New opening: 1. d4 2. c6 Bf4!?

I have taken the liberty of starting the analysis of a new opening that should be perfect for players that play the London System.

This move has several advantages:

1. This is a very rare move.

2. Unlike other moves that would be rare so early in the game, this move is not dubious at all.

3. Playing this against players that are known to play c6 against d4 will surely lead to positions that White is more comfortable in.

I have spent the whole night analysing the first two of what I think are blacks most common responses. I plan to add to the study at a later date. All move suggestions given have been checked over with a computer and are often both simple and strong moves (that even I can understand).

As a disclaimer, I understand I am much lower rated than many others on the site, so feel free to check over the analysis and give your opinion on the positions.

If anyone decides to play this move, I'd love to know how your games go.

not bad! however, one can easily argue that this isn't a novel concept.
in most cases, you will just transpose to lines from the actual london (d4 d5 Bf4 c6). that said, you do give black the opportunity to try some independent lines that are not very good, and that's a good thing. however, even these independent lines are full of london motifs and possible transpositions back to london lines.

that and the fact that you will mostly transpose to the actual london means that you don't really have much "surprise value" at all (besides the fact that d4 c6 is a rare move order to begin with).
so, i'd just call this a branch of the london system. but eh, studying these lines can't be bad for your chess. (or can it? some london haters would disagree..)

@cheddarman1 I would suggest a better way to exploit this move order is with Nc3 and Bf4, the "Jobava-Prie". The Slav-style setups against it are already hard to play, and wasting a tempo with c6 preventing c5 makes it even more problematic for black. Black should probably play 1.d4 c6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4 Nf6 4.e3 g6 followed by Bg7.

@Rise Completely agree with your thoughts, it can and seems like it often will branch into London-like lines, but if you are a London player already then this might appeal to you more if you're preparing against a Caro-Kann. 1. d4 c6 is somewhat rare, but as a strictly d4 player myself, I certainly face it often enough. All in all, it really is about taking some opponents out of their comfort zone and potentially having great time-burning capabilities with a move that is completely sound.

@soni777new The new Nc3 system does seem interesting enough and does also seem like a viable option. The line you mention seems fine for black, but I rarely play Nc3 without c4 first myself. What I have analysed really is a way of playing that I am comfortable with, for sure, and I expect other London 2. Bf4 players to be comfortable with too.

Playing ...c6 in nice but often playing ...c5 in one go is nicer.

Huh, I like 1. d4 c6 2. Bf4!? as a way to dodge Slav theory. Very nice!

Actually, its called the Mason Attack.

@superchessmachine When there is a pawn on d5, yes.