Rapport-Jobava System, with e6

Rapport-Jobava System, with e6

Definition

The Rapport-Jobava System (often nick-named the “Jobava-London” or simply “Jobava System”) is a modern Queen’s Pawn opening in which White develops the queen’s knight to c3 very early, then places the dark-squared bishop on f4 (or sometimes g5). The tabiya usually arises after:
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 e6

Starting Move-Order

Typical sequences that reach the “...e6” branch include:

• 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 e6 – the most straightforward.
• 1. Nf3 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. d4 e6 4. Bf4 – a favorite of Richard Rapport, delaying the central pawn push.
• 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 – reaches the same position without the Indian move-order.

How it Is Used in Chess

White’s early Nc3 sidesteps the classical London setup (where the queen’s knight usually goes to d2) and immediately puts pressure on the d5 pawn. After Black’s solid reply ...e6, the struggle revolves around:

• White’s desire to generate kingside play with g- and h-pawns or a quick e2-e4.
• Black’s plan to blunt the bishop by ...Bd6, strike in the center with ...c5, or transpose to a QGD Tarrasch structure.
• Piece play: the knight on c3 sometimes heads for b5/d5/f4, while the queen’s bishop often re-routes via d3 or e2.

Strategic Significance

• Flexibility vs. principled solidity: The system aims to keep theory light yet aggressive, ideal for creative players.
• Unbalanced pawn structures: Because White may accept doubled c-pawns after ...Bb4 or sacrifice the c3–pawn for initiative, positions become asymmetrical early.
• Psychological edge: Many opponents expect the “normal” London with Bf4 and Nd2; Nc3 instead can lead them out of book.

Typical Plans for White

• Kingside pawn storm: h4-h5 or g4 to dislodge the f6-knight, thematic in Rapport’s games.
• Minor-piece pressure: exchange on b8 or d5 to leave Black with an awkward recapture.
• Central break: prepare e2-e4, sometimes supported by f2-f3.
• Quick long castle: especially when the light-squared bishop goes to d3 and queens come off the board.

Typical Plans for Black after ...e6

• Classical set-up: ...Bd6, ...O-O, ...b6, and ...Ba6 to trade the strong f4-bishop.
• Queenside counterplay: ...c5, ...Nc6, and sometimes ...Qb6 hitting b2 and d4 simultaneously.
• Piece harassment: ...Bb4 pinning the c3-knight, forcing White to decide between a2-a3 or c3xd5.
• Caro-Kann “reverse” ideas: if White plays e3, Black may achieve …c5 and …Nc6 with healthy structure.

Historical Notes

Although the idea of Nc3 & Bf4 is older, it was Hungarian grandmaster Richard Rapport and Georgian grandmaster Baadur Jobava who popularized the system in elite play (circa 2013-2018). Jobava’s attacking flair and Rapport’s willingness to deploy it against top players turned a side-line into a respected weapon.

Model Games

Study these encounters for practical insight:

1. Rapport – Vachier-Lagrave, Biel Masters 2016: White sacrificed a pawn for enduring initiative on the kingside.
2. Jobava – Ivanchuk, Tbilisi FIDE GP 2015: The Georgian GM uncorked h4-h5 and routed Black’s king.
3. Aronian – Rapport, Wijk aan Zee 2020: A high-level draw highlighting Black’s resources with ...c5 and ...Qb6.

For hands-on replay, here is a miniature illustrating the core ideas:

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Rapport’s fashion statement: During his 2016 Biel run, Rapport played the system four times wearing brightly colored shoes—earning the opening the tongue-in-cheek nickname “The Fancy Footwork Variation” among commentators.
• Surprise in classical chess: Magnus Carlsen adopted the Jobava setup (with 3.Bf4 e6) against Ding Liren, Gashimov Memorial 2019, scoring a smooth win—proof the World Champion values its surprise potential.
• Engine evolution: Early Stockfish versions undervalued White’s chances, but NN engines like Leela have upgraded the evaluation to roughly equal, lending theoretical respectability.

Summary

The Rapport-Jobava System with Black’s solid reply ...e6 is a dynamic, strategically rich sideline of Queen’s Pawn openings. Its chief selling points are:

• Low theoretical burden for White.
• Chance to seize early initiative and disorient well-prepared opponents.
• Playable for Black with principled central and queenside counterplay.

Whether you are the risk-loving attacker (à la Jobava) or the universal strategist (à la Rapport), adding this system to your repertoire can inject freshness into 1.d4 battles.