I will definitely be referring back to this vid from time to time partly because it is both educational and simple to grasp and because these days my memory seems to need frequent refreshing
That's because it is analyzing all possibilities, like a computer. The London System is good because humans can grasp its structure and strategy, and not have to consider all possible moves.
21:03 According to engine, Rb1 leads to draw, while Qb1 maintains +2.3. In every case, black always takes on c3. If you play Rb1 hoping to regain the pawn by taking on b7 this leads to an advantage for black. Crucial in that position would be to play Kd1, forfeiting the right to castle but stepping out of the pin. Also decent is Ne2, kicking the queen.
3:32 rule 1: start with 2. Bf4 4:55 rule 2: create a pyramid 6:39 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e6 c3 4. c5 7:12 rule 3: develop minor pieces 7:45 play Nf3 after black plays e6 9:09 rule 4: if Be7, play Ne5 and delay castling 14:28 if Bd6, play Bg3 to semi-open the h file 15:44 meet b6 with e4 16:40 rule 5: be flexible with move order 17:03 2. Nf3 vs 2. Bf4
Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but after watching this I tried the London out against the chess.com computer on a difficulty that I hadn't beaten before. I felt in control the whole time and had quite a bit of fun ramming Harry and Gary down my opponent's throat. I hacked quite a thrilling victory, and I wanted to thank you for making this small-but-exciting chess experience possible for me. Cheers!
I'm 36 beginner I like playing white,I loooooove this video,it's the only one out there where I can clearly hear and understand the instructions and has the why. I gotta get that dvd,if all of his videos are like this I will be addicted,genius RUclips chess.
Not only are you funny, but as someone starting to learn chess, I love the way you break it down into concepts/rules and explain where the flexibility lies in the move order and why. Exactly how my brain wants to process information, thank you.
rule 1: start with 1 d4 2 Bf4!? rule 2: create a pyramid with c3 and e3 rule 3: develop your minor pieces (bishop and knight) rule 4: play Ne5 or e4 rule 5: be flexible with your move order
13:52 mark: "...unstoppable checkmate position black is helpless." Not quite dear boy as 16 ... Nf6 or Rf6 stops mate but does lose. However, 16 ... Rf5 is a fighting move that forces white to continue to try to win. Thank you Simon for all the hard work you put into this. I play the LS 90% of the time and have learned so much from your videos on RUclips. Thanks again mate and cheerios!! (lol)
world's first Simple along with the best expressive chess GM with full of interesting humor .. i don't watch Simon William's videos much but this one made me subscribe .. BY THE WAY .. that to making London so aggressive ... ( your accent says because its your home that is why ) ;)
I'm a dad and my 6 yo daughter just got interested in chest so I'm back to the basics 35 years after the last time I studied chess. I want to learn this system, thanks for making this. Hope there is a lot more without the DVD purchase. New sub
Simon you should put a link to the DVD in the description. Marketing 101. I went to the chessbase website and can't find your DVD on the london system.
Sir, you r by far the best I've seen explaining this system! You r a genius with details other gms, and masters missed or tried to suppress us on! Rule 4!!! Shit!!!! B6, push e4! The Neil degrass of chess !!! Happy New Years my new favorite GM
I prefer playing e3 before c3 because I like having the option for playing c4, Nc3 in some variations. I actually play Nf3 before c3. Usually end up in the same position as shown, though. Very instructive video, thank you.
What a very nice,practical,logical and informative explanation Mr Williams.More power to you.Keep up your good work.I find you different from other coaches.You're great.God bless you.
Subbed because of your casual banter. "Dirty Harry" and "Mexican Standoff between bishops" is way more enjoyable and accessible than hearing about "correct calculation" in an eastern european accent
10:40 Simon, I think Wei Yi played a game where he castled queenside and stormed the kingside with his pawns in the berlin. I guess this just proves your point that any opening can be what you want it to be.
I like playing the London for White. I am an older player, 51, and I find this opening very safe and easy to defend with great striking opportunities. I am not aggressive, but I find this works for me!
You're the BEST..bravo! As typical with your vids, amazingly clear and concise explanations, demonstrations, ideas, and plans laid out!! I've gone from a 1700 player to now a 1920' (blitz 1875) all on your educational videos...and I've played chess for over 40 yrs!! LOL Thank you yet again. I'll be yet another purchaser of your fine deeeeveeeedeeee! Cheers. :)
Looking forward to the video on how to use the London system against indian set-ups. Thanks for again a highly instructional video. I hope this "Learn an opening in five simple stages" will become a series.
You are so Awesome thank you so much for uploading this video. I had only been playing chess for almost 9 months I bought so many books on chess including one about the London and your video helped me so much.
I play e4 and d4. d4 is NOT a virus. You need to play at least a few different openings as black and white to give yourself a full understanding of the openings and of chess.
@@happyhornet1000 I've also played them both but I find that, especially for beginners, e4 has too much h theory to memorize. When playing d4 opening you kind of force your opponent to respond to you meaning you have to know a lot less. In that sense, d4 is a bit like a virus since once you start playing d4, you see how much easier it is. Of course this is all general and everyone had their own preferences but this is the reason I play d4.
Thanks a lot. The London System is my first step towards chess opening theory and I've just played two games with it and won both of them. Love how my pieces were all ready to go in the midgame to create some serious attacks.
This system seems easy enough for (even) me to learn without having to go back again and again to refresh my memory. Time will tell, I suppose. Thank you for sharing
I play the London exclusively. Ive already learned stuff on this short video that I didn't know from years of studying several books and playing. I will buy your 7hr DVD the second it's available. Let me know if you can when I can buy
In position like 8:50 (or even later), after havinig developed the bishop to d3, where does White retreat the bishop to after the move c4? I can see that probably c4 is not a move Black really wants to play because they release the pressure against the top of the pyramid. However, retreating the bishop to c3 blocks White's queen so Qb6 is a threat again? Or then simply b3?
Really enjoyed the explanation on the London System. I'm still a beginner, so had just the right amount of information. I'll have to give this a try. Recently bought the entire GingerGM collection and trying some of the black openings, like the Dutch. Still need LOTS of practice!
man i love your videos, fantastic explaining, not to fast not to difficult, just perfect, and i also like your voice could easily listen hours to it without getting bought :)
Around 18:35 IM Eric Rosen has a video on CCSCSL talking about meeting Qb6 with Nd2 and all the problems black gets into if he takes the pawn on b2. Interesting video.
Fantastic video and extremley well presented with terrific humour, fun and lots of useful knowledge. A huge thank you for your efforts in making these videos.
I'm just getting into chess and what a great video this is! Well structured, clear and supported by examples and useful thoughts. Definitely going to keep an eye on this chanel.
12:27 "We always take with the Pawn" in order to get the defender Knight out of there! The first time I saw this I was wondering why give up the top of the pyramid, but now in the second time having studied more I realize.
Qb6 is one of my favorite moves to play using the Pirc. Depending on the move order, many times I have won from my opponent blundering a knight and a pawn since they're preoccupied getting their setup.
Simon, waiting (im)patiently for (1) the third installment here, (2) the ChessBase DVD, and (3) the series on chess.com. I've purchased some of your other videos (Dutch, French, maybe others), but this one looks like it will be even better. Especially anxious for the ChessBase DVD.
Your video is very informativ and entertaining at the same time. Since Im 1.e4-player since ever I dont think Ill give your opening a try, but it was very cool to watch nonetheless.
Hi Simon, I'm a relatively modest club player (1600-ish), but have been inspired by your videos to try out the London System, as an alternative to 1.e4. I notice that one of the lines you suggest has an improvement for black. After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.c3 c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Ne5 Bd7 9.h4 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Ne8 11.Bxh7+ Kxh7 12.Qh5+ Kg8 13.Nf3, black has the resource 13...Ba4! aiming to come into c2 to defend h7 (and if 14.b3, then 14...Bb5 with the same idea of occupying the b1-h7 diagonal). I hope this doesn't seem pedantic, since I appreciate that it is an overall system you are trying to get across rather than specific variations, but wondered if there is a better way to handle this line.
~16:15 - i understand why you would say b6 weakens the a8-h1 diagonal. However if the pieces are exchanged as shown and black still has the light squared bishop, wouldn't it simultaneously be strengthening the same line of attack for them?
What to do with ...Nh5 when the Bishop retreats to g3 after the Mexican standoff? A fine video Simon, you always make chess learning fun and less laborious. Thanks
At 19:47 the position arose in a 2007 game Ivanchuk vs Shirov. Ivanchuk allowed a loss of the exchange to get an extra tempo to eventually win the game. It was a tactical smashfest!
Great tutorial, dude. I've been on around six other channels and this is easily the best explanation that I've come across. You sound a bit like you attended public school . . . did you?
This is like the best video explanation on the system i've seen on RUclips.
I will definitely be referring back to this vid from time to time partly because it is both educational and simple to grasp and because these days my memory seems to need frequent refreshing
Great explanation
Man, I feel you with the memory issue...
Love your opening vid. I never find people who explain openings so well
That's because it is analyzing all possibilities, like a computer. The London System is good because humans can grasp its structure and strategy, and not have to consider all possible moves.
21:03 According to engine, Rb1 leads to draw, while Qb1 maintains +2.3. In every case, black always takes on c3. If you play Rb1 hoping to regain the pawn by taking on b7 this leads to an advantage for black. Crucial in that position would be to play Kd1, forfeiting the right to castle but stepping out of the pin. Also decent is Ne2, kicking the queen.
An incredible breakdown.
I’m gonna go butcher it now!
3:32 rule 1: start with 2. Bf4
4:55 rule 2: create a pyramid
6:39 1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e6 c3 4. c5
7:12 rule 3: develop minor pieces
7:45 play Nf3 after black plays e6
9:09 rule 4: if Be7, play Ne5 and delay castling
14:28 if Bd6, play Bg3 to semi-open the h file
15:44 meet b6 with e4
16:40 rule 5: be flexible with move order
17:03 2. Nf3 vs 2. Bf4
Rule 1 be flexible
Thank you, this video is ridiculously verbose
This is sooooooooo much better than any of the other videos I have watched on this system. Thanks so much Simon!
13:52
I have won exactly like that at a tournament game after watching this video. Awsome stuff Simon, you gave me a nice victory :)
Not a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but after watching this I tried the London out against the chess.com computer on a difficulty that I hadn't beaten before. I felt in control the whole time and had quite a bit of fun ramming Harry and Gary down my opponent's throat. I hacked quite a thrilling victory, and I wanted to thank you for making this small-but-exciting chess experience possible for me. Cheers!
I'm 36 beginner I like playing white,I loooooove this video,it's the only one out there where I can clearly hear and understand the instructions and has the why. I gotta get that dvd,if all of his videos are like this I will be addicted,genius RUclips chess.
Not only are you funny, but as someone starting to learn chess, I love the way you break it down into concepts/rules and explain where the flexibility lies in the move order and why. Exactly how my brain wants to process information, thank you.
That was I think the most helpful chess video I've ever seen... so fantastically explained! Thank you so much!
Thanks for watching! It's great to hear that you are finding the London System helpful :)
rule 1: start with 1 d4 2 Bf4!?
rule 2: create a pyramid with c3 and e3
rule 3: develop your minor pieces (bishop and knight)
rule 4: play Ne5 or e4
rule 5: be flexible with your move order
thx mom
Mom?!
Pawn on C4 in Queen Pawn openings!
build a pyramid and then hide behind it....great strategy for checkers, hackers, and patzers
Rule 1: dont play the london system
Your the BEST at explaining chess moves , and i have applied them with good results in my own games . Well done GM Williams !
I wanna buy the day vee dee
penearth it's the day vay day
Hahahaha
Dee four dee five dee vay dee.
Made me laugh hard
Me too
Thanks for all of this. Whether it is a natural or developed talent--you're one of the best teachers I've ever come across in any subject. Thank you.
13:52 mark: "...unstoppable checkmate position black is helpless." Not quite dear boy as 16 ... Nf6 or Rf6 stops mate but does lose. However, 16 ... Rf5 is a fighting move that forces white to continue to try to win. Thank you Simon for all the hard work you put into this. I play the LS 90% of the time and have learned so much from your videos on RUclips. Thanks again mate and cheerios!! (lol)
The best London System video on RUclips imo... Very generous with the information offered.
The best analysis of the LS that I have found so far - thank you...
M ✡️lo xz red. Dr o o ooodtstdd loo
M ✡️lo xz red. Dr o o ooodtstdd loo
world's first Simple along with the best expressive chess GM with full of interesting humor .. i don't watch Simon William's videos much but this one made me subscribe .. BY THE WAY .. that to making London so aggressive ... ( your accent says because its your home that is why ) ;)
I'm a dad and my 6 yo daughter just got interested in chest so I'm back to the basics 35 years after the last time I studied chess.
I want to learn this system, thanks for making this. Hope there is a lot more without the DVD purchase. New sub
The first video on YT which increased my playing strength imedatly. Thank You!
I live your commentary. I am 1400ELO now and have had very good success with the London system, thanks to you! Keep them videos coming!
This opening is a beast. Been playing with it recently with some awesome results.
Simon you should put a link to the DVD in the description. Marketing 101. I went to the chessbase website and can't find your DVD on the london system.
There's no release date yet.
What is the expected date?
Day Vay Day*
Sir, you r by far the best I've seen explaining this system! You r a genius with details other gms, and masters missed or tried to suppress us on! Rule 4!!! Shit!!!! B6, push e4! The Neil degrass of chess !!! Happy New Years my new favorite GM
I prefer playing e3 before c3 because I like having the option for playing c4, Nc3 in some variations. I actually play Nf3 before c3. Usually end up in the same position as shown, though. Very instructive video, thank you.
Yeah, c3 isn't always best. I only play c3 in 2 of the 12 variations in my repertoire and one of them isn't until move 8.
What a very nice,practical,logical and informative explanation Mr Williams.More power to you.Keep up your good work.I find you different from other coaches.You're great.God bless you.
This is the best London system video I've seen. Thanks and good work.
Subbed because of your casual banter. "Dirty Harry" and "Mexican Standoff between bishops" is way more enjoyable and accessible than hearing about "correct calculation" in an eastern european accent
Excellent teacher! If you make all systems sound this good... I'll have to see em!
Can't recommend London system enough! Won thousands of blitz/rapid games and quite a few league/tournament games with it. Great work by Simon! :)
Thanks, I was looking for someone who can explain London system , You are the best.
I think therefore IM
get it..
underated comment
Can I use this once I become an IM?
Layered. Because GMs are so good that they don't need to think...
Thx for the tip cause im a london player and i think that this is awesome
I’ve just started using this system too & unless I’m attacked early, I win almost every time.
Black Queen to B6 man...
:)
10:40 Simon, I think Wei Yi played a game where he castled queenside and stormed the kingside with his pawns in the berlin. I guess this just proves your point that any opening can be what you want it to be.
I like playing the London for White. I am an older player, 51, and I find this opening very safe and easy to defend with great striking opportunities. I am not aggressive, but I find this works for me!
You're the BEST..bravo! As typical with your vids, amazingly clear and concise explanations, demonstrations, ideas, and plans laid out!! I've gone from a 1700 player to now a 1920' (blitz 1875) all on your educational videos...and I've played chess for over 40 yrs!! LOL Thank you yet again. I'll be yet another purchaser of your fine deeeeveeeedeeee! Cheers. :)
When does that chessbase DVD get released, Simon? Could you give us a reminder when it's out? I don't want to forget about it.
Thanks! Wanted to try the London system again but was never sure what to do after getting the basic structure.
Ayrton Woulfe try to exchange pieces
Ya, i've learned how to play the London since that comment. Switched to the scotch game though, found it to be better suited to my play style.
Great video. I always come back every once in a while to refresh myself on this when I notice my play getting sloppy
Looking forward to the video on how to use the London system against indian set-ups. Thanks for again a highly instructional video. I hope this "Learn an opening in five simple stages" will become a series.
Best London vid I've seen yet. Thanks GM.
looking forward to some blitz videos with the london system. i think this is the first opening i really learned because its so easy to understand
Thank you very much for the video, a note for myself and anyone who can find it useful the recap starts at 22:02
Holy cow this guy is a great teacher! So much better than GothamChess! if you ask me!
Subscribed for sure!
You are so Awesome thank you so much for uploading this video. I had only been playing chess for almost 9 months I bought so many books on chess including one about the London and your video helped me so much.
Nice, good info.
17:01 for future reference - is the bit where he explains why to move the bishop before the knight.
prob the best london system video ive seen on you tube
Thank You Simon! I've played e4 for 99% of my games but now I'm going to try d4
can't go back to e4 once you've got the d4 virus.
Yup this is so true! I am getting so many winning attacks playing this opening. The London System is NOT boring!!
I play e4 and d4. d4 is NOT a virus. You need to play at least a few different openings as black and white to give yourself a full understanding of the openings and of chess.
@@happyhornet1000 I've also played them both but I find that, especially for beginners, e4 has too much h theory to memorize.
When playing d4 opening you kind of force your opponent to respond to you meaning you have to know a lot less.
In that sense, d4 is a bit like a virus since once you start playing d4, you see how much easier it is.
Of course this is all general and everyone had their own preferences but this is the reason I play d4.
Thanks a lot. The London System is my first step towards chess opening theory and I've just played two games with it and won both of them. Love how my pieces were all ready to go in the midgame to create some serious attacks.
This system seems easy enough for (even) me to learn without having to go back again and again to refresh my memory. Time will tell, I suppose. Thank you for sharing
Thanks, Sensei.
this channel???
I play the London exclusively. Ive already learned stuff on this short video that I didn't know from years of studying several books and playing. I will buy your 7hr DVD the second it's available. Let me know if you can when I can buy
In position like 8:50 (or even later), after havinig developed the bishop to d3, where does White retreat the bishop to after the move c4? I can see that probably c4 is not a move Black really wants to play because they release the pressure against the top of the pyramid. However, retreating the bishop to c3 blocks White's queen so Qb6 is a threat again? Or then simply b3?
Wonderful presentation, makes you really want to learn these lines.
Really enjoyed the explanation on the London System. I'm still a beginner, so had just the right amount of information. I'll have to give this a try. Recently bought the entire GingerGM collection and trying some of the black openings, like the Dutch. Still need LOTS of practice!
Brilliant!
I've watched videos on the London by three or four other chess experts, but this is my favourite. Looking forward to implementing this!
By this video i won my first ranked game with pure dominance... and I played with Black following your principles... thanks allot!!!
You're legend, Simon. Love you Chess.com premium videos and you RUclips channel
Thanks for this mate. Helped me get from 1050 to 1400 in blitz in two weeks.
Okay so at 8:50, why doesnt black now push with the pawn to knock whites bishop back?
It doesn't really do anything. The bishop just moves back to c2 and it's still on that really good diagonal.
man i love your videos, fantastic explaining, not to fast not to difficult, just perfect, and i also like your voice could easily listen hours to it without getting bought :)
Well then... looking forward to the Killer Berlin DVD I suppose...
You have more clarity in your presentation than most, twinned with some fun so a winning formula Simon.
It is the most important video i found on London system. Can you please make a video on the english opening.
He already made a DVD on it
Around 18:35 IM Eric Rosen has a video on CCSCSL talking about meeting Qb6 with Nd2 and all the problems black gets into if he takes the pawn on b2. Interesting video.
I never enjoyed opening learning at such ease . Ive suffered against Queen b6 move against my wrong move order . Thank you man 👍
That line that starts around the 25:04 mark is really great. Quite a bit of foresight there.
nice
Fantastic video and extremley well presented with terrific humour, fun and lots of useful knowledge. A huge thank you for your efforts in making these videos.
I'm just getting into chess and what a great video this is! Well structured, clear and supported by examples and useful thoughts. Definitely going to keep an eye on this chanel.
12:27 "We always take with the Pawn" in order to get the defender Knight out of there! The first time I saw this I was wondering why give up the top of the pyramid, but now in the second time having studied more I realize.
Oh and maybe actually that's the purpose of Ne5 in the first place! Cool.
Qb6 is one of my favorite moves to play using the Pirc. Depending on the move order, many times I have won from my opponent blundering a knight and a pawn since they're preoccupied getting their setup.
Love the London. Play it all the time and have pretty good results with it. Good stuff, Simon. And great DVD, too!
Simon, waiting (im)patiently for (1) the third installment here, (2) the ChessBase DVD, and (3) the series on chess.com. I've purchased some of your other videos (Dutch, French, maybe others), but this one looks like it will be even better. Especially anxious for the ChessBase DVD.
THE best chess video available freely, thank you Gingergm
Your video is very informativ and entertaining at the same time. Since Im 1.e4-player since ever I dont think Ill give your opening a try, but it was very cool to watch nonetheless.
This video is absolutely amazing! Thank you for such gold content.
Hi Simon, I'm a relatively modest club player (1600-ish), but have been inspired by your videos to try out the London System, as an alternative to 1.e4. I notice that one of the lines you suggest has an improvement for black. After 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.c3 c5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Nbd2 Be7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Ne5 Bd7 9.h4 Nxe5 10.dxe5 Ne8 11.Bxh7+ Kxh7 12.Qh5+ Kg8 13.Nf3, black has the resource 13...Ba4! aiming to come into c2 to defend h7 (and if 14.b3, then 14...Bb5 with the same idea of occupying the b1-h7 diagonal). I hope this doesn't seem pedantic, since I appreciate that it is an overall system you are trying to get across rather than specific variations, but wondered if there is a better way to handle this line.
Been looking forward to this video since you teased it with those blitz games the other day, thanks Simon!
Well done. A lively and stimulating presentation!
Simmon thank you, thanks to your insights about this opening i beat my first opponent rated 2050 uscf. Thank u
London system, Egyptian pyramid, Greek gift, Mexican standoff... Lol. Sounds like the British museum's legally obtained artifacts.
~16:15 - i understand why you would say b6 weakens the a8-h1 diagonal.
However if the pieces are exchanged as shown and black still has the light squared bishop, wouldn't it simultaneously be strengthening the same line of attack for them?
This is absolutely excellent. Simple. Straightforward and funny!
Pellucid and wonderful. Thanks Simon!
Great comments and a logical order of explanations. Really well done. Thanks.
This is brilliant, thanks a lot for sharing GingerGM
What to do with ...Nh5 when the Bishop retreats to g3 after the Mexican standoff? A fine video Simon, you always make chess learning fun and less laborious. Thanks
I dont consider myself a lazy player but I love the London system and giving a good thrashing to unsuspecting players. Good video m8.
Best video about the London system I've seen! But ... I have to ask ... what's with the pyramid? With the eye? And the masonic sign, in each corner?
I had chessgasms while watching this video. What beautiful explanations!😭😭
The content we’re here for, Post Simone
At 19:47 the position arose in a 2007 game Ivanchuk vs Shirov. Ivanchuk allowed a loss of the exchange to get an extra tempo to eventually win the game. It was a tactical smashfest!
Great tutorial, dude. I've been on around six other channels and this is easily the best explanation that I've come across. You sound a bit like you attended public school . . . did you?
@ 13:46 it seems that Black must give back some material such as ...Bxg5 but maybe a rook swinger would follow?
13:43 what if black gives back a piece here and chops of the pawn on g5 with his bishop? how do we mate black then? his still up a piece ...
Yeah, I was wondering that too. He said "there's no way to stop mate". lol
Great video, Simon. Looking forward for more from you about the London System !