1.d4 — the closed and Indian games
Jobava London System
1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bf4ECO D00
A sharper, more aggressive cousin of the London System: developing the knight to c3 before playing e3 keeps options open for a quick e4 or Qd2-and-O-O-O race. Named for Georgian GM Baadur Jobava, it swaps the classical London's quiet reputation for genuine attacking chances against both …d5 and King's-Indian-style setups.
Key ideas
- Nc3 first keeps e2–e4 in one move on the table, something the main-line London can't easily claim.
- White can castle queenside and launch a kingside pawn storm, or castle short for a calmer game — real flexibility.
- Works against almost anything Black tries on move one, so it's a genuine one-system repertoire.
Who it suits
1.d4 players who want the London's low-theory ease with real attacking teeth.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Jobava London System move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer