London system position

So, i have been playing the London for quite a while, not only online but OTB.I had this game recently, and after Ba6 i had no clue how to continue.Any ideas anyone ?

But you continued so I dont really get the question?
Can you explain yourself?

I think question is more "How to play well from this position?" than "I literally cannot see how to make a legal move".

Bxa6 seems fine. I would try to not play c4, and rather just c3, 0-0 and either with Qe2 (tempo + prepare e4) or Ne5. You could also try to play a4-a5. If he goes c5 you just do not release the tension. If he takes on d4 you could take with the c-pawn and have an equal position, or with the e-pawn if you are more ambitious.

In this game Carlsen has played Ba6 too. Not the same structure however.



It seems that when black can exchange white squared bishops in the London System he has no problems any more. So, in your game maybe 7.Qe2 and if a5 then b3, idea c4.

yeah Ba6 is quite strong against the london, i think nikos recommends this plan many times in the london part of his 1..d5 book. i like @no_bullet_thanks suggestion but black should be totally fine

I like the London as well, but Stockfish keeps pummeling me after I WILLINGLY TRADE MY WHITE SQUARE BISHOP. Now I see what I've been doing wrong. Sidenote: I came up with the London system myself after playing AI games over and over again as White, then I learned it was actually a thing and quite a good one at that.

A trick of mine against notorious London fans which is even perfectly fine in otb games with classical time control:

1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6!? 3.Lf4 Ba6!

and then there‘s usually a longer break when you can get yourself a beer! :D

I play 2.Bf4 instead of 2.Nf3, so I don't have to deal with Ba6 'traps' as often, but as a recommendation, I would always develop your LSB last. For example, instead of playing 6.Be2, you could have gone 6. c3, 7. Nbd2, and only then play the bishop out.