The London System, also known as the Mason Variation, is an opening system in chess where White opens with 1.
London System.
| a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h The London System setup | |
|---|---|
| Moves | d4, Nf3, Bf4 |
| Parent | Queen’s Pawn Game |
| Synonym(s) | Mason Variation |
Is the London System a good chess opening?
The London System is an easy-to-learn opening that promises white a comfortable game without much effort. The appeal of such a system is obvious, but I generally don’t recommend the London to developing chess players.
What kind of opening is the English?
flank opening
The English Opening is a flank opening where White advances their c-pawn two squares instead of the d- or e-pawns. The English is a highly transpositional opening, meaning that in many cases the game will reach the same position that arises from other openings and through different move orders.
Is the English Opening a system?
The English Opening is a well-regarded opening system for white. The c-pawn does a good job of controlling central space, while allowing white to remain flexible in the deployment of their two central pawns.
Is the London System passive?
London is one of the lines people think is weak and passive but never manages to play correctly against. They say it is passive, while at the end of the day, it is black who is suffering. Now some people don’t know theory and play it merely as a system. That makes it passive.
Do grandmasters play the London System?
Nowadays it is hard to find a strong grandmaster that has never played the London System. It is mostly thanks to the current world champion Magnus Carlsen that this opening has become trendy.
What is the riskiest opening in chess?
Of the twenty possible first moves in chess, author and grandmaster Edmar Mednis argues that 1. f3 is the worst.
Is c4 a good chess opening?
c4 is a great opening and is comparable to d4 and e4; it really just depends on what type of middlegame you’d like to play.
Is c4 the best opening?
c4) is the fourth most popular opening to a chess game, after 1. e4, 1. d4, and 1. Nf3.
Is English an attacking opening?
English Opening is a perfect choice for aggressive players who prefer to play schemes and creative plans rather than memorizing heavy theory. Besides the common opening moves 1. e4 and 1. d4, white’s most popular move is 1.
What is the c4 opening called?
the English Opening
The opening is called the English Opening because it was introduced and regularly played by the English unofficial World Chess Champion Howard Staunton in the 1840s and 1850s. The English Opening is a flank opening, meaning that White starts off by pushing the c-pawn instead of the typical e- or d-pawns.
What is the most popular chess opening?
1.e4
White starts by playing 1. e4 (moving their king pawn two spaces). This is the most popular opening move and it has many strengths—it immediately works on controlling the center, and it frees two pieces (the queen and a bishop).
What openings does Magnus Carlsen play?
Magnus Carlsen Repertoire with Black pieces (most played)
| ECO | Opening | Games |
|---|---|---|
| B30 | Sicilian defence | 56 games |
| B33 | Sicilian defence | 54 games |
| C65 | Ruy Lopez, Berlin defence | 48 games |
| C67 | Ruy Lopez, Berlin defence, open variation | 47 games |
What is London opening?
The London System, also known as the Mason Variation, is an opening system in chess where White opens with 1. d4 but does not play the Queen’s Gambit, instead opting to rapidly develop the dark-squared bishop . This often results in closed game .
Can you use London opening as Black?
Bf4 or 2. Nf3. Beginners will find it easier to adopt the London System because it is a system-based opening that prioritizes rapid development. Yes, indeed, Black will often reach positions where White has a slight advantage, or the position is theoretically equal.
Why is it called the London System?
The opening is now called the “London System” because it was applied several times in the London 1922 tournament. However, it had been been played much earlier. To get an overview, I consulted the MEGA Database of ChessBase to see all games played with this opening until the end of the 19th century.
What is the average IQ of a Grandmaster in chess?
Strong grandmasters with a rating of around and over 2600 are expected to have an IQ of 160 plus. The strongest grandmasters of the day with their ratings hovering around 2800 are expected to have IQs around 180.
Who is the weakest Grandmaster in chess?
In the same week that the chess world lost a great in Viktor Korchnoi, the world’s weakest Grandmaster Herman Suradiradja (cover and top) also passed away, aged 69.
Do you need a high IQ to be a chess Grandmaster?
No, they are not. Just like in any other activity, having a high IQ is a big boost and helps a lot, but its not neccesary to play chess.
What is the rarest move in chess?
Underpromoting to a bishop must be the rarest move in chess. We can easily think of some famous examples of rook promotions (such as the brilliant Saavedra study), and by comparison knight underpromotions happen every day – just think of this opening trap in the Albin Countergambit.
What is the weakest Square in chess?
f7 really is the weakest square but White doesn’t always have the time to attack it. There are some exceptions though. For example after 1.