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Queen's Pawn Game: London System: what to play after c5?
Best move
dxc5+0.27
By playing dxc5, you immediately challenge Black's central structure and win a pawn. This forces Black to spend time recovering the material, allowing you to seize the initiative…
- Games played
- 96K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.27
- Depth
- 22
Why dxc5 is the best move
dxc5! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 4 top moves — you found a winning strategy! While most humans (47%) instinctively play the solid c3, you chose the most precise engine-approved path.
Why this move is excellent: By playing dxc5, you immediately challenge Black's central structure and win a pawn. This forces Black to spend time recovering the material, allowing you to seize the initiative on the queenside.
Multiple Valid Strategies
This position is rich with options. You had four excellent ways to handle the pressure on d4:
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| dxc5 | +0.27 | Ambitious: Grabs material and opens lines for your pieces. |
| c3 | +0.23 | Solid: The "human" choice, reinforcing the center and blunting the g4. |
| Nbd2 | +0.21 | Developmental: Completes the minor piece setup before deciding the center. |
| Bb5+ | +0.21 | Forcing: Develops with tempo, forcing Black to block the check. |
Different paths, same destination: Whether you prefer the rock-solid stability of c3 or the concrete tactical nature of dxc5, White maintains a slight edge. Your choice shows a high level of tactical awareness, as many players are afraid to "give up" the center so early.
Your Continuation
After dxc5:
Nc6 Bb5 e6 b4 a5
White uses the extra pawn as a hook to expand with b4, creating a very uncomfortable situation for Black's queenside.
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That the pawn on c5 was undefended and that capturing it disrupts Black's development. You didn't fall for the "natural" urge to just defend; you looked for the most active response!
📚 Takeaway: When you have multiple good moves, trust your style. Today, your aggressive calculation paid off!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 96K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dxc5Engine pick | +0.27 | 0 | 49% | |
| c3 | +0.23 | 0 | 54% | |
| Nbd2 | +0.21 | 0 | 53% | |
| Bb5+ | +0.21 | 0 | 49% | |
| Be2 | +0.07 | 0 | 52% |
The line
More positions in the London System
All London System positions →Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Queen's Pawn Game: London System?
dxc5 (+0.27). By playing dxc5, you immediately challenge Black's central structure and win a pawn. This forces Black to spend time recovering the material, allowing you to seize the initiative…
Why is dxc5 the best move here?
By playing dxc5, you immediately challenge Black's central structure and win a pawn. This forces Black to spend time recovering the material, allowing you to seize the initiative on the queenside.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 96K times in the opening book.