.jpeg)
1. Typical move orders of the London System
In practice, the London System typically arises via two move orders:
1.d4 Nf6 (alternatively 1...d5) 2.Nf3 and 3.Bf4
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 and 3.Nf3 (alternatively 3.e3 or 3.c3)
Advocates of the 2.Bf4 move order often argue that it offers greater flexibility:
White deliberately refrains from committing the king’s knight too early in order to react more flexibly to Black’s setup, while at the same time keeping the d1–h5 diagonal open.
A practical antidote to a schematic setup
2. Marin's concept: The early counter …Nh5
This is precisely where Marin’s idea comes in: with the provocative knight move to h5, Black immediately challenges White’s concept and initiates an early hunt for the bishop.
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 Nh5!?
This move should by no means be dismissed as a mere “coffeehouse idea”, but is based on a clearly defined strategic concept. Black aims to secure the bishop pair and is willing to invest a tempo in the opening to achieve it.
In practical play, the idea is quite venomous and perfectly suited to the 60 Minutes format, in which a concept or opening variation is presented within the space of one hour.
3. Strategic Consequences for White
Although the London System still carries the reputation of being a schematic opening, this assessment is outdated. Modern London players possess a far more nuanced understanding of the resulting structures. Nevertheless, the early thrust 2...Nh5 forces White out of familiar territory: the bishop on f4 is immediately challenged, compelling White to make a fundamental decision at an early stage.
Since the bishop pair is often regarded as a long-term strategic asset, White’s main choices are essentially limited to 3.Bd2 and 3.Bg5. These two continuations form the thematic core of the course. Marin examines them — supplemented by an introductory chapter on general concepts and sidelines — across four chapters in total, with 3.Bd2 receiving the main emphasis.
4. The Practical Value of the Idea
What does Black gain in concrete terms? Above all, White is prevented from reaching the familiar London setup. Instead, the game tends to transpose into structures more typical of classical Queen’s Pawn openings. This can seriously disrupt White’s preparation and often forces the first player into less familiar types of positions, where general positional understanding becomes more important than concrete theoretical knowledge.
Demonstrating that the extra tempo can actually be exploited is by no means straightforward — especially for players with limited experience in these structures.
5. Conclusion
The idea 2.Bf4 Nh5 is primarily to be understood as a practical weapon. Objectively, it does not necessarily promise full equality against precise play by White, but it derives considerable value from confronting the opponent with concrete problems at an early stage and provoking inaccuracies. In addition, Black quickly seizes the initiative, since the threat of securing the bishop pair demands an immediate reaction.
As a permanent cornerstone of a repertoire, the variation may be less convincing. As a targeted surprise weapon, however, it possesses significant practical potential. Especially against less experienced London players and in games with reduced time controls, this approach is likely to prove highly effective.
What more could one ask from a surprise weapon that appears on the board as early as move two?
Overall evaluation: ★★★★★ 4/5
About the author
Born in 1965, Mihail Marin is a multiple Romanian champion and first crossed the 2600 Elo mark in 2001. Marin possesses a gift that is rare among grandmasters: the ability to explain the ideas and underlying concepts behind moves, variations and positions in a clear and accessible way. This talent is particularly evident in his contributions to ChessBase Magazine. Marin has written several highly acclaimed books, including Secrets of Chess Defence and Learn from the Legends. He lives in Leiro, Spain, together with his wife Maria Yugina.
Mihail Marin in the ChessBase Shop
More about the London System
