Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Embedded Files
Colle System Guide for Adult Improvers (Under 1800)
Free Cheat Sheet & Repertoire
Master the Golden Rules, learn the ideal setup, and download the free 1-page PDF cheat sheet.
Master the Golden Rules, learn the ideal setup, and download the free 1-page PDF cheat sheet.
Interactive opening explorer for the Chessimple Colle system
Interactive opening explorer for the Chessimple Colle system
After going through this guide, watch this video to reinforce the principles you learned
After going through this guide, watch this video to reinforce the principles you learned
What is the Colle System?
What is the Colle System?
The Colle System is characterized by the setup in the diagram below. It was developed by the Belgian player Edgar Colle. George Koltanowski championed the Colle System and even used it when he set the world record for simultaneous blindfold games. In our Chessimple Colle system, we will be basing our play on the system he developed. The Chessimple Colle is designed specifically for players under 1800 for ease of memorization and effectiveness. It is fully expandable and playable beyond 1800 (Ding beat Nepo with it in a world championship match), but I recommend playing it the way presented here until you reach 1800.
The Ideal Setup & Core Pawn Structure
The Ideal Setup & Core Pawn Structure
The e and c pawns support the d pawn's claim in the center
The e and c pawns support the d pawn's claim in the center
The king's knight eyes e5 to prevent our opponent's e5 break
The king's knight eyes e5 to prevent our opponent's e5 break
The Queen's knight supports an e4 break
The Queen's knight supports an e4 break
The light square bishop supports an e4 break and eyes the h7 square for an attack!
The light square bishop supports an e4 break and eyes the h7 square for an attack!
The dark square bishop will spring to life after the e4 break
The dark square bishop will spring to life after the e4 break
The Golden Rules of the Colle
The Golden Rules of the Colle
Build the Pyramid and get castled before attacking!
Build the Pyramid and get castled before attacking!
First, set up the Colle Structure
First, set up the Colle Structure
We play d4, then Nf3, then e3, Bd3, Nbd2 and castle
We play d4, then Nf3, then e3, Bd3, Nbd2 and castle
We only play c3 if Black plays ...c5, putting pressure on our d pawn
We only play c3 if Black plays ...c5, putting pressure on our d pawn
Execute the e4 break as soon as it is safe to do so
Execute the e4 break as soon as it is safe to do so
The e4 pawn push is the trigger for our dynamic attack!
The e4 pawn push is the trigger for our dynamic attack!
Green light to push the pawn:
Green light to push the pawn:
You have completed your initial development (Nbd2, Bd3, and 0-0)*
Black has locked the pawn center by playing ..c5
Black plays passively on the queenside by fianchettoing (Bb7 etc.)
Red light to not push the pawn:
Red light to not push the pawn:
Black has heavy pressure on d4 and we do not have enough defenders to protect it (for example if black has Nc6, Qb6, c5 etc.)
* when we reach levels above 1800 we can consider playing Re1 and possibly Qe2 before breaking with e4, but up to 1800, it is easiest to bust with e4 as soon as possible and keep things simple
Play e5 if black allows it!
Play e5 if black allows it!
Push e5 when allowed!
Push e5 when allowed!
This opens the way for a kingside attack, unmasking the bishop's path to h7.
This opens the way for a kingside attack, unmasking the bishop's path to h7.
This is particularly strong when black has a knight on f6, as it chases the knight away from the defense of h7
This is particularly strong when black has a knight on f6, as it chases the knight away from the defense of h7
After the e4 break, look to attack on the Kingside!
After the e4 break, look to attack on the Kingside!
Always look for attacking opportunities! Greek gift sacrifices like this are very common in the colle.
Always look for attacking opportunities! Greek gift sacrifices like this are very common in the colle.
Common piece placements for attacking with the colle:
Common piece placements for attacking with the colle:
- The knight goes to e5
- The rook can be lifted to e3 and swung over to h3
- The queen can be brought from d1 or e2 to g4 or h5
Another attacking set up in the Colle
Another attacking set up in the Colle
- The rook lifts to f3 and swings over to h3
- The Queen goes from e1 to h4
- The Knight occupies e5
Here is an example of George Koltanowski, using the e5 square to create a blistering attack
Here is an example of George Koltanowski, using the e5 square to create a blistering attack
Handling Anti-Colle Responses
Handling Anti-Colle Responses
Black may play a quick ..Bf5 thinking they are clever.
Black may play a quick ..Bf5 thinking they are clever.
We simply play Bd3 anyway and if black captures our bishop, we take with the Queen
We simply play Bd3 anyway and if black captures our bishop, we take with the Queen
Note that black gave up protection of the b7 pawn when they played ..Bf5
Note that black gave up protection of the b7 pawn when they played ..Bf5
After QxB, the most common move by black is ...e6 allowing us to win a pawn with Qb5+
After QxB, the most common move by black is ...e6 allowing us to win a pawn with Qb5+
Our Queen has safe a square on a6 and black has no compensation for the pawn - you won't believe how often you get this position!
Our Queen has safe a square on a6 and black has no compensation for the pawn - you won't believe how often you get this position!
Watch this video for more information on the Anti-Colle
Watch this video for more information on the Anti-Colle
Facing quick bishop to g4 moves by black
Facing quick bishop to g4 moves by black
Black may play a quick Bg4 (perhaps even a move earlier)
Black may play a quick Bg4 (perhaps even a move earlier)
Once again, they have given up protection of the b7 pawn, so we will put pressure on it!
Once again, they have given up protection of the b7 pawn, so we will put pressure on it!
We meet early Bg4 moves with c4 followed by Qb3, tickling the b7 pawn
We meet early Bg4 moves with c4 followed by Qb3, tickling the b7 pawn
We play a quick c4 followed by Qb3, targeting b7
We play a quick c4 followed by Qb3, targeting b7
Black's most common response is ...b6 weakening their queenside light squares
Black's most common response is ...b6 weakening their queenside light squares
Facing Semi-Slav and Slav Setups
Facing Semi-Slav and Slav Setups
When Black plays a semi-slav setup against the colle, they are not putting pressure on our d pawn (they haven't played ...c5), so we do not need to play c3 to stabilize the center
When Black plays a semi-slav setup against the colle, they are not putting pressure on our d pawn (they haven't played ...c5), so we do not need to play c3 to stabilize the center
We can simply develop as normal and then play e4 with a good game and a bigger share of the center
We can simply develop as normal and then play e4 with a good game and a bigger share of the center
We can play e4 after we have reached our standard development of Bd3, Nbd2 and 0-0
We can play e4 after we have reached our standard development of Bd3, Nbd2 and 0-0
We can then grab more space and play c4
We can then grab more space and play c4
When black plays a slav setup, we play c4 followed by Qb3
When black plays a slav setup, we play c4 followed by Qb3
Once again, we target the b7 pawn that is no longer protected by black's light square bishop
Once again, we target the b7 pawn that is no longer protected by black's light square bishop
We want to induce our opponent to capture our queen in order to open our rook file.
We want to induce our opponent to capture our queen in order to open our rook file.
We can then push the b-pawn forward
We can then push the b-pawn forward
Watch this video for more information on facing slav and semi-slav setups
Watch this video for more information on facing slav and semi-slav setups
Facing Chigorin Setups
Facing Chigorin Setups
Black may play a Chigorin setup (Playing ...Nc6 before they have played ...c5). They are aiming for a quick ...e5 break
Black may play a Chigorin setup (Playing ...Nc6 before they have played ...c5). They are aiming for a quick ...e5 break
We respond with Bb5 followed by an immediate c4
We respond with Bb5 followed by an immediate c4
Bb5 removes the black knight's protection of e5, stopping the e5 break
Bb5 removes the black knight's protection of e5, stopping the e5 break
c4 puts pressure on black's center and black can no longer play ...c6 to stabilize the black center
c4 puts pressure on black's center and black can no longer play ...c6 to stabilize the black center
Watch this video for more information on facing Chigorin setups
Watch this video for more information on facing Chigorin setups
The absolute main line of our system
The absolute main line of our system
The mainline of our Colle
The mainline of our Colle
In the absolute main line, we play dxc5 before playing e4
In the absolute main line, we play dxc5 before playing e4
We end up with a 3 to 2 queenside pawn majority
We end up with a 3 to 2 queenside pawn majority
We have a 3:2 Queenside majority at the end of the main line.
We have a 3:2 Queenside majority at the end of the main line.
If all the pieces get traded off we get a favorable endgame
If all the pieces get traded off we get a favorable endgame
We aim to get to a final winning endgame position like this!
We aim to get to a final winning endgame position like this!
Watch this video for an instructive game illustrating the mainline and the key endgame principles
Watch this video for an instructive game illustrating the mainline and the key endgame principles
What to do when black fianchettos on the kingside
What to do when black fianchettos on the kingside
Our standard Colle Setup is not ideal against the kingside fianchetto defenses because our light square bishop bites into the fianchetto
Our standard Colle Setup is not ideal against the kingside fianchetto defenses because our light square bishop bites into the fianchetto
There are many possible approaches to combat these systems and one approach is outlined in the course PGN. You can use the interactive repertoire explorer at the top of this page to explore the approach I used in the PGN for the course. Another option is to transpose into a London System by playing Bf4 after black plays ..g6. Chessgoals.com has good material on this in their London System Course.
There are many possible approaches to combat these systems and one approach is outlined in the course PGN. You can use the interactive repertoire explorer at the top of this page to explore the approach I used in the PGN for the course. Another option is to transpose into a London System by playing Bf4 after black plays ..g6. Chessgoals.com has good material on this in their London System Course.
Below I will show yet another great option where we adopt a Colle Zukertort setup (as opposed to our Colle Koltanowski setup).
Below I will show yet another great option where we adopt a Colle Zukertort setup (as opposed to our Colle Koltanowski setup).
The Tartakower setup is effective against the King's Indian Defense.
The Tartakower setup is effective against the King's Indian Defense.
Note that we develop our light square bishop to e2 instead of d3 and we fianchetto our Dark square bishop on b2. The dark square bishop, d-pawn and kingside knight all clamp down on the e5 square. A main objective for the king's indian defense is to play ..e5 - this setup throws some sand in their gears!
Note that we develop our light square bishop to e2 instead of d3 and we fianchetto our Dark square bishop on b2. The dark square bishop, d-pawn and kingside knight all clamp down on the e5 square. A main objective for the king's indian defense is to play ..e5 - this setup throws some sand in their gears!
This video covers the Tartakower setup versus the King's indian defense as well as an approach against the Gruenfeld defense
This video covers the Tartakower setup versus the King's indian defense as well as an approach against the Gruenfeld defense
Another good approach against the King's Indian Defense is to use a London System setup. As soon as Black plays ..g6, we play Bf4!
Another good approach against the King's Indian Defense is to use a London System setup. As soon as Black plays ..g6, we play Bf4!
This also clamps down on the e5 square with 3 of our pieces. You won't believe how many players will insist on playing ..e5 and give us a free pawn!
This also clamps down on the e5 square with 3 of our pieces. You won't believe how many players will insist on playing ..e5 and give us a free pawn!
This approach is covered in this Chessgoals video - it is the approach I am personally using. Chessgoals has excellent opening courses for adult improvers and in fact I am using their Caro-Kann defense and Dynamic Slav defense.
This approach is covered in this Chessgoals video - it is the approach I am personally using. Chessgoals has excellent opening courses for adult improvers and in fact I am using their Caro-Kann defense and Dynamic Slav defense.
Test your knowledge with this final Quiz!
Test your knowledge with this final Quiz!
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