ECO D02 · for White

London System

The line below is what Lichess 1400-1600 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.

25,294,386 games in this band reached the London System position. From there White won 52% and drew 4%.

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. h3 Bh5 7. O-O

Moves 1 to 2

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nc6

1. d4
The Queen's Pawn opening is more usually more positional in nature, White intends to develop the pieces while having a share of the center.

1... d5
Controlling the center and opening up the diagonal for the light-Squared bishop

2. Bf4
Developing the bishop allowing for stabilization of the center with e3 and c3.

2... Nc6 (played in 28% of games)
Developing the knight while pressuring the center. This blocks the c-pawn limiting black's chances to break in the center with c5.

2... Nf6 (24%): Developing the knight while overprotecting d5 and controlling the e4 square.
2... e6 (18%): Opening up the dark squared bishop while possibly preparing for the c5 break to challenge the center.
2... Bf5 (15%): Developing the bishop and copying white allowing the same plan.

Moves 3 to 4

3. e3 Nf6 4. Nf3 Bg4

3. e3 (played in 59% of games)
Strengthening the center and protecting d4. This move also allows the light-squared bishop to develop.

3. Nf3 (27%): Developing the knight to f3 and continuing with the typical London System setup here.

3... Nf6 (played in 34% of games)
Developing the knight and fighting for control of the center.

3... Bf5 (32%): Developing the bishop with the goal of strengthening the center next with e6.
3... e6 (11%): Strengthening the center and opening up the dark-squared bishop.

4. Nf3 (played in 40% of games)

4... Bg4 (played in 29% of games)
Developing the light-squared bishop and pinning White f3 knight.

4... e6 (27%): Solidifying the center and allowing the dark-squared bishop to develop.
4... Bf5 (24%): Developing the light-squared bishop and preparing to strengthen the center with e6 next.

Moves 5 to 6

5. Be2 e6 6. h3 Bh5

5. Be2 (played in 26% of games)

5... e6 (played in 60% of games)

6. h3 (played in 27% of games)

6... Bh5 (played in 55% of games)

Move 7

7. O-O

7. O-O (played in 20% of games)

Where games go from here

7,220 games in this band reached the final position above. The most common continuations:

Bd6 (67%)

Game counts and move shares are from Lichess games between 1400 and 1600 rated players, as used in Chessbook, snapshotted 2026-10-17.