Anti-London Setup with 3...Bg4
Black pins the f3-Knight with 3...Bg4. White replies flexibly with b3, Bb2, g3, and Bg2, preparing expansion with Nbd2, a3, and Qc2.
1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.b3 Bg4 4.Bb2 Nd7 5.g3 Ngf6 6.Bg2 e6 7.O-O Bd6 8.d3 O-O 9.Nbd2 Qe7 10.a3 a5 11.Qc2 e5
Move by move
- 1.Nf3 – The classical Réti opening 1.Nf3: develops the knight toward the center, controls d4 and e5, and keeps all central pawn options open.
- 1...d5 – A solid response from Black: 1...d5 stakes an immediate claim in the center and clears the path for the light-squared bishop.
- 2.c4 – The hallmark thrust 2.c4: immediately challenges Black's central outpost from afar, offering a wing pawn to undermine d5.
- 2...c6 – Black chooses the solid Slav structure with 2...c6: supports the d5-pawn while keeping the light-squared bishop completely free.
- 3.b3 – Quiet preparation with 3.b3: White prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop to b2, keeping maximum strategic flexibility.
- 3...Bg4 – Energetic pin with 3...Bg4: Black aims to eliminate the f3-knight to loosen White's strategic grip over the central squares.
- 4.Bb2 – Fianchettoing the queen's bishop with 4.Bb2: White claims the long diagonal immediately, ignoring the pin on the f3-knight.
- 4...Nd7 – Developing the knight with 4...Nd7: bolsters the e5-square and supports Black's central chain without impeding the c-pawn.
- 5.g3 – White prepares the kingside fianchetto with 5.g3: opens the path for the g2-bishop to challenge the full length of the board.
- 5...Ngf6 – Black develops with 5...Ngf6: brings a second knight toward the center, increasing control over key central squares d5 and e4.
- 6.Bg2 – The bishop settles on 6.Bg2: occupies the great diagonal and neutralizes Black's active strategic aspirations along the center.
- 6...e6 – Solid pawn reinforcement with 6...e6: Black solidifies the central chain while opening a diagnostic diagonal for the dark-squared bishop.
- 7.O-O – White secures the king with 7.O-O: completes basic kingside mobilization and readies the rooks to take charge of central files.
- 7...Bd6 – Black posts the bishop on 7...Bd6: points toward White's kingside and prepares to castle in a harmonious, well-coordinated posture.
- 8.d3 – The controlled push 8.d3: guards the central light squares and provides essential support for White's planned knight maneuvers.
- 8...O-O – Black completes castling with 8...O-O: both sides have safeguarded their monarchs and now begin the fight for positional supremacy.
- 9.Nbd2 – Flexible knight deployment with 9.Nbd2: supports the thematic e4-break without blocking the long diagonal of the b2-bishop.
- 9...Qe7 – Black centralizes the queen with 9...Qe7: connects the rooks and prepares an immediate central push with ...e5 in the near future.
- 10.a3 – Useful flank preparation with 10.a3: prepares b4 expansion on the queenside and denies Black pieces the active b4-outpost.
- 10...a5 – Prophylactic response with 10...a5: restrains White's b4-advance and secures valuable breathing room on the queenside flank.
- 11.Qc2 – The queen develops smoothly to 11.Qc2: defends d2, connects the rooks, and prepares the thematic central expansion e2-e4.
- 11...e5 – Central expansion with 11...e5: Black erects an impressive pawn presence in the center, giving White classical targets to undermine.
How to exploit the position
White neutralizes the pin on Nf3 by coordinating pieces behind the double fianchetto
- Develop Bb2 and Bg2 to maintain long-range control across both diagonals
- Support the center with d3 and Nbd2 without blocking the dark-squared Bishop
- Prepare expansion on the queenside with a3, Qc2, and eventual b4
- Retain the two Bishops or exploit the dark squares if Black trades on f3
Master tips
Handling the Bg4 pin
Black's pin on f3 is easily neutralized by White's harmonious piece coordination