London System, with Be2 · A48
Main line, after 5. Be2, through 5... O-O
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. Bf4 Bg7 4. e3 d6 5. Be2 O-O
Black's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal. Bf4 gets outside the pawn chain before it closes, then the same sound setup against nearly anything: c3, e3, Bd3 - low theory, a solid centre, a quiet kingside pull.
The first 4 moves, explained
- 1. d4 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e5, and frees the bishop and queen.
- 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4.
- 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. It also props up the d4 pawn. Theory calls this the Knights Variation.
- 2... g6 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g7. Theory calls this the East Indian Defense.
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Where this fits
This line is one of 3 in the London System, with Be2. If you want to know where your own games leave it, the guide on leaving theory explains how that is found.