In the fianchetto variation I think c3 would do a better job of blunting Black's bishop on that diagonal. After c4 Black could try to open things up with c5 which would make that bishop more active.
In the shown position without the fianchetto Black could try Ne4 and after Qc2 or Rc1 Black could try the aggressive g5 and h5 coming after the London bishop. I haven't looked at this with an engine but it looks promising for Black.
White typically plays the London in order to reach a safe, solid position while retaining a few winning prospects. Since Black can break against d4 with the move c7-c5 quite readily, the safe and solid position for White's c-Pawn is on c3 instead of c4... solidifying White's central structure rather than allowing Black's c7-c5 break to open the center entirely.
Basically: if you like to put the c-Pawn on c4, then why are you playing the London in the first place? Wouldn't some other variation of the QP-game harmonize better with c2-c4?
c2-c3 is usually played as a response to black playing c7-c5. If black is less aggressive and goes for QGD or Slav setups then c2-c4 is fine.
An example: 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 was a popular line (can be reached from London) on GM level some 30 years ago. It’s perfectly playable, though Bf4 is considered less ambitious than Bg5 in most QGD variations, which means black can equalize without much effort. A possible explanation: while the DSB is comfortable on h2-b8 diagonal, it doesn’t put pressure on black, and white often has to waste a tempo on h2-h3 to prevent Nf6-h5.
Edit:
Regarding the first position you posted, c2-c4 is risky if black fianchettos his DSB. After 5. c4 O-O 6. Nc3 (6. cxd5 Nxd5 7. Bg3 c5 is worse) 6.. c5! white’s center is going to fall apart while the king is stuck in the middle. It’s a complicated position where pawns are less important than the initiative, which black seizes with c7-c5. Check chess.com’s opening explorer to for more info!
1st variation i wouldnt recommend, horse go too early on f3, way too early. id say d2 or e2 better move order. (at this point if opponent coming e6 then u move f3 up till then just develop queen side)
2nd variation, 4th move is not very good 4th move at that position should be b5 right away, important move.
Black doesn't have to fianchetto.
Hello,
I have been using the following system with white for a while now, but am curious if there is a reason that I'm doing something wrong. In general, I like to play some form of a queen's pawn opening, get my dark squared bishop out first, and control the center. My most recent example is this:
On my next move, it seems most logical to me to play c4, but most games I see played this way opt for c3 instead. To me, c4 makes a stronger claim at the center, allows you to put your knight on c3, and gives you the possibility of a tempo gain with your bishop if black takes the c4 pawn. I don't see a major downside to this move and am curious why fewer players use it.
Even in variations where black doesn't fianchetto his bishop and can pin the c3 knight, like below, I don't see a major downside.
I am not particularly bothered by this pin. To me, it is an overextension by black, and if black takes with the bishop my doubled pawn creates a nice file for my rook to sit on.
Can anyone give a good reason why c3 is better than c4 in this system?