With millions of memes dissing the opening, the perfectly fine London fell into public disgrace. Play 2.Bf4, and you'll be instantly judged by everyone around you—including those who play the Reversed London Slav Defenses as Black. Meme all you want, but it's time you everyone around you—including those who play the Reversed London face the cold, hard truth. The London is the best opening in chess, and I dare you to prove me wrong.
Apparently, everybody loves the London, and that's why everybody hates it.
Very paradoxical, so let me explain. London haters claim they can't hit
Play without being transported into the chess version of a toothpaste
commercial—"nine out of 10 players use the London."
This seems like a reasonable argument. Ever since world champion Magnus
Carlsen popularized the opening, it looks like everybody wants to emulate
him. And who can blame them? After all, who wouldn't want to play like the
guy who beat none other than GM Ding Liren in 24 moves like it was
nothing?