb7 14 a3 a5 15 Ëf3 b4 16
Ëh3! g6? (a mistake, but at this point I’m not sure what to suggest) 17 Ìdf3 (even stronger
is 17 Ìxf7! Êxf7 18 Íxf6! Êxf6 19 Ëxh7 Íd6 20 Ëxg6+ with three pawns for the piece and
a winning attack for White) 17...b3!? 18 Íb1! Ìd7?! (18...Îf8 is better, but even there White
has a winning attack with 19 Ìg5) 19 Ìxf7! Êxf7 20 Íg3! Êg7 21 Ìg5 Ìf8 22 f5 saw White
generate a crushing attack, [Link], Philadelphia 2017.
d) Black’s only real option is the indigestible engine suggestion 10...Îf8!, which nobody
is going to play on you. Apparently the world really is flat and Black’s rook seeks to sail off
its edge. A natural defensive player (the engine!) comes with a wild animal’s hyperaware
sense of coming danger. The idea is that Black can now move the f6-knight, without fear of
Íxh7+. After 11 0‑0 Ìe8 now ...f7-f6 is coming and Black looks better off here than in any
other variation, although I still prefer White’s chances.
11 Íh4
16
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
W________W
[rDbDrDkD]
b
[0W1WDp0p]
[W0ngphWD]
[DW0pHWDW]
[WDW)W)WG]
[DW)B)WDW]
[P)WHWDP)]
[$WDQIWDR]
W--------W
11...Íe7
We should pay heed too to:
a) Four unfortunates fell for the trap 11...Ìd7?? in the database. Just as in the earlier
version, 12 Íxh7+! wins on the spot.
b) 11...Íb7 12 0‑0 Ìe7? sees White unleash a winning attack with 13 Íxf6 gxf6 14
Íxh7+! Êf8 15 Ëh5!, [Link], Monaco (blitz) 2024.
12 Íxf6!
Well timed. White eliminates a key black defender, while simultaneously ridding himself
of his bad bishop.
12...Íxf6
After 12...gxf6?? 13 Ëh5 Íd8 14 Ìxc6! (attracting Black’s queen to the tactically
unfavourable c6-square) 14...Ëxc6 15 Ëh6! f5 16 Íxf5! it’s time for Black to resign.
13 h4!
If the freeway legal speed is 60 miles per hour, who among us hasn’t pushed it to the
still cop-safe 65? Clearly the move comes with ominous undertones. White plans to provoke
...g7-g6 and then follow with a future h4-h5.
13...Íb7 14 Ëh5
17
Opening Repertoire: London System
W________W
[rDWDrDkD]
b
[0b1WDp0p]
[W0nDpgWD]
[DW0pHWDQ]
[WDW)W)W)]
[DW)B)WDW]
[P)WHWDPD]
[$WDWIWDR]
W--------W
White attackers surge ahead like a bull in heat.
14...g6
14...h6 15 g4! is even worse for Black.
15 Ëf3 cxd4 16 exd4 Ëe7
16...Íg7 17 h5 is also quite miserable for Black.
17 Ëh3
Even better is 17 h5! g5 18 Ëg4 Íg7 19 h6 f5 20 Ìxc6 Íxc6 21 Ëxg5 Ëxg5 22 fxg5 Íf8
23 Ìf3 and Black is busted in the pawn-down ending.
17...Îac8
The problem with blocking on h5 is, of course, that White will pry the kingside open with
a g2-g4 push. Instead, after 17...h5 18 g4 Ìxe5 19 fxe5 Íxe5 20 dxe5 d4 21 Íe4 Black doesn’t
have enough for the sacrificed piece.
18 h5
Black’s enfeebled kingside pawn cover is on the verge of collapse. 18 Ìdf3, reinforcing
the e5- and g5-squares, looks even stronger.
18...g5 19 Ìdf3?!
Rarely do we win neat and tidy games. It is the nature of chess to win, only after a few
stumbles. Here 19 Ëg4! presses White’s attack to its fullest potential: 19...h6 20 Ìdf3 Íxe5
21 fxe5 and Black is busted.
19...h6?!
Black had to try 19...gxf4 20 Ëg4+ Êh8 21 Ëxf4 Íxe5 22 dxe5 Îg8 23 0‑0‑0. Even here
White’s attack looks promising.
20 Ìg4 Êg7
20...Íg7 21 fxg5 hxg5 22 h6 Íf6 23 0‑0 is hopeless for Black.
21 Ìxf6 Ëxf6 22 fxg5 hxg5 23 h6+ Êh8 24 0‑0!
18
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
W________W
[WDrDrDWi]
b
[0bDWDpDW]
[W0nDp1W)]
[DWDpDW0W]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)BDNDQ]
[P)WDWDPD]
[$WDWDRIW]
W--------W
No analysis required. Our eyes tell us that Black can’t possibly survive.
24...g4
After 24...Ëe7 25 Ìxg5! Ëxg5 26 Îxf7 Îe7 27 Îaf1 Îxf7 28 Îxf7 Black’s position is
twisted metal and shattered glass, since his king has no prayer of survival.
25 Ëxg4 Îg8 26 Ëh5 Ëf4
Threatening a double attack on e3, which is easy to meet.
27 Îf2 Ëe3
27...f5 28 Îe1 is also wretched for Black.
28 Ëxf7
White missed a faster win with 28 Îe1! Ëxd3 29 Ìe5 Ìxe5 30 Ëxe5+, winning.
28...Ëxd3 29 Ëxb7 Ëh7 30 Ëxh7+ Êxh7 31 Îe1
W________W
[WDrDWDrD]
b
[0WDWDWDk]
[W0nDpDW)]
[DWDpDWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)WDNDW]
[P)WDW$PD]
[DWDW$WIW]
W--------W
19
Opening Repertoire: London System
Black is unable to clean up the mess in this ending, since the causes and conditions of
success are absent:
1. White is temporarily up two pawns. While h6 will soon fall, this will still leave Black
down a pawn.
2. Black’s structure is in dire need of soap and bathwater. White can hammer away at
Black’s backward e6-pawn, which remains an unsettling strategic admonishment.
3. Black nurses a hole on e5.
31...Îce8 32 Îfe2 Ìd8 33 Ìe5 Êxh6 34 Îe3! Îg5 35 Îh3+ Êg7
35...Îh5?? 36 Ìg4+ wins more material for White.
36 Îf1
Black can barely move.
36...Îf5 37 Îxf5 exf5 38 Îg3+ Êh7 39 Êf2 Ìe6 40 Êf3 b5
Or if 40...Îg8 41 Îxg8 Êxg8 42 Ìc6, with dual threats to chop a7 and also the fork on e7.
41 Îg6!?
Allowing a combination. More efficient is 41 Ìd7! Êh6 42 Ìf6 Îd8 43 Ìg8+ Êh5 44 Ìe7.
41...b4
Sometimes we refuse to take yes for an answer. The worst fear we have in winning
positions is an unpredictable tactical anomaly, like 41...Ìxd4+ here. The shot still loses for
Black after 42 cxd4 Îxe5 43 Êf4 Îe2 44 Îa6 Îxg2 45 Êxf5 Îxb2 46 Îxa7+ Êh6 47 Êe6.
42 Îf6 bxc3 43 bxc3 Ìg7 44 Êe3
This way c3 is covered.
44...a5 45 Îa6 Ìe6 46 Îxa5 Îc8 47 Îa7+ Êh8
W________W
[WDrDWDWi]
[$WDWDWDW]
[WDWDnDWD]
[DWDpHpDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)WIWDW]
[PDWDWDPD]
[DWDWDWDW]
w
W--------W
Exercise (tactics): Prove why Black’s last move was a mistake in an already losing
position:
20
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
Answer: Give check on g6, followed by a king/rook fork on e7.
48 Ìg6+ 1-0
Chess prodigies are those adult/toddlers who look 9, going on 39 years old. Gata Kamsky
isn’t a prodigy anymore of course, but I still remember the tournaments I attended when he
was a kid in the late 1980s and early 1990s, where he would routinely wipe out adult GMs
with ease. He sometimes still does it, just like in this game.
Game 3
Gata Kamsky – Sam Shankland
Sturbridge 2014
1 d4 Ìf6 2 Íf4
Agent 007 insists on carrying a Walther PPK, which is an outdated relic from the WWII
era. Still, the gun kills Bond’s enemies just as dead as a modern-day gun. We London System
Luddites despise all forms of technology and opt to live the simple life. Here we soon
transpose back to ...d5 and ...e6 lines, although we will indeed look at this move order later
in the book for other lines.
2...d5 3 e3 e6 4 Ìd2 c5 5 c3 Ìc6 6 Ìgf3 Íd6 7 Íg3 0‑0 8 Íd3 Ëe7 9 Ìe5 Ìd7
W________W
[rDbDW4kD]
[0pDn1p0p]
[WDngpDWD]
[DW0pHWDW]
[WDW)WDWD]
[DW)B)WGW]
[P)WHW)P)]
[$WDQIWDR]
w
W--------W
What could be more natural? Black adds heat to White’s e5-knight, while clearing the
way for ...f7-f6.
10 Ìxd7!
At first, it’s difficult to understand the purpose behind this seeming digression. Didn’t
White waste time playing Ìf3, Ìe5 and then exchanging on d7? Well, yes, but keep watching!
21
Opening Repertoire: London System
10...Íxd7?!
What? Now the most natural move in the world gets a dubious mark? Believe it or not,
Black is better off with the ridiculously unnatural recapture with the queen, which then
defuses the power from White’s coming piece sacrifice.
Indeed, the unnatural modification 10...Ëxd7! is necessary. White’s coming combination
only works because Black’s bishop is on d7. Now let’s say White continues the same way
Kamsky did in the game with 11 Íxd6!? (this isn’t so strong anymore and White can consider
playing 11 Ìf3 or 11 Ëh5 instead, although 11 dxc5! is actually White’s best shot at an edge:
11...Íxc5 12 0‑0 Íd6 13 Ìf3 Íxg3 14 hxg3 b6 15 e4 and White holds a tiny edge, [Link]-
[Link], Hungarian League 2019) 11...Ëxd6 12 dxc5 Ëxc5 13 Íxh7+ (the problem is this is
now only good enough for a draw) 13...Êxh7 14 Ëh5+ Êg8 15 Ìe4 g6.
W________W
[rDbDW4kD]
[0pDWDpDW]
[WDnDpDpD]
[DW1pDWDQ]
[WDWDNDWD]
[DW)W)WDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$WDWIWDR]
w
W--------W
Do you see the difference with the next diagram, below? In Kamsky’s game the bishop is
on d7 and would hang after Ìxc5 and Ìxd7. Here, however, White has no choice but to take
perpetual check after 16 Ëg5 Ëe7 17 Ìf6+ Êg7 18 Ìh5+ Êg8 19 Ìf6+.
11 Íxd6 Ëxd6 12 dxc5!
More strategic high treason. The point is seen on White’s next move.
12...Ëxc5?
Once again, the most natural move on the board is a mistake, since White can exploit
the position of the black queen on c5 in the upcoming combination. Black should enter
emergency mode and just hand over a pawn with 12...Ëc7.
13 Íxh7+!
Money changes hands. White’s Greek Gift sacrifice appears to miss by a mile, since there
isn’t even a knight on f3 which can move to give check on g5. It gets to g5 all the same
though.
13...Êxh7 14 Ëh5+ Êg8 15 Ìe4!
22
Classical System with ...d5 and ...e6
W________W
[rDWDW4kD]
b
[0pDbDp0W]
[WDnDpDWD]
[DW1pDWDQ]
[WDWDNDWD]
[DW)W)WDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[$WDWIWDR]
W--------W
The test’s trick question is revealed. This shot produces an uplift in the attack’s mood and
now we begin to see why Black’s c5-queen position is exploited.
15...Ëc4
Here 15...g6?? loses to simplification with 16 Ìxc5! gxh5 17 Ìxd7 Îfd8 18 Ìf6+ Êf8 19
Ìxh5, leaving White two pawns up in the ending.
16 Ìg5
Threatening mate on the move.
16...Îfd8
Black’s king must be given luft, since White threatens mate on h7. Black’s rook also covers
the bishop from attack by the white queen. Instead, 16...Ëd3? is met with the interference
trick 17 e4! Îfd8 18 Ëxf7+ Êh8 19 Ëg6 Êg8 20 Îd1 which is even worse for Black.
17 Ëxf7+ Êh8 18 Ëh5+ Êg8 19 Îd1!
Your blind date is homely, bleary-eyed, and with breath stinking of wine and vomit. You
know it’s going to be a long next four hours. I just described Shankland’s position. To believe
that Black is OK would be a false positive reading of the position, since White is by no means
obliged to take perpetual check.
19...e5
Alternatively:
a) 19...b5 20 f4 b4 21 Ëf7+ Êh8 22 Îf1! when the threat to lift the rook to h3 is decisive.
b) 19...Íe8 20 Ëh7+ Êf8 21 Ëh8+ Êe7 22 Ëxg7+ Êd6 23 b3! Ëg4 24 f3! (enabling a
future mate on e4 with the knight) 24...Ëh4+ 25 g3 Ëh5 26 Ìe4#.
c) 19...Ëxa2 (the scriptures tell us that the rich and greedy fail to gain entry to paradise)
20 0‑0 Ëc4 21 f4 and the coming Îf3 is decisive.
20 Ëf7+ Êh8 21 e4!
Not 21 Îxd5? Ëh4! when, suddenly, Black is just fine.
23
Opening Repertoire: London System
21...Ìe7!
W________W
[rDW4WDWi]
[0pDbhQ0W]
[WDWDWDWD]
[DWDp0WHW]
[WDqDPDWD]
[DW)WDWDW]
[P)WDW)P)]
[DWDRIWDR]
w
W--------W
This is not such a bad practical try. Shankland boldly opts to confront the problem, rather
than run from it. Still, the counter-sacrifice doesn’t feel all that therapeutic. In this desperate
bid to seize the initiative, Shankland gives up a piece to throw White’s queen off the light
squares and clear the way for ...Íb5, which threatens mate on e2.
Instead, 21...Íg4 fails miserably after 22 f3 Ëc5 23 Ëg6 Ëe3+ 24 Êf1 Êg8 25 Ëh7+ Êf8
26 Ëh8+ Êe7 27 Ëxg7+ Êd6 28 Îxd5#.
22 Ëxe7
Kamsky has regained his sacrificed piece with interest, while maintaining the more
potent attack.
22...Íb5
Threatening mate on e2.
23 Îd2
No problem: e2 is easily covered.
23...Ëxa2
Likewise, 23...d4 24 Ëxe5 dxc3 25 Ëxc3 Ëxa2 26 Ëh3+ Êg8 27 Ëh7+ Êf8 28 Ëh8+ Ëg8
29 Ìe6+! Êe7 30 Ëxg8 Îxg8 31 Ìc7 wins.
24 Ëf7!
Kamsky gets a handle on the unwieldy mess, seeing that his king is actually safer than his
opponent’s. The queen returns to her light-square track, threatening to return to h5.
24...Ëa1+ 25 Îd1 Ëxb2 26 Ëh5+ Êg8 27 Ëh7+ Êf8 28 Ëh8+ Êe7 29 Ëxg7+ Êd6 30 Îxd5+
Êc6 31 Ëf6+! 1-0
After 31...Êc7 32 Ìe6+ Êb6 33 Ìxd8+ (nope; ...Ëe2 mate is an illegal move since the
black king happens to be in check) 33...Êa5 (33...Íc6 34 0‑0 wins) 34 Ìxb7+ Êa4 35 Ëf3! Îf8
36 Ëd1+ Êa3 37 Îd2 Ëxc3 38 Ëb1 Íc4 39 Ìd6 White consolidates.
24
