Queen's Bishop Opening (1.d4 d5 2.Bf4): the direct London
Do you like the London System but want to get straight to the point? The Queen’s Bishop Opening (1.d4 d5 2.Bf4) does exactly that: it develops the bishop to its best square on move 2.
The main idea
The golden rule is not to lock your queen’s bishop behind your own pawns. With 2.Bf4, White brings it out before playing e3, leaving it active and pointing toward the kingside.
- It’s the most direct version of the London System.
- Natural development and clear plans.
- Needs very little theory: ideal for practical players.
The first moves
You play White. Bring the bishop out to f4 before locking it in with e3, and complete harmonious development with Nf3. The typical London structure, without the theory.
Who is it for?
For players who want a solid, repeatable system with White. If you like it, dig deeper into the London System and compare it with the Colle System and the Torre Attack.
Related openings: Closed openings · London System · Colle System · Torre Attack · All openings
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Preguntas frecuentes
What is the Queen's Bishop Opening?
It's the opening 1.d4 d5 2.Bf4, which develops the queen's bishop to its best square before playing e3 (which would lock it in). It's closely related to the London System; in fact, it usually transposes directly into it.
How is it different from the London System?
It's practically the same thing with a different move order. The classic London usually starts with 1.d4 and 2.Nf3 before developing the bishop; here White plays 2.Bf4 immediately. The strategic idea — an active bishop outside the pawn chain — is identical.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. It's one of the most comfortable ways to play with White: development is natural, plans are clear, and you need very little theory. That's why the London and its relatives are so popular at every level.