The Poisoned Pawn Variation is a variation of the London System, catalogued as ECO D02. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Qb6 5. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the London System generally: A solid system for White with d4, Nf3, Bf4. Easy to learn with consistent plans.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 6 London System variations →
The Poisoned Pawn Variation goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Qb6 5. Nc3. It is a variation of the London System and is catalogued as ECO D02.
The Poisoned Pawn Variation is ECO D02. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the London System.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 d5 3. Bf4 c5 4. e3 Qb6 5. Nc3 at +0.22 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. White is ahead in development, with three minor pieces out to Black's one. It is Black to move.