English: New York/London Defence

Before the first move

The New York or London System setup within the English Opening is a solid, strategic choice for Black. By mirroring White's flank development, you aim to secure the center with pawns and develop your light-squared bishop outside the pawn chain before settling into a sturdy, flexible structure.

1. c4White

White starts with c4, the English Opening. This move exerts pressure on the center without committing the central pawns just yet. It is a sophisticated choice that often transposes into other systems, challenging you to find a reliable setup right from the first move.

1... c6Black · your move

Move your pawn to c6. This is a solid response that prepares to challenge the center with d5 on the next move. It keeps your options open, allowing you to enter Caro-Kann or Slav-like structures while blunting White's influence on the d5-square.

Other paths here: f5 (English Opening: Anglo-Dutch Defense) · Nc6 (English Opening: Anglo-Lithuanian Variation) · d5 (English Opening: Anglo-Scandinavian Defense) · g6 (English Opening: Great Snake Variation)

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, a standard developing move that reinforces control over the center. White could also choose g3, steering into a pure English Fianchetto system, but the knight development keeps the pressure on d5 and maintains maximum flexibility for the pieces behind it.

Other paths here: g3 (English: Caro-Kann Defence)

2... d5Black · your move

Push your pawn to d5. This is your primary central strike, challenging White's c4 pawn and claiming space in the heart of the board. Since you prepared this with c6, you are ready to maintain a pawn on d5 even if White decides to capture it.

Other paths here: Nf6 (English: Caro-Kann Defence)

3. b3White

White plays b3, preparing to develop the bishop to b2. This is a hallmark of the New York/London setup. White could instead play e3 to solidify the center or g3 to focus on the kingside, but b3 signals a direct fight for the long a1-h8 diagonal.

Other paths here: e3 (English: Caro-Kann Defence, 3.e3) · g3 (English: Caro-Kann Defence, 3.g3)

3... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6. This move brings a piece toward the center, prepares for castling, and adds a second defender to your d5-pawn. It is a flexible developing move that fits into almost any setup you might choose from here.

4. Bb2White

White follows through with Bb2, placing the bishop on its most influential diagonal. White sometimes tries g3 here first, known as the Bled Variation, but the immediate b2 development is more direct in challenging Black's central control and future development.

Other paths here: g3 (Bled Variation, English)

4... Bf5Black · your move

Develop your bishop to f5. This is the 'London' or 'New York' style development for Black. By placing the bishop outside the pawn chain before playing e6, you ensure it remains an active piece that controls the important h3-c8 diagonal and the e4 square.

Other paths here: Bg4 (English: Capablanca) · g6 (English: Bled Variation)

Where you stand

The position is strategically rich and balanced. White will likely try to undermine d5 with g3 and Bg2, or perhaps jump the knight to h4 to harass the f5-bishop. Black should focus on playing e6, Be7, and castling, maintaining a rock-solid central presence while being ready to meet White's flank pressure with active piece play.

• f3-h4 Harass the active f5 bishop
• f8-e7 Develop bishop and prepare castling
• e7-e8 Secure the king behind pawns
• g2-g3 Prepare kingside fianchetto with Bg2