You are looking for an opening with the following attributes:

1. easy to learn
2. extremely solid
3. full of poison
4. fascinating positions
5. relatively unknown
6. plenty of scope for own ideas

It is interesting to note that the London-System is very well known in amateur circles as White can reach a playable position after the opening phase without having to have a lot of theory knowledge. This fact alone underlines the solidity of the London-System.

As the system covers all variations after 1 .d4 d5 (lazy people can also use it against 1 ...Nf6), it must be regarded as a universal weapon. But if this system is so good, then why is it still so little-known?

I can only guess at the reason - probably the opinion established itself at higher levels that the London-System (LS) would not have enough bite to seriously endanger Black.

However, there are also a few people among the top grandmasters who think otherwise. Gata Kamsky for instance used the London-System with reasonable success and the London-System is very popular one or perhaps two steps lower down at the IM- to FM-level, as White can easily avoid long theory variations, forcing his opponent to play chess from the very beginning.

The much-praised solidity should not be mistaken for boredom as in truth the concept for a very dangerous kingside attack is inherent in the London-System. Numerous games have been decided in favour of White long before the 30th move just because Black underestimated the white set-up.