Indian Defense: London System
This London System line is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4, with White's bishop placed outside the pawn chain before e3. Black chooses between ...d5 with ...c5 for a classical center, or ...b6 and ...Bb7 for a Queen's Indian setup, while White builds e3, c3 and Bd3.
- Moves
- 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4
- ECO
- A46
- Engine
- +0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 4,006 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 52.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play e3, Nbd2 and c3 to make a solid triangle, then Bd3 to point at h7.
- If ...Qb6 hits b2, defend with Rb1 as in the top engine line rather than giving the pawn.
- Against ...b6 and ...Bb7, place the bishop on d3 and use h3 so ...Nh5 never traps or trades it.
- Keep Ne5 and a later e4 push in mind once Black commits the c8 bishop.
Black
- 3...d5 and ...c5 strike d4; ...Qb6 then hits b2 and d4 together, as in the main engine line.
- The ...b6 and ...Bb7 setup keeps the c8 bishop active and fights for e4 from a distance.
- ...Nh5 can chase the f4 bishop if White has not played h3; the third engine line goes Bg5 after it.
- After ...c5 and ...Nc6, the pressure on d4 grows; White usually keeps the pawn chain with c3.
Plans and pawn structure
Because Black's knight is already on f6 and the e-pawn on e6, the dark bishop on f8 is free but the c8 bishop needs a plan, either ...b6 and ...Bb7 or ...d5, ...c5 and ...Bd7. White's routine is e3, c3, Nbd2, Bd3 and O-O, and then Ne5 or e4. If Black goes ...c5 and ...Qb6, the b2 pawn becomes the battle point and White answers with Rb1 or Qc1. In the ...b6 lines, the fight is about the e4 square.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.13 3...d5 4.e3 c5 5.Nbd2 Qb6 6.Rb1
- +0.15 3...c5 4.e3 d5 5.c3 Bd6 6.Bb5+
- +0.29 3...b6 4.e3 Bb7 5.Bd3 Nh5 6.Bg5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
4,006 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, pick one plan early: ...c5 with ...Qb6, or ...b6 with ...Bb7. Do not let White push e4 for free. If White delays h3, ...Nh5 gives you a chance to grab the bishop pair.
Questions
What are the moves of the Indian Defense: London System?
The Indian Defense: London System starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.Bf4. Its ECO code is A46.
Is the Indian Defense: London System good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 4,006 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.5%. A reliable system for White players who like structure, while Black has several sound setups and needs only a clear plan.
What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: London System?
White sets up the bishop on f4, then e3, c3 and Bd3. Black fights with ...d5 and ...c5 against d4 and b2, or with ...b6 and ...Bb7 aimed at e4.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d5, with c5 and b6 close behind. 3...d5 claims the center and prepares ...c5, the classical answer to the London.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.