Jobava London
The aggressive cousin of the London System: Nc3 instead of c3, the queen to d2 and often long castling with a pawn storm.
| First moves | 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4 (or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4) |
|---|---|
| ECO codes | D01, A45 (1...Nf6 without ...d5) |
| Character | Aggressive system, low theory |
| Best for | London players who want sharper positions |
Tap a move to see it on the board. Open any line on the analysis board, or play it out against a bot from where it ends.
Related openings
London System
One setup against almost everything. It is popular at club level and often criticized for producing repetitive games.
Queen's Gambit
One of the oldest openings in chess, mentioned in the Göttingen manuscript of 1490 and still played at the top level today. The Slav and the Semi-Slav both grow out of its first moves.
Dutch Defense
Black answers 1.d4 by claiming e4 at once and preparing an attack on White's kingside, so the game is unbalanced from the first move.
The setup
White develops and early, blocking the c-pawn but pointing both minor pieces at the queenside and the center. The knight can jump to b5 to hit c7, and the queen often comes to d2 with long castling, followed by f3, g4 and h4 against a kingside-castled black king.
It is named after grandmasters Baadur Jobava of Georgia and Richárd Rapport, and it is popular online for the same reasons as the London: one setup, little theory and early threats. About one in eight Lichess games below 1600 that start continue .
White's plans
- against c7. If Black is careless, and or wins material at once.
- Long castling and a pawn storm. , , , and : a fast, opposite-side race.
- e3, and a quieter game. White can also treat it as a London with the knight on c3, aiming for an e4 break.
How to meet it as Black
Strike in the center with . Be ready for : takes b5 away from the knight, defends c7, and with challenges the f4 bishop. An early does not defend c7, and on Lichess above 2000 White wins 66% of games after . A plan with and , getting the light-squared bishop out first, is also playable, though White can chase the bishop with f3 and g4.
Do not drift into a passive setup: against a quick and g4-h4, Black needs counterplay in the center or on the queenside before the storm arrives.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jobava London good?
It is sound and practical, and it gives White an active game with very little theory to learn.
What is the difference between the London and the Jobava London?
The London plays c3 and Nd2 for a solid center; the Jobava plays early, keeping options of , long castling and a pawn storm, so the positions are much sharper.
How do you beat the Jobava London?
Hit the center with . Cover c7 against , and develop the light-squared bishop with before .