user2307: The following is a position that frequently arises in my games when I play the London System as White:


  [FEN ""]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5



At this point I am unable to place my light-squared Bishop in its best square (d3) without allowing an exchange of Bishops which does not seem favorable to me as the White light squared Bishop is better than the Black (all White pawns in the center occupying black squares - especially after c3 which will also be played at some point).
Yet, when browsing the database at lichess.com the most frequent continution is 4. Bd3 which invites exactly such an exchange. I' ve toyed with ideas of Nf3 followed by Nh4 in an attempt to drive off the Black Bishop (or exchange him with my Knight) but without much success.
How should White approach this Bishop exchange? Should it be avoided and, if not, how does the London System plans (for White) change after the light squared Bishop is lost?

user12540: There are many solutions to this problem . 

The first thing is that I feel that you have a problem without the light square Bishop . You must learn to play with Bd3 and look for games in chessgames.com how white scores the rest of the game . Rather than an opening it is more of a psychological problem . Playing London from White does not necessarily mean you have to do a K-side attack . The exchange of light square bishop prohibits the K-side attack . You need to change your plans .
You can play c4 -c5 and then bring out the Bishop .When you play c4 then Black plays e6 in most occasions this cuts off the Bishop on Q-side . When c5 then b6 from Black White can take advantage and play Bb5+ with Queen on a5 putting some pressure . Knight can jump to e5 in next moves .
You can develop the Bishop on e2 and after Nf3,Ne5 you play g4 ,h4 .


user4418: The best way to deal with the "copycat" is to switch to the Queen's Gambit with c4 with the idea of following up at the right time with Qb3 to take advantage of the weakness on b7.

2307: <p>The following is a position that frequently arises in my games when I play the London System as White:</p>

<pre>
<code>
  [FEN ""]

1. d4 d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5

</code>
</pre>

<p>At this point I am unable to place my light-squared Bishop in its best square (d3) without allowing an exchange of Bishops which does not seem favorable to me as the White light squared Bishop is better than the Black (all White pawns in the center occupying black squares - especially after c3 which will also be played at some point).</p>

<p>Yet, when browsing the database at <a href="https://lichess.org/" rel="noreferrer">lichess.com</a> the most frequent continution is <code>4. Bd3</code> which invites exactly such an exchange. I' ve toyed with ideas of <code>Nf3</code> followed by <code>Nh4</code> in an attempt to drive off the Black Bishop (or exchange him with my Knight) but without much success.</p>

<p>How should White approach this Bishop exchange? Should it be avoided and, if not, how does the London System plans (for White) change after the light squared Bishop is lost?</p>
 12540: <p>There are many solutions to this problem . </p>

<ol>
<li>The first thing is that I feel that you have a problem without the light square Bishop . You must learn to play with Bd3 and look for games in chessgames.com how white scores the rest of the game . Rather than an opening it is more of a psychological problem . Playing London from White does not necessarily mean you have to do a K-side attack . The exchange of light square bishop prohibits the K-side attack . You need to change your plans .</li>
<li><p>You can play c4 -c5 and then bring out the Bishop .When you play c4 then Black plays e6 in most occasions this cuts off the Bishop on Q-side . When c5 then b6 from Black White can take advantage and play Bb5+ with Queen on a5 putting some pressure . Knight can jump to e5 in next moves .</p></li>
<li><p>You can develop the Bishop on e2 and after Nf3,Ne5 you play g4 ,h4 .</p></li>
</ol>
 4418: <p>The best way to deal with the "copycat" is to switch to the Queen's Gambit with c4 with the idea of following up at the right time with Qb3 to take advantage of the weakness on b7.</p>
