London System Main Line: …e6 and …c5
London System Main Line with Black …e6 and …c5
Definition
The term “London System Main Line with Black …e6 and …c5” refers to the branch of the London System (1.d4 followed by an early Bf4) in which Black defends with the classical setup of …e6 (building a solid pawn chain on dark squares) and …c5 (immediately challenging White’s central control on d4). It is sometimes called the “Anti-Bf4 French–Benoni Hybrid” because the structure can resemble an advance-French, a Tarrasch Queen’s Gambit, or even a Benoni once Black plays …cxd4 and …d5.
Typical Move Order
There are several transpositions, but the most quoted sequence is:
- 1. d4 Nf6
- 2. Nf3 e6
- 3. Bf4 c5
- 4. e3 (reinforcing d4) Nc6
- 5. c3 d5
(other choices include 5… Qb6 or 5… Be7 aiming for …Nh5)
From here the structure is fluid: if Black trades on d4, the game can take on a Tarrasch-like appearance; if Black plays …d5 without capturing, the pawn structure mirrors the French Defence Advance Variation except that White’s light-squared bishop is outside the chain.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Stable Center: Maintain pawns on d4 & e3, using c3 and Nbd2 to bolster the d4 square.
- Minor-Piece Pressure: Post the dark-squared bishop on d3 or e2, knights on f3/d2/e5, and often trade on c5 to open the diagonal for Bf1-e2-f3.
- Kingside Attack: Typical plan involves h2-h3, g2-g4 (the “accelerated caveman”) or the quieter Qe2, 0-0, Rad1 and e3-e4 breakthrough.
- Endgame Edge: London practitioners bank on the safer king and better minor-piece activity once the central tension is resolved.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Immediate Counterplay: …c5 fights for d4 and may create an IQP (isolated queen’s pawn) for White after …cxd4 and …d5.
- Benoni or Tarrasch Transpositions: By delaying …d5, Black can steer the game into Benoni-style positions with …b6, …Bb7 and pressure on e4.
- Piece Activity: The light-squared bishop often comes to d6 or e7, with an eye on f4; the knight on c6 keeps the option of …Nh5 challenging White’s pride bishop.
- Harmonious Development: Black generally castles short and places rooks on c8 and d8, targeting the c- and d-files once the center opens.
Historical Notes & Notable Games
Although the London System dates back to the late 19th century tournaments in London (hence the name), the specific …e6 & …c5 plan surged in the 2000s as a practical antidote when club players and grandmasters alike adopted the London as an “anti-theory” weapon.
- Carlsen vs. Caruana, Wijk aan Zee 2015 – Caruana used …e6 and …c5 to hold a comfortable draw against the future World Champion.
- Nakamura vs. Vachier-Lagrave, Paris GCT Rapid 2019 – MVL’s …c5 thrust equalised quickly, but Nakamura later outplayed him in an opposite-coloured-bishop endgame.
- Kramnik vs. Giri, Candidates 2018 – Demonstrated the potency of Black’s early …Nh5 idea against the London bishop.
Illustrative Example
A concise 16-move model game fragment showing core ideas:
Notes: after 17. Ne5 Bb7 18. f4, White prepares g2-g4 while Black eyes the c-file break …cxd4. Both sides have flexible plans, typical of this system.
Interesting Facts
- The move order 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 e6 4.e3 c5 is sometimes dubbed the “Bad Bishop London” because Black’s light-squared bishop stays inside the pawn chain, mimicking French structures — yet this bishop often springs to b4 or g7 later.
- Computer engines once believed the London was harmless, but neural-net AIs (e.g., AlphaZero, Leela) have shown dynamic attacking setups for White, prompting fresh analytical interest in Black’s counter of …c5.
- Grandmaster Gata Kamsky, a lifelong London aficionado, considers the …e6/…c5 line one of the “purest” tests of White’s strategic understanding, as it denies cheap tricks and forces deep planning.