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The Jobava London System: Play it, Counter it, Master it!

I don't believe playing g6 is the right idea against Jobava London because most of the game black is pretty much defending. It may be good over short time controls but over longer time controls it can be easily punished (Personal experience in tournaments).

I don't believe playing g6 is the right idea against Jobava London because most of the game black is pretty much defending. It may be good over short time controls but over longer time controls it can be easily punished (Personal experience in tournaments).

@Shasi12345 said in #2:

I don't believe playing g6 is the right idea against Jobava London because most of the game black is pretty much defending. It may be good over short time controls but over longer time controls it can be easily punished (Personal experience in tournaments).
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I understand your concern, but I respectfully disagree. The ...g6 setup is not only playable but has been a well-established and respected option against the Jobava–London for years. I've played it extensively myself, both online and in classical time controls.

The idea that Black is “only defending” in these lines is, in my opinion, a common misunderstanding. Yes, White can initiate a kingside push with h4–h5, but Black is far from passive. In fact, as explained in the blog, Black often counterattacks through the center with c5 and sometimes followed by e5, challenging White's structure and creating real imbalances. In many cases, Black not only neutralizes the kingside pressure but gains active counterplay-often targeting the d4 pawn or expanding on the queenside.

You're right that it may not be to everyone's taste, and it can feel uncomfortable if you're unfamiliar with the dynamics. But that doesn't make it a bad setup. It's one of several legitimate responses Black can choose from.

At the end of the day, both sides have different ideas and that's what makes the Jobava so rich and enjoyable.

@Shasi12345 said in #2: > I don't believe playing g6 is the right idea against Jobava London because most of the game black is pretty much defending. It may be good over short time controls but over longer time controls it can be easily punished (Personal experience in tournaments). Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I understand your concern, but I respectfully disagree. The ...g6 setup is not only playable but has been a well-established and respected option against the Jobava–London for years. I've played it extensively myself, both online and in classical time controls. The idea that Black is “only defending” in these lines is, in my opinion, a common misunderstanding. Yes, White can initiate a kingside push with h4–h5, but Black is far from passive. In fact, as explained in the blog, Black often counterattacks through the center with c5 and sometimes followed by e5, challenging White's structure and creating real imbalances. In many cases, Black not only neutralizes the kingside pressure but gains active counterplay-often targeting the d4 pawn or expanding on the queenside. You're right that it may not be to everyone's taste, and it can feel uncomfortable if you're unfamiliar with the dynamics. But that doesn't make it a bad setup. It's one of several legitimate responses Black can choose from. At the end of the day, both sides have different ideas and that's what makes the Jobava so rich and enjoyable.

Absolutely love the Jobava London, thanks for putting this together.

Another line black can play after: 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 is Bb4 which seems to be the most popular in master games. I don't mind if the knight is taken and I get the doubled c-pawns but the positions after 4. .. Bb4 5. Bc3(this seems to be the wrong approach to me) c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bxc5 or alternatively 6. .. Nbd7 7. Ne2 Nxc5 lead to positions I don't particularly enjoy playing, not that it's bad but because they lead to slower, manoeuvring games.

Absolutely love the Jobava London, thanks for putting this together. Another line black can play after: 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 is Bb4 which seems to be the most popular in master games. I don't mind if the knight is taken and I get the doubled c-pawns but the positions after 4. .. Bb4 5. Bc3(this seems to be the wrong approach to me) c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bxc5 or alternatively 6. .. Nbd7 7. Ne2 Nxc5 lead to positions I don't particularly enjoy playing, not that it's bad but because they lead to slower, manoeuvring games.

@giantpinkwalrus said in #4:

Absolutely love the Jobava London, thanks for putting this together.

Another line black can play after: 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 is Bb4 which seems to be the most popular in master games. I don't mind if the knight is taken and I get the doubled c-pawns but the positions after 4. .. Bb4 5. Bc3(this seems to be the wrong approach to me) c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bxc5 or alternatively 6. .. Nbd7 7. Ne2 Nxc5 lead to positions I don't particularly enjoy playing, not that it's bad but because they lead to slower, manoeuvring games.

Thanks a lot for the comment! I really appreciated that you took the time, and I absolutely agree this is a very interesting line for Black.

You're totally right that taking on c3 is usually not a good idea for Black. Probably the most critical line after 4...Bb4 is indeed going for ...c5, then ...Nd7 or Nc6, and eventually capturing on c5.

From White’s side, I think ...Nbd7 Ne2 is slightly better than ....Nc6 Nf3 if you're aiming for a more dynamic setup. If Black takes on c5 with the knight, you can go for a3 and b4, and after trading off the bishop, recapture with the b-pawn to open the c-file that can give you some nice activity. If they take with the bishop instead, In that case, the main idea for White should be trying to go e4 , which can really shift the balance.

After ...Nc6, you can of course still aim for the e4 idea. It seems to be the only real way to open up the position. It may not have the fireworks of the usual Jobava lines, but it offers a good balance between structure and activity.

@giantpinkwalrus said in #4: > Absolutely love the Jobava London, thanks for putting this together. > > Another line black can play after: 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bf4 e6 4. e3 is Bb4 which seems to be the most popular in master games. I don't mind if the knight is taken and I get the doubled c-pawns but the positions after 4. .. Bb4 5. Bc3(this seems to be the wrong approach to me) c5 6. dxc5 Nc6 7. Nf3 Bxc5 or alternatively 6. .. Nbd7 7. Ne2 Nxc5 lead to positions I don't particularly enjoy playing, not that it's bad but because they lead to slower, manoeuvring games. Thanks a lot for the comment! I really appreciated that you took the time, and I absolutely agree this is a very interesting line for Black. You're totally right that taking on c3 is usually not a good idea for Black. Probably the most critical line after 4...Bb4 is indeed going for ...c5, then ...Nd7 or Nc6, and eventually capturing on c5. From White’s side, I think ...Nbd7 Ne2 is slightly better than ....Nc6 Nf3 if you're aiming for a more dynamic setup. If Black takes on c5 with the knight, you can go for a3 and b4, and after trading off the bishop, recapture with the b-pawn to open the c-file that can give you some nice activity. If they take with the bishop instead, In that case, the main idea for White should be trying to go e4 , which can really shift the balance. After ...Nc6, you can of course still aim for the e4 idea. It seems to be the only real way to open up the position. It may not have the fireworks of the usual Jobava lines, but it offers a good balance between structure and activity.

Been playing this online and OTB since 2022. There are some nice pitfalls in the Jobava London which Black can walk into with seemingly normal developping moves (related to the knight on b5) . I have lost count on how many people I have beaten in Blitz with the following or a similar sequence:

https://lichess.org/study/AjhjwP4a/6k1flNb0

Been playing this online and OTB since 2022. There are some nice pitfalls in the Jobava London which Black can walk into with seemingly normal developping moves (related to the knight on b5) . I have lost count on how many people I have beaten in Blitz with the following or a similar sequence: https://lichess.org/study/AjhjwP4a/6k1flNb0

@Geelse_zot said in #6:

Been playing this online and OTB since 2022. There are some nice pitfalls in the Jobava London which Black can walk into with seemingly normal developping moves (related to the knight on b5) . I have lost count on how many people I have beaten in Blitz with the following or a similar sequence:

I agree, this is a very well-known pattern, and indeed a lot of players walk straight into it. That’s why I always tell Black players "You can’t go on autopilot when playing against the Jobava. It may look simple, but there are plenty of traps. You’ve got good ideas as Black, but you need to stay cautious."

@Geelse_zot said in #6: > Been playing this online and OTB since 2022. There are some nice pitfalls in the Jobava London which Black can walk into with seemingly normal developping moves (related to the knight on b5) . I have lost count on how many people I have beaten in Blitz with the following or a similar sequence: I agree, this is a very well-known pattern, and indeed a lot of players walk straight into it. That’s why I always tell Black players "You can’t go on autopilot when playing against the Jobava. It may look simple, but there are plenty of traps. You’ve got good ideas as Black, but you need to stay cautious."

Nice blog!

The only drawback I find, is that from Black's perspective you suddenly choose for 6. Nf3 instead of 6. h5! (as you chose in the section from white's perspective)

So how to defend against 6. h5? (after 5...0-0) When you don't take this move into account, then you're indeed justified in saying 5... h5 might be too early, and indeed choose for 5...0-0. But what about 5...0-0 6. h5! (instead of 6. Nf3) then?

But otherwise, I enjoyed reading it very much!

Nice blog! The only drawback I find, is that from Black's perspective you suddenly choose for 6. Nf3 instead of 6. h5! (as you chose in the section from white's perspective) So how to defend against 6. h5? (after 5...0-0) When you don't take this move into account, then you're indeed justified in saying 5... h5 might be too early, and indeed choose for 5...0-0. But what about 5...0-0 6. h5! (instead of 6. Nf3) then? But otherwise, I enjoyed reading it very much!

@Rectify said in #8:

Nice blog!

The only drawback I find, is that from Black's perspective you suddenly choose for 6. Nf3 instead of 6. h5! (as you chose in the section from white's perspective)

So how to defend against 6. h5? (after 5...0-0) When you don't take this move into account, then you're indeed justified in saying 5... h5 might be too early, and indeed choose for 5...0-0. But what about 5...0-0 6. h5! (instead of 6. Nf3) then?

But otherwise, I enjoyed reading it very much!

Thanks for the thoughtful comment! You raise a fair point about 6. h5. The reason I didn’t give it separate treatment is that I don’t think it needs to be handled differently — essentially, we’ve already covered the ideas connected with h5 in the Nf3 line. In my view, Nf3 is the critical challenge for Black, whether it comes before or after h5. That’s why I recommend 6...c5 as a reliable response: it works well against both moves without needing to split them into separate cases.

@Rectify said in #8: > Nice blog! > > The only drawback I find, is that from Black's perspective you suddenly choose for 6. Nf3 instead of 6. h5! (as you chose in the section from white's perspective) > > So how to defend against 6. h5? (after 5...0-0) When you don't take this move into account, then you're indeed justified in saying 5... h5 might be too early, and indeed choose for 5...0-0. But what about 5...0-0 6. h5! (instead of 6. Nf3) then? > > But otherwise, I enjoyed reading it very much! Thanks for the thoughtful comment! You raise a fair point about 6. h5. The reason I didn’t give it separate treatment is that I don’t think it needs to be handled differently — essentially, we’ve already covered the ideas connected with h5 in the Nf3 line. In my view, Nf3 is the critical challenge for Black, whether it comes before or after h5. That’s why I recommend 6...c5 as a reliable response: it works well against both moves without needing to split them into separate cases.

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