12/30/24, 2:08 AM London System Opening Complete Guide | 365Chess

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London System Opening Complete Guide

The London System (1.d4 d5 2.Bf4) is one of those chess openings you 100% should know how to play.

Why?

Because it's sound, solid, and popular...

Which means that everybody is playing it nowadays.

Even the 5-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, is playing it.

The London System is easy to learn and allows you to almost always play under your own terms.

If you are interested in learning how to play it the right way, keep reading.

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Which Are the First Moves of the London System?

The moves that define the London System are 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4, usually followed by e3, c3, and Nbd2 by White
(diagram):

This is the current way to play it, but you can also do 1.d4, 2.Nf3, and 3.Bf4 instead.

The move 2.Bf4 is preferred nowadays because it makes it harder for Black to avoid the London System.

Take a look at the video below to learn more about the London System general ideas:

10:42

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This free preview is part of a longer course by IM Milovan Ratkovic on the London System.

Main Plans in the London System

The main plan for White when playing the London is to create a super-solid center and bulletproof general
structure in general.

After this, one of the main themes is to create an outpost on the square e5 with the knight (diagram):

Another of White’s main plans in the London System is the thematic sacrifice on h7 when given the chance.

This tactic can be clearly seen in the famous game Kamsky vs Shankland in 2014:

Kamsky, Gata (2709)

Shankland, Sam (2611)
8 ECO: A45 Score: 1-0

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 c5 5.c3 Nc6

7
6.Ngf3 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3 Qe7 9.Ne5 Nd7

6 10.Nxd7 Bxd7 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.dxc5 Qxc5

13.Bxh7+ Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Kg8 15.Ne4 Qc4
5 16.Ng5 Rfd8 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18.Qh5+ Kg8
19.Rd1 e5 20.Qf7+ Kh8 21.e4 Ne7 22.Qxe7 Bb5
4 23.Rd2 Qxa2 24.Qf7 Qa1+ 25.Rd1 Qxb2
26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Qh8+ Ke7
3 29.Qxg7+ Kd6 30.Rxd5+ Kc6 31.Qf6+

a b c d e f g h
|< < > >| Flip

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Other plans in the London System are:

Central control: When it comes to the fight for the center, White’s main goal is to control the center by
placing pawns on d4 and e3, which will be supported by the light-squared bishop on f4.
Kingside attack: In some variations, White can prepare a kingside attack by advancing the h-pawn or
moving the g-pawn to g3 followed by Kg2 and Rh1.
Flexible pawn structure: The London System allows for various pawn structures depending on Black's
setup, which gives White adaptability and freedom to play in your own style.
Pressure on the e5-square: Many London System positions involve putting pressure on Black's e5-
square, limiting their counterplay.
Controlling the dark squares: With the light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain, White often focuses
on controlling dark squares in the center.

Should You Play the London System?

That’s a question only you can answer, but we will give you some clues.

Simplicity: It's relatively easy to learn and execute, making it suitable for players of all levels.
Consistency: The opening moves are similar against various Black setups, reducing which means that
you don’t need to memorize too many different lines!
Solid structure: The London provides a stable pawn structure and piece setup for White.
Flexibility: It allows for various middlegame plans depending on Black's response
Surprise factor: Less common than e4 or d4 openings, it can catch opponents off-guard.
Low-risk: Generally considered a safe opening with fewer tactical pitfalls.
Time management: The straightforward development helps manage time effectively in games.
Positional play: Emphasizes strategic play over tactical complications, which is good for improving
positional understanding.
Avoids main theoretical lines: Sidesteps heavy theory in popular openings like the Sicilian or King's
Indian.
Practical scoring: Often yields a good practical score, especially at club level.

In fact, the London System is so sound, that even the Super Grandmaster Ding Liren used it in one of his games
against Ian Nepomniachtchi during the 2023 World Chess Championship match.

See the game below:

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Ding, Liren (2788)
Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2795)
8 ECO: D02 Score: 1-0

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2

7
cxd4 6.exd4 Bf5 7.c3 e6 8.Bb5 Bd6 9.Bxd6

6 Qxd6 10.O-O O-O 11.Re1 h6 12.Ne5 Ne7 13.a4

a6 14.Bf1 Nd7 15.Nxd7 Qxd7 16.a5 Qc7 17.Qf3
5 Rfc8 18.Ra3 Bg6 19.Nb3 Nc6 20.Qg3 Qe7
21.h4 Re8 22.Nc5 e5 23.Rb3 Nxa5 24.Rxe5 Qf6
4 25.Ra3 Nc4 26.Bxc4 dxc4 27.h5 Bc2 28.Nxb7
Qb6 29.Nd6 Rxe5 30.Qxe5 Qxb2 31.Ra5 Kh7
3 32.Rc5 Qc1+ 33.Kh2 f6 34.Qg3 a5 35.Nxc4 a4
36.Ne3 Bb1 37.Rc7 Rg8 38.Nd5 Kh8 39.Ra7 a3
2
40.Ne7 Rf8 41.d5 a2 42.Qc7 Kh7 43.Ng6 Rg8
44.Qf7
1

a b c d e f g h
|< < > >| Flip

Ding Liren not only won that game with the London System, but he also became World Chess Champion a few
days later.

The London System Structure Explained

The first thing that becomes obvious in the London is that the dark-squared bishop is freed immediately
(diagram):

This means the bishop is active right away, instead of having to wait until the middlegame like in the Colle System
in order to see some action.

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Usually the c and e pawns are placed on the third rank, supporting the d4 pawn, which consolidates White’s
center (diagram):

The light-squared bishop will usually be placed on the d3 square and directly pointing to h7, although in some
lines e2 is the most accurate option (diagram):

Finally, the b knight typically goes to the d2 square, and White castles to complete its development (diagram):

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Check out Milovan Ratkovic's full 10-hour course on the London System.

Main Lines in the London System

The main line in the London goes like this:

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nd2 Bf5 6. Ngf3 e6 (diagram):

This is the most popular line among masters.

Of course, you can reach this same position in multiple ways.

The Jobava-Rapport System is another of the main lines in the London System.

Even though it’s considered an opening by itself, it shares too many similarities with the London.

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The Jobava London System is defined by the moves 2.Nc3 and 3.Bf4 (diagram):

We’ll see it more in deep later in the article, but the main idea of the Jobava London is to quickly push e4 and gain
space in the center.

Another interesting line in the London System you should know is when Black plays 3.Bf5 (diagram):

The main continuation at Grandmaster level is 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Bb4 6.Bd3 (diagram):

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However, even though this is an acceptable line, it won’t probably come up too much when you are playing the
London System.

Black can also go for the kingside fianchetto with …g6 (diagram):

Here, the main line is 3.e3 Bg7 4.h3 O-O 5.Nf3 d6 6.Be2 c5 7.c3 (diagram):

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Finally, Black can choose to play a Slav setup with 3…c6 (diagram):

In this case, the main line goes like this: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c6 3.e3 Bf5 4.Nf3 e6 5.c4 Bd6 6.Bg3 Nf6 7.Nc3 (diagram):

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London System vs the King’s Indian Defense

Black can choose to play an Indian setup, and as a London System player you need to be ready to face this.

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Nf3 O-O 5.Be2 d6 6.h3 c5 7.c3 Qb6 8.Qb3 Be6 (diagram):

Black is trying to force a King’s Indian Defense but White will certainly not allow it.

By playing c3, e3, and eventually Nbd2, White is clearly stating its intentions of sticking to the London System
plans.

An alternative continuation at master level for the moves shown above is:

7…b6 8.O-O Bb7 9.Nbd2 Nbd7 10.a4 a6 11.Bh2 (diagram):

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11.Qb3 and 11.Qb1 have also shown good results for White.

White’s plan is to consolidate the center with e4 and Black can go for an exchange of pawns to open the c file and
play on the queenside.

London System vs the Grunfeld Defense

In the Grunfeld Defense, Black also goes for the fianchetto with g6 but the main difference is that it’s followed by
d5 instead of d6 (diagram):

The game usually goes on like this:

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Bd3 O-O 6.Nbd2 c5 7.c3 (diagram):

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Now Black has 3 main options:

7…Nc6
7…Qb6
7…b6

The most played one is the first one, 7…Nc6, and the game might continue like this:

8.O-O Nd7 9.Bb5 Qb6 10.Qa4 (diagram):

There is a game between Kan and Cherepkov in which the two masters played that exact line:

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Kan, Ilia Abramovich
Cherepkov, Alexander V
8 ECO: D02 Score: 1-0

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bf4 Bg7 4.e3 O-O

7
5.Nbd2 d5 6.Bd3 c5 7.c3 Nc6 8.O-O Nd7

6 9.Bb5 Qb6 10.Qa4 a6 11.Bxc6 bxc6 12.b4

c4 13.e4 Nf6 14.Ne5 Qb5 15.Qxb5 cxb5
5 16.a4 Bb7 17.f3 dxe4 18.fxe4 Bxe4 19.Bg5
Bb7 20.Bxf6 Bxf6 21.Nd7 Bg5 22.Nf3 Bxf3
4 23.Rxf3 Rfd8 24.Nc5 Bh6 25.Raf1 f6
26.Re1 Bf8 27.a5 Rd6 28.Rfe3 Kf7 29.Ne4
3
Rd5 30.Nc5 e5 31.dxe5 Rxc5 32.e6+ Ke8
33.e7 Bh6 34.bxc5 Bxe3+ 35.Rxe3 Rc8
2
36.Re6 Rxc5 37.Kf2 Rc7 38.Rxa6 b4 39.Ke2

1 bxc3 40.Kd1 Rd7+ 41.Kc2 Kxe7 42.Kxc3

Rd3+ 43.Kxc4 Rd2 44.Ra8 Ke6 45.a6 Kf5
a b c d e f g h 46.Kb3 Rd1 47.Rc8 Ra1 48.Rc6 Kg5 49.Kb4

|< < > >| Flip f5 50.Kb5 Rb1+ 51.Ka5 Ra1+ 52.Kb6 Kf4

Another way of playing against the Grunfeld Defense with the London System is by doing an early h3 and Be2
(diagram):

The London vs the Slav Defense

Black can also choose to play a Slav Defense vs the London, which typically would go like this:

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c6 3.e3 Bf5 4.c4 e6 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Qb3 Qc8 7.Rc1 (diagram):

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This is one of the main lines, with Black immediately moving its light-squared bishop to f5.

Black might also decide to play more aggressively by moving its bishop to g4, attacking the knight:

1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bd3 Bg4 5.Ne2 (diagram):

The Rapport-Jobava System or Jobava London System

The Rapport-Jobava System was literally invented just a few years ago.

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But don’t be fooled by its young age.

This is an excellent way of taking Black out of their comfort zone.

The main line goes like this:

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 e6 4.Nb5 Na6 5.e3 c6 6.Nc3 Nc7 (diagram):

There are two main ideas for White:

To play an early e4 whenever possible.

To attack the c7 square with Nb5.

As we have seen at the beginning of this section, White played Nb5 threatening a fork.

Of course, if Black plays correctly that fork will never actually happen.

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But the idea behind the threat is to force Black to play Na6.

After that, the knight will have to either go back to b8 or to c7.

None of these two options are ideal for black.

Other ways in which Black can respond to the Jobava-Rapport System is by playing:
3…g6
3…c6
3…c5
3…a6

08:35

If you want to learn more about the Rapport-Jobava System, here is the full course for you.

Best Ways to Counter the London System

Some chess openings are better suited than others to make London System players uncomfortable.

For example, if you know your opponent usually plays the London, you could use the following openings to avoid
typical London System setups:

Benoni Defense (1.d4 c5)

This move by Black really challenges White’s ability to force the London System. Black is challenging
the center right away and White has to choose its next moves carefully. A possible way to get to a
London by transposition is 1.d4 c5 2.c3 e6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Bf4 (diagram):

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Dutch Defense (1.d4 f5)

The Dutch Defense is a wise chess opening choice for Black if they are trying to avoid the London
System. It doesn’t mean they are going to succeed at it, but the chances of White choosing another
opening is high because it is not very common to see White playing the London System against the
Dutch Defense. But it can happen and White has perfectly good chances of performing well. For
instance, 1. d4 f5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nf3 b6 5. Be2 Bb7 6. O-O (diagram):

Englund Gambit (1.d4 e5)

The Englund Gambit is probably the most disrupting opening for London System players. The
immediate …e5 means that there is going to be an early pawn exchange in the center, which makes it
impossible to even transpose to a regular London System setup. There are, however, ways in which
White can play a pseudo-London System, for instance, 1.d4 e5 2.e3 exd4 3.exd4 d5 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.Bd3 c5
6.c3 (diagram):

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And then there are some openings that are very effective in annoying London players after they have already
played 2.Bf4:

King’s Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 g6)

We have already reviewed some of the lines in the King’s Indian Defense, and we know that White can
definitely play the London System against it. However, if Black wants to make the London player a little
more uncomfortable, choosing the KID is smart.

Queen’s Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 e6 3.e3 b6)

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Again, White will still be able to play the London System, but the Queen’s Indian Defense definitely
makes it harder for White to stick to its plan.

Chigorin Defense (1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nc6)

Trust us, the Chigorin Defense is NOT something the typical London player will want to see played on
the board. Actually, the Chigorin is something almost no one wants to face as White. It’s barely played
and shakes things up immediately. So the Chigorin Defense is a good choice against the London
System.

If you want to learn a bit more about the Chigorin Defense, check out this free preview by IM Milovan
Ratkovic:

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06:42

You can get the full Chigorin course here.

Notable Games
Thousands of games have been played in which the London System was the opening of choice of the players.

Some of those games are just awesome and very instructive.

Here is a selection of notable London System chess games for you:

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Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura (blitz, 2017)

Carlsen, Magnus (2832)
Nakamura, Hikaru (2785)
8 ECO: D00 Score: ½-½

1.Nc3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bf4 a6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Bd3

7
Bxd3 6.cxd3 e6 7.Nf3 Bd6 8.Bg5 Nbd7 9.O-

6 O h6 10.Bh4 O-O 11.e4 Be7 12.Qb3 Nb6

13.Rac1 c6 14.Rfe1 Rc8 15.h3 Nfd7 16.Bg3
5 Re8 17.a3 Bf8 18.Qa2 Nf6 19.b4 Ra8
20.Qb2 Nh5 21.Bh2 Nf6 22.Red1 Qe7
4 23.Nd2 Rec8 24.Nb3 Nfd7 25.Re1 Qd8
26.Nc5 Ra7 27.a4 Nxc5 28.dxc5 Nd7
3
29.exd5 exd5 30.d4 b6 31.b5 axb5 32.axb5
bxc5 33.bxc6 Rxc6 34.Nxd5 Rg6 35.Qb5
2
Ra5 36.Qb7 Ra2 37.Bc7 Qa8 38.Qxa8 Rxa8

1 39.Ne7+ Bxe7 40.Rxe7 Nf6 41.dxc5 Nd5

42.Rd7 Rc6 43.Rxd5 Rxc7 44.c6 Rac8
a b c d e f g h 45.Rdc5 Kf8 46.Kh2 Ke7 47.R5c3 Kd6

|< < > >| Flip 48.Rg3 g5 49.Rf3 Ke7 50.Rfc3 Kd6 51.Kg3

Gata Kamsky vs Vasyl Ivanchuk (2013)

Kamsky, Gata (2763)
Ivanchuk, Vassily (2733)
8 ECO: A46 Score: 1-0

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4 d5 4.e3 Bd6 5.Bg3 O-

7
O 6.c4 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bc4 Nc6 9.Bxd5 exd5

6 10.Nc3 c4 11.Ne5 Ne7 12.O-O Bb4 13.a3 Bxc3

14.bxc3 f6 15.Nf3 Bg4 16.a4 Nc6 17.h3 Bh5
5 18.Qb1 Bxf3 19.gxf3 Na5 20.Qf5 Nb3 21.Ra2
Qa5 22.Bd6 Rf7 23.Bb4 Qd8 24.e4 a5 25.Ba3
4 Qd7 26.Qxd7 Rxd7 27.Re1 b5 28.axb5 Rb8
29.exd5 Rxd5 30.Re7 Rbxb5 31.Rc7 Rg5+
3
32.Kf1 Rbf5 33.Re2 h6 34.h4

a b c d e f g h
|< < > >| Flip

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Tigran V Petrosian vs Alexander Chistiakov (1954)

Petrosian, Tigran V
Chistiakov, Alexander Nikolaevi
8 ECO: A80 Score: 1-0

1.d4 e6 2.Nf3 f5 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.e3 Be7 5.Bd3

7
O-O 6.Nbd2 d6 7.c3 Nc6 8.Qc2 Qe8 9.h3

6 Bd7 10.Bh2 g6 11.e4 fxe4 12.Nxe4 Nxe4

13.Bxe4 d5 14.Bd3 Bd6 15.Qe2 Qe7 16.O-O
5 Bxh2+ 17.Kxh2 Rf4 18.Bb5 Qd6 19.g3 Rf5
20.Bxc6 Bxc6 21.Ne5 Raf8 22.f3 Be8 23.h4
4 c5 24.Rfe1 cxd4 25.cxd4 Qb4 26.Qf2 g5
27.hxg5 Rxg5 28.a3 Qe7 29.Rac1 Rg7
3
30.Qe3 Bh5 31.Kh3 Qf6 32.g4 Be8 33.Kg3
Qd8 34.Rh1 Qb6 35.Rh2 Qd8 36.Rh6 Qd6
2
37.Kg2 Bg6 38.Rc5 Qb6 39.Qc3 Qd8

1 40.Qc1 Qf6 41.Rc8 Qe7 42.Rxf8+ Qxf8

43.Rh1 Qd8 44.Qh6 Qd6 45.Qf4 Qb6 46.Rc1
a b c d e f g h Qd8 47.Kg3 Be8 48.Qh6 Bg6 49.Rc3 Qf8

|< < > >| Flip 50.Qc1 Be8 51.Rc8 Re7 52.Qg5+ Kh8

Gata Kamsky vs Sam Shankland (2014)

Kamsky, Gata (2709)
Shankland, Sam (2611)
8 ECO: A45 Score: 1-0

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 d5 3.e3 e6 4.Nd2 c5 5.c3 Nc6

7
6.Ngf3 Bd6 7.Bg3 O-O 8.Bd3 Qe7 9.Ne5 Nd7

6 10.Nxd7 Bxd7 11.Bxd6 Qxd6 12.dxc5 Qxc5

13.Bxh7+ Kxh7 14.Qh5+ Kg8 15.Ne4 Qc4
5 16.Ng5 Rfd8 17.Qxf7+ Kh8 18.Qh5+ Kg8
19.Rd1 e5 20.Qf7+ Kh8 21.e4 Ne7 22.Qxe7
4 Bb5 23.Rd2 Qxa2 24.Qf7 Qa1+ 25.Rd1 Qxb2
26.Qh5+ Kg8 27.Qh7+ Kf8 28.Qh8+ Ke7
3
29.Qxg7+ Kd6 30.Rxd5+ Kc6 31.Qf6+

a b c d e f g h
|< < > >| Flip

Conclusion
Are you ready to embark on the exciting London System?

It’s a chess opening that is solid, easy to learn, and full of exciting plans for White.

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The London is perfect for those who want to minimize the study of opening theory.

It allows you to study and become an expert on an opening in just a few days.

Some of the best players in the world play or have played the London System, such as Magnus Carlsen, Gata
Kamsky, Mamedyarov, and more!

Play the London System now and start winning more games as White!

Here is a course on the London System to get you started!

Related Chess Courses

Attacking with London System with GM Miloje Ratkovic

London System Mastermind with IM Milovan Ratkovic

Rapport-Jobava System with IM Milovan Ratkovic

London System Smackdown – Complete Chess Bundle

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D02 Sub-variants:
Queen's pawn game
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3

Queen's pawn game, Chigorin variation

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nc6

Queen's pawn game, Krause variation

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 c5

Queen's pawn game

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6

London System
1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bf4

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Overview
Games on Database: 13358

Last Played: Dec 2024

Overall score: 34.6% 35.6% 29.9%

Download master games

Played frequently by:

White

Otto Dobos 52 games

Gata Kamsky 38 games

Olaf Heinzel 36 games

Black

Maxim Matlakov 10 games

Irina Krush 10 games

Daniel Fridman 9 games

Possible continuations:
3... e6 4297 38.7 % 34.3 % 27.1 %

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3... c5 4187 28.2 % 36.3 % 35.5 %

3... Bf5 2128 35.7 % 38.4 % 25.9 %

3... c6 1289 31.7 % 40.8 % 27.5 %

3... g6 672 31.3 % 35.4 % 33.3 %

3... Nc6 291 61.2 % 16.8 % 22 %

3... Bg4 291 46 % 27.1 % 26.8 %

3... Nbd7 105 39 % 20 % 41 %

3... Nh5 49 34.7 % 32.7 % 32.7 %

3... h6 16 62.5 % 18.8 % 18.8 %

3... b6 13 38.5 % 23.1 % 38.5 %

3... Ne4 8 37.5 % 37.5 % 25 %

3... a6 7 42.9 % 57.1 %

3... e5 2 100 %

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