Baltic defence (London System reversed )

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Chris-tortilla
Hi. I love the London System so why not play in reverse as black?? Has anyone had some success with playing the Baltic. Obvious point is you are down one tempo but any other limitations or tips please ? X
Yigor

Here's imho the optimal line of the Baltic defense:

 

 

Do U like it while playing black ?!? tongue.png

poucin
Yigor a écrit :

Here's imho the optimal line of the Baltic defense:

 

 

Do U like it while playing black ?!?

ok but this is not how black is supposed to answer Qb3.

The problem with the Baltic, compared to London system, is that u have a problem with b7.

If u compare :

There are other ways to play it as white and as black, but at least if u want, no problem with b2

U can't prevent this in Baltic defence with Yigor's variation but u have then a dynamic way to counter it :

A real mess. Of course engines probably prefer white, but it is highly complicated, not sure so good for white. If u want to play something safe, well, forget the Baltic ^^

Chris-tortilla
Oh yeh see what you mean about Qb7. Annoying
Thanks a lot for the insight !
poucin

I should add that white can dissolve centre with cxd5 (on Bf5), while black cannot do it with London since d4 is protected by a pawn, not the case for d5

tmkroll

What about just cxd5 Bxb1 Qa4+ as recommend by Akobian? If the Queens are traded White will end up with a big center and the Bishop pair, c6 is maybe more complicated but still looks like a safe edge for White with a space advantage and the Bishop pair. Anyway it's not the tactical mess above.

tmkroll

https://youtu.be/IIwe_60O68I?t=66

Bramblyspam

I've played this twice, as white. Both times, black was busted after move 3. This is how the games went.



WCPetrosian

As IM poucin pointed out 3 Qb3 leads to a mess. A mess is hardly something the typical London player is seeking. I play the London and was very interested in making the Baltic work for me as black, but the positions looked so haywire to my eyes after 3 Qb3 I finally had to give up on it. I do play 2...Bf5 after 2 Nf3 though. I play the Tarrasch Defense against 2 c4.