Jobava: Definition & Jobava–Prié Attack

Jobava

Definition

"Jobava" most commonly refers to Grandmaster Baadur Jobava, a creative and enterprising Georgian chess player renowned for his unorthodox opening choices and tactical flair. In modern opening slang, "Jobava" also often means the Jobava–Prié Attack (frequently called the Jobava London System): an aggressive London-style setup with an early Nc3 and Bf4, typically reached by 1. d4, 2. Nc3, 3. Bf4.

Usage in chess

Players and commentators use "Jobava" in two senses:

• The player: "This is a very Jobava-style move" evokes creative piece play, early initiative, and willingness to sacrifice material for activity.
• The opening: "Play the Jobava" usually means adopting the Jobava–Prié Attack with d4, Nc3, and Bf4 to sidestep heavy theory and attack quickly.

Strategic and historical significance

As a player, Baadur Jobava has influenced modern chess culture by showing how offbeat development can be sound and venomous when guided by concrete calculation. His games popularized fresh attacking patterns and inspired a generation of blitz and rapid specialists.

The Jobava–Prié Attack (named after Baadur Jobava and French GM Éric Prié) is strategically significant because it blends London-System solidity with immediate attacking prospects. By placing a knight on c3 (instead of the more sedate Nf3) and the bishop on f4, White pressures d5 and e5, keeps options for Qd2 and long castling, and threatens fast kingside pawn storms. The system rose to prominence in the 2010s, especially in online play, as a practical weapon against a wide range of Black set-ups.

How the Jobava–Prié Attack is used

Typical move-orders include:

• 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 (core Jobava London structure)
• 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 (same idea via a QGD/Slav move-order)
• Against ...g6 systems: 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. Bf4 with e2–e4, Qd2, and O-O-O for a direct assault

Strategically, White aims for:

• Fast development: Bf4, e3 or e4, Qd2, Nf3, and often O-O-O.
• Kingside initiative: f2–f3, g2–g4, h2–h4, Bh6 to trade Black’s key defender, and direct attacks against the black king.
• Tactical jabs: Nb5 ideas targeting c7/d6 squares; Nd6+ or Nc7+ forks if Black is careless.

Good antidotes for Black include early central breaks and precise development:

• Timely ...c5 to challenge d4 and reduce White’s space.
• ...a6 and ...Nc6 to discourage Nb5, and ...Qb6 to pressure b2/d4.
• Active piece play: ...Bg4 to pin, or rapid ...e5 in certain lines when tactically justified.

Examples

Illustrative move-order versus a Queen’s Gambit/Slav structure, showing the characteristic Nb5 jump to eye c7 and d6:

After 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Nc6 5. Nb5, White already hints at Nd6+ or Nc7+. The board features White knights on b5 and g1 (undeveloped), a bishop on f4, and Black’s queenside still mobilizing. The tension in the center will determine whether White plays Qd2 and O-O-O for a pawn storm or consolidates with c2–c3.

Versus a King’s Indian–style setup, White often plays for Qd2, O-O-O, and a direct kingside attack:

Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Qd2 c6 6. O-O-O b5 7. f3 Nbd7 8. Bh6 Bxh6 9. Qxh6: White has castled long with rooks ready to lift, the queen on h6 eyeing h7, and plans of g2–g4–h4–h5 advancing. Black must counter in the center and on the queenside quickly.

Notable context and history

Éric Prié had explored the Nc3+Bf4 setup long before it gained wide popularity; Baadur Jobava’s repeated practical success at high levels helped propel the system into the mainstream, hence the dual eponym "Jobava–Prié." Its growth paralleled the rise of faster time controls, where surprise value and clear attacking plans are at a premium.

Interesting facts

• Baadur Jobava is known for fearless experimentation, including first moves like 1. Nc3 and creative piece maneuvers that steer opponents out of their preparation.
• Pronunciation guide: roughly "jo-BAH-va."
• He is a multiple-time Georgian Champion and has been ranked among the world’s elite at his peak .
• In commentary, "Jobava-style" often connotes intuitive sacrifices and rapid piece activity, a hallmark of his most memorable attacking wins.

Related terms

• Jobava London System (Jobava–Prié Attack)
• London System
• Queen's Gambit Declined
• King's Indian Defense