London System against the early c5 (Benoni setups)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
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In this video I have covered one of the most challenging setups black could choose against the London System - the early c5. This move is sharp, aggressive, and shows that black wants to fight instead of allowing white to create his London setup without issues.
If white plays the most principled way the move c5 will lead to pawn structures that resemble the Benoni. That means that black will have a “bad” structure with a weak d6 pawn. It is therefore necessary for white to be able to get outside of his normal London System comfort zone and to play against the Benoni. That fact alone makes the early c5 troublesome for most inexperienced London players.
Those who play the Benoni with black against main line d4 openings should choose this setup against the London.
White can avoid Benoni type positions if he wishes to, but that almost always leads to easy equality for black. The reason is that the move c5, if not punished with d5 breaks white’s center, therefore not allowing him the classical London triangle of pawns. If not challenged, the early c5 basically gives black the white pieces. More space and more activity.
#chess
On the web nowdays you can find tons of London sistem manuals and explanations. For the first time I felt that the real expert talks to me. No trash talking, no dazzling lines in order to buy sympathies of the audience, just true facts... Simply, an amaseing video!
'Schrodinger's Pawn' made me laugh :)
:D
I was looking to see if anyone commented about that XD
Hey I’m beginner and play a lot with london system with white, while for black I’m really interested in benoni defence.. thanks a lot.. have a nice day man 👍👍👍
This is by far the best London system theory series on TH-cam 2020
What an amazing helpful video on combating the early c5 push by black. Much thanks to you.
Was waiting for this video. Thanks for making it and make few more videos on London system.
A few more are due.
@@HangingPawns haha not exactly due😂, just a request
Just wanted to say thank you for your content man. You explain everything so well, while IM's and GM's tend to overlook variations they know are easy mistakes for players at my level. Have a nice day, content like yours makes me motivated to futher improve. I am recommending you to all of my chess friends
This is excelent. I always play 2...c5 but only as a natural move with put any theory. This will help me a lot.
As I watch this video I just saw that you have reached 100 000 subscribers. Congrats!
Whipee! Was waiting for this vid. Glad to see it has come out. Thank you!
Thank you for continuing london system series.
Nice, a man of culture.
I live in germany and love the Bauhaus and it's ideas in architecture, art and schooling.
Went to Weimar and Dessau it was pretty amazing.
I never went. I am planning to though:)
Strangely, gives me more confidence in my choice of Benoni structures to combat 1.d4
Best Chess Channel on TH-cam,,Such Class in every video,, Keep it up Stjepan
Great video. One thing I wanted to add for people who play Nf3 on move two in the London is that you can avoid the Benoni still, or at least get black to play a bad Benoni set up by not committing c4 after pushing d5, but instead reinforcing d5 with Nc3. I play the Benoni and this set up is very frustrating for Benoni players and is largely the reason why 1. d4 c5 (Old Benoni) is no longer played by black to get into the Benoni because white avoids committing the c-pawn. By white not committing the c-pawn, black can't get the pawn exchanges he needs in the center to achieve a queenside majority and also it keeps c4 vacated for a knight to jump onto to attack the weak d6 Benoni-pawn.
This is exactly what I was looking for, thank you so much!!
Nice job. 👍🏾
Good explanation.
Very helpful video.
Great video! Everything was there, thanks a lot, I'm looking forward to next videos!
Thanks Jaroslav!
Fantastic video as always my guy
I managed to win against this at last!! I couldn't find the advantage and didn't know how to draw as white when queen takes be. Thanks for the video
your and most useful best video,thanks
I play the London System in my repetoire so thank you for expanding on the theory. Hope to climb the ranks knowing a bit more but not aspiring to reach the top like you because I have other things to do as well. Keep it coming! Every small bit adds up.
What he actually recommends start at 19:00
Lmao thanks
Would love to see more on the Benoni system
You are an amazing teacher!!
Are you going to make a video on the dutch? I am a Sicilian player but struggle with the d4 openings as black. I tried the KID but it isn't my style. If you make a video on the dutch it would be much appreciated. Great video :D!
C5 on the 2nd move isn't a problem. You can still play the London. C5 on the 1st move almost forces a London player to play a completely different structure.
Sir good explanation about london system thanks sir
The Bauhaus poster in the back shows he's a man of culture. Or just croatian.
Hi tomic.... Good to see u back with openings...✌️✌️✌️...
Sry mate I'm unable to follow u on Twitch due to the lockdown...soon I will be on Twitch ... Good going mate...
Thanks mate!
Hello sir
11.45 why bishop on d2 ? White can play b4 forking the queen and knight,
Great job
Chet Baker always strikes when you least expect
Hi Stjepan!
Your channel is really great and i learned a lot !
Just wondering will you cover English opening, Owen's defense and Polish opening aswell?
Keep up the great work!
I have found it the best channel to learn chess... Thanks for the content.. 👌👌😊
Dan Hub As you say, there are a million other opening videos, and yet you keep returning here. I wonder why.
Dan Hub Dan Hub Don’t worry. One just needs to respect the fact he is one of the very best chess educators out there, of which the empirical proof is in the huge amount of appreciation he receives from commentators, compared to any other chess site. Deservedly so, for his total and passionate commitment. Personally, while an amateur cannot claim to be a good judge, I am convinced he can only be an excellent player, but please, let’s not get any further into that, as such opinions are personal and should remain to oneself. Like many others, I thoroughly enjoy watching his videos; I consider them an invaluable addition to chess learning, and like myself, I am pleased you say you have learnt (a lot, in my case) from his opening videos. Enough said, since to speak in someone’s presence in the third person is not decent. My best regards to you.
Dan Hub I see you removed your earlier comment. I think you were right to do so.
I wanted to note that after D4 Nf6 Bf4 C5 E6 if Qb6 then Na3 is better than Nc3
Bcz if now A6 then Nc4 is very strong upon which Black has to find the only move here the very passive Qa7
Perfect lesson !!!
Thanks!
Great video thanks
No alternative to Nc3?... at 12:45
Try Na6!
Nice :) - the ambient chessboard in the back of a room and a New Wave poster ;) - good choice !
I moved to the bedroom for recording. Less annoying for Lucija:D
nice ringtone
Great video. Instead of d6 did black have the move e6?
Great video. Love the Miles too. :-)
This one is by Chet Baker and Paul Desmond. My favorite version.
That song was recorded while Fisher was World Champion.
damn, I spelled Fischer wrong *fail*
What's wrong with Qc1 if black threatens with Qb6?
Please have some vedio on Reti opening like London system.
Will you be looking at the symmetrical English or the King's English in the future. You've covered a hell of a lot of material in these videos and I would be interested to see your take on 1. c4. Also because I'm partial to using the English to try to go for my preferred d4 openings when I know my opponent plays Nf6 against 1. d4.
1:17 Considering black playing 1.Nf6, I slightly disagree with you and let me explain why.
2.Bf4 is better if black goes for 2.d5, 3.c5 and 4.Nc6. Because in these setups, white wants to play Nd2 before Nf3 in order to avoid getting countered by 5.Qb6.
However, I think 2.Nf3 is better against 2.c5, because after white plays 3.d5, black doesn't have 3.Qb6 and is thus forced to play in the Benoni fashion instead of going into a Trompowsky (as you showed in the video). Why is it better for white ? Because white hasn't played c4 yet and could get an improved version of the Benoni by playing Nc3 without c4. That's why most players with black play 3.b5 (directly after white's 3.d5) in order to meet 4.Nc3 with 4.b4. However then, white isn't forced to enter the Benko via 4.c4, but can greatly disturb the black player with 4.Bg5. I let you analyse this position and see if you find it strong for white too, but personally, I tried to play this with the black pieces and gave up because of that bishop move.
My conclusion is that 2.Bf4 is a much more practical choice for white if he absolutely wants to play a London system, but 2.Nf3 is a bit more precise, as it doesn't allow black to play 2.c5 in good enough conditions. In case black plays 2.d5, I think white should play c4 and be ready to transpose into a slav or a QGD, which is fine considering that black played 1.Nf6 and thus probably wanted to avoid this. If this little trick involves too much theory, it is still possible to go for a London system by playing Nbd2 before c3 (1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5 3.Bf4 c5 4.e3 Nc6 5.Nbd2).
Thanks for reading :)
So you are saying that 2.Nf3 is a better move and people should not play the London? ;)
@@tomekduresov706 Ahaha hopefully I don't :) I'm saying that the London system is unadvisable if black plays 1.Nf6 2.c5. Thus, in this case, 2.Nf3 is much more useful than 2.Bf4, because it forces black into a strange (not to say bad) Benoni without c4.
@@youricortat6176 I dont know, I like this 2.Bf4 c5 3.d5 Qb6 4.Nc3 Qb2 5.Bd2 lines for white, I played it in my last OTB tourney with black against a lower rated player and I managed to outplay him somehow but I felt miserable with it the most of the game, white gets a lot of play for the pawn, the only thing is that London players dont like sharp positions from move 2 or 3, thats why these lines are unpleasant to face for them, but I would still pretty much prefer white if I would play the London
@@tomekduresov706 Yes, it is a matter of taste as always ! If you don't like defending with a pawn up, maybe try 3.b5. As Stjepan said, 4.c4 should be a common attempt and black could respond like in the video or maybe better with 4.g6, just pretending that Bf4 is not a critical move in the main line of the Benko.
By the way, do you play 2.c5 against 2.Nf3 too ? Because as I said, I personally did and changed recently, so I'm interested if you have some tricks :)
@@youricortat6176 No, actually I dont play 2...c5 against the London, Im a Grunfeld player so I like 2.g6 a lot more, the game I mentioned reached that position from the Tromp and I didnt wanted to play 2..d5 as I usually do against 2. Bg5 so I played 2.c5 and we transposed
Hi, where can i find the video of the old banoni for white D5 thanks
I have a tournament match against black. Last time I ignored this and lost in the opening. Hopefully, my learnings today can be fruitful if the opponent prepares benoni.
Please make a video on French defence vs King's Indian Attack
Hi Stjepan, I really appreciate your hard work to cover those lines since I love playing London system. I just wonder if you could made a video about early Nc6 (1.d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nc6). It's a line which makes me a bit insecure, though I continue to play basic principles I learnt from previous videos of yours and Simon Williams on London. Thank you for taking it for consideration.
I think he made a video called chigorin setup agaisnt london
Can you do the english defense please.
For the recommended variation for White go immediately to 19:05 of the video!
When will you upload the other 3 videos of the London ?
Thanks
What about simply dxc5 after 1. d5 Nf6 2. Nf3 c5 3. c3 b6 ? Stockfish says +1 after b6, do you agree with that
let it think for few minutes, it will say that after b6 if you set up something like Bb7 e6 Nbd7 Be7 0-0 you are more than fine. And in human chess you may should hold a small adge because of simple and comfortable game
Hello there, I highly recommend you get "Siliman's Complete Endgame course".
This book is EVERYTHING a chess book should be, Jeremy Siliman is a International master, and was won many tournaments.
I HIGHLY recommend you get his endgame book. He has made this book in such a way that everyone in each rating section get value.
This book I feel has helped me BIG time, and i think it will do the same with you!
@@danhub2330 maybe..
it's the complete opposite of what you are saying.
after 2. ... c5 the best move is 3. e3 getting into an equal position after 3. ... Qb6.
the problem after 3. d5 is, that your only developed piece is on it's worst possible square and you are basically playing a worse benoni and black is already ahead.
I think there's a reason why Old Benoni is never played nowadays it gives Black a lost position so I think early c5 maybe a mistake am not so sure
@@danhub2330 there's a reason why bad openings are played if your goal is to beat weaklings be my guest but I'd rather brawl it out with the strong
When the videos on the queen's indian defense are coming?
Please make a Reti opening video!
@@danhub2330 um that's exactly what i'm trying to do by watching some videos, not sure what your point is
Please make a video on English opening
Cf3?
19:45
it would be awesome if you could upload a png of your opening analysis here on the comments ;D
London System players learning opening theory? Hahahaha
Is London system a good system or is it a popular system?
It is solid and easy to play but black is fine. There is no advantage for white and not much to learn because you play always the same position. Good to have easy games or as surprise but not that good as main weapon.
W ringtone
19:10
28:29
3. ..d6
You’re obviously very knowledgeable but you jump between lines a lot, need to organize the thoughts and lines for beginners. Jumping between too many lines with every single move doesn’t help
Literally skipped 20 min into the video before he finally talks about d5 lol...
Sir i love to play english opening when u start english opening series
THANKS BRO,DAWN TO DUSK M IN OUR CHANNEL #HP #UNIVERSAL
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