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London System/Sarratt Attack Collections Combine This is a combining of collections compiled by MidnightDuffer, MTuraga, Mislav, Jared10001, and EndlessKnot. Fredthebear has altered the labels and order of games. Thank you MidnightDuffer, MTuraga, Mislav, Jared10001, and Endlessknot! This queen pawn system featuring Bf4 (leaving the b2-pawn undefended) gives White a slow, easy developmental start. The Bf4 games typically do not produce smashing miniatures in 25 moves or less. The Bf4 generates a safe, solid but slightly passive position; games are more strategical in nature, less tactical (tactics can break out at any time in any opening) so plenty of chess playing experience is not only helpful but necessary. (Rapid development is important, but simply setting minor pieces on certain squares does not win a game of chess!) The Sarratt Attack/London System functions fairly well against the Indian defenses as well as classical d5, e6 defenses. It's not so hot against the Dutch Defense, but it's playable. Just be aware that any White opening that refrains from placing two pawns in the center along the fourth rank gives Black great leeway for a wide selection of defenses. After Bf4, White is allowing Black the liberty to paint tiger stripes and pin donkey tails on a skunk if s/he wishes! Note that the Barry Attack places a Nc3 blocking the c2-pawn, whereas the Sarratt Attack 2.Bf4 and London System 3.Bf4 place a pawn on c3 (or c4). Some games in the database are occasionally miss-categorized (which occurs in all opening variations). The Torre Attack 2.Nf3 3.Bg5 and the Richter-Veresov Attack 2.Nc3 3.Bg5 are more aggressive than the Bf4 openings above. Unfortunately, the Torre Attack does not work so well if Black refrains from an early e6 or g6. The Richter-Veresov Attack yearns to play e4 and more closely resembles 1.e4 openings, often transposing against a French, Caro-Kann, Pirc or Nimzowitsch defense. These two Bg5 White openings require more theoretical knowledge and are not included in this collection. Personally, Fredthebear recommends 1.e4 lines, gambits, the King's Indian Attack, or 1.d4 Colle Systems for beginners and intermediates. Such openings strive for some type of specific central pawn advance or exchange to clarify the strategic aims. Their "built-in" pawn thrust plans might generate a more clear-cut approach in the early middle game that is easier for the amateur player to conduct. It's best to learn any new opening off a professionally produced video and chess repertoire book (books cover way more ground than videos) AFTER you've replayed a 50-100 master games in a particular new opening and have decided you want to commit to studying it more in depth. Notice that nothing was said about you playing the opening...but you have watched OTHERS play the opening many times to get a feel for it through their handling! Human beings learn most by imitating others. Then let the published author give his/her expertise to show you the way for specific situations that will arise. Most good repertoire books have an opening index in the back that can be rehearsed for quick familiarization as to different branches. 119 games, 1882-2017 QP System with Bf4 (London, Tarzan, Veresov) Combining the London System, Barry Attack, Tarzan Attack, and Veresov with Bf4. Personally, I recommend starting 1.d4 and 2.Bf4, which allows for maximum flexibility. Good books on the London and related lines with Bf4 include: --Sverre Johnsen and Vlatko Kovacevic, Win with the London System (Gambit 2007, 2010). A really excellent guide to playing the London in an aggressive way as White. However, this is not a complete repertoire. --Cyrus Lakdawala, Play the London System (Everyman 2010). A complete d4 repertoire built around the London system, which is a lot more consistent than Lane's repertoire and full of interesting ideas. Many games are not available in databases (some are blitz games of the author's). --Marcus Schmuecker, The London System (123Chess 2009). Originally in German. An English translation appears to be posted online. Offers very thorough coverage of the opening, including minor lines. --Gary Lane, Ideas Behind the Chess Openings (Batsford 2003). Useful more as a repertoire guide than for analysis as the games are full of errors by Black. But I like that it covers the Barry Attack and the 150 Attack vs. the Pirc, which make a great fit with the London repertoire. --Mark van der Werf, "Bishops First: 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4" in SOS #5 (New in Chess 2006): 98-106. This article offers interesting suggestions for starting via this move order, including 2...c5 3.e4!? --Arthur Kogan, "The Tarzan Attack" in SOS #6 (New in Chess 2007): 51-58. A complete analysis of 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4 Bg7 5.Qd2!? which may represent an improvement over the Barry Attack with 5.e3. --Aaron Summerscale and Sverre Johnsen, A Killer Chess Opening Repertoire, enlarged edition (Gambit 2010). Summerscale's original 1999 book is where most players learned the Barry Attack. Parts of the repertoire might also work with the London system, as Lane shows. --Richard Palliser, Starting Out: d-Pawn Attacks: The Colle-Zukertort, Barry and 150 Attacks (Everyman 2008). This book offered an update to Summerscale's then out-of-print repertoire, until Sverre Johnsen came along to update and enlarge the "Killer" repertoire book. Palliser covers the Tarzan Attack but otherwise follows Summerscale. --Jimmy Liew, The Veresov, Move by Move (Everyman 2015). The first Veresov book I know to discuss the lines with Bf4 played by Jobava and Rapport. -- Geza Maroczy, London 1922, 21st Century Edition (Russell Enterprises 2009). It's always fun to go back to the source. Many of Maroczy's annotations can be found right here at Chessgames.com, but the book is still nice. Game Collection: London 1922 London (1922) -- Eric Prie, "No-one Knows the Neo-London." New in Chess Yearbook 83 (2007): 222-230. Discusses the range of possibilities for both players following 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5, starting with the game Van der Werf - Krudde, Netherlands 2006-2007. --Alon Greenfeld, "What Do You Do with an Extra Tempo?" New in Chess Yearbook 78 (2006): 216-222. Focuses mostly on 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4 c5 3.e4!? 81 games, 1882-2017