ECO D00

Jobava London System

Also known as: Jobava-Prié Attack

The Jobava London System is a combative reinterpretation of the venerable London, arising after 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4, with a typical continuation 3...e6 4.e3. In place of the quiet c3 and Nf3 setup of the Classical London, White develops the knight to c3 early and pairs it with the dark-squared bishop on f4, generating far more dynamic and attacking possibilities. A key point is the threat of Nb5, hitting the sensitive c7 and d6 squares and often forcing awkward concessions. Popularised by the inventive Georgian grandmaster Baadur Jobava, this hybrid has surged in popularity as an ambitious, low-theory way to fight for the initiative from the very first moves.

1. d4 Nf6 2. Nc3 d5 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3

Strategic ideas

The Jobava London aims to combine the solidity of a London structure with genuine attacking bite. By committing the knight to c3 rather than blunting it with an early c2-c3, White keeps open the possibility of Nb5, a recurring motif that targets c7 and d6 and can provoke weakening moves such as ...Na6 or ...c6. The bishop on f4 controls the important e5 and b8-h2 diagonals, and White often follows with rapid development, a well-timed f2-f3 and e3-e4 break, or direct kingside expansion.

Because the knight sits on c3, White generally forgoes the reinforcing c2-c3 that defines the classical London, accepting a slightly different pawn structure in exchange for piece activity. Black, for their part, seeks to neutralize the Nb5 idea with an early ...c6 or ...Bd6, challenge the f4-bishop, and complete development smoothly. The middlegames tend to be sharper and more double-edged than in the mainstream London, rewarding energetic, initiative-seeking play.

Main variations

After the signature 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4, Black has several respectable setups. The solid 3...e6 prepares ...Bd6 or ...c5 and is often met by 4.e3 followed by quick development. The immediate 3...a6 discourages Nb5 before it becomes annoying, while 3...c5 challenges the centre at once. A critical try is 3...c6 preparing ...Qb6, hitting b2 and the f4-bishop, which is one of the main tests of White's aggressive scheme.

White's plans typically involve castling, a rook lift or pawn storm on the kingside, and the central f3 and e4 breaks to open lines toward the black king. The Nb5 jump, when well timed, can force ...Na6 or a concession on the queenside dark squares. Both sides must handle the resulting imbalances accurately, as the positions are less charted than in the Classical London and place a premium on understanding over memorized theory.

History and background

The London System has roots in the early twentieth century, taking its name from the London 1922 tournament, and it long enjoyed a reputation as a solid, low-maintenance system. The aggressive Nc3-and-Bf4 treatment was championed by the Georgian grandmaster Baadur Jobava, whose creative and uncompromising style brought the line into the spotlight in the 2010s; it is sometimes also linked to the French grandmaster Éric Prié, hence the alternative name Jobava-Prié Attack. Since then it has been embraced across the rating spectrum as a practical, initiative-oriented weapon, appearing regularly even in elite and rapid play.

Key ideas

• Signature moves are 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4, a sharper London hybrid.
• The early Nc3 enables the thematic Nb5 jump hitting c7 and d6.
• The f4-bishop controls e5 and the b8-h2 diagonal for attacking play.
• White often forgoes c2-c3, trading structure for piece activity.
• Central breaks with f3 and e4 open lines toward the black king.
• Popularised by Baadur Jobava as an ambitious, low-theory system.

Typical plans

Related openings

• London System
• Colle System
• Colle-Zukertort System
• Torre Attack
• Trompowsky Attack
• Richter-Veresov Attack