The London System is often chosen by players who want to avoid spending time to study opening theory and just play chess, or for those who are simply to lazy to learn a real opening. Unlike the Torre Attack, where the bishop at g5 plays a significant role, the bishop at f4 in the London System is simply a controller of the e5-square, and although White obtains some initiative in controlling the e5-square this is only a minor disadvantage to Black because he can often get rid of it with …Nh5! It is important not to play such moves too early, however, and the first order of business for Black must be to comfortably develop his Kingside pieces first and quickly castle.
Chessbase Opening Report
The opening report shows that the London does not do to well as an opening for White, and in fact shows Black winning more games at 34% to White wins of only 33%.
Earliest game Watson,C - Euwe,M 0-1 London 1922
Watson - Euwe
On move 29 Watson resignes. A good way to sharpen your endgame skills is to try to guess Fritz's next move as he finishes the game for Black in only 12 moves.
Watson - Euwe (Fritz)
Statistics:
White scores below average 50%
White wins=33% Draws=33% Black wins=34%
GM Alexey Dreey (Russsia Born 1969 ELO 2690) had some success with it, and in the 11 games he played he won 7 for a score of 64%
Other GM's in the opening report:
Mark E. Taimanov 5/9=56%
Zoltan Ribi 4/6=67%
Ian Rogers 2 5/3 =67%
Lajos Portisch 2 5/4=50%
Gata Kamsky 2/3=67%
Boris V Spassky 1 5/2=50%
Bent Larsen 1 5/3=33%
Ulf Andersson 1 5/3=33%
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