Colle System

{{Infobox chess opening

|openingname = Colle System

|image =

{{Chess diagram

| | | | | | | |

| | | |pl| | | |

| | |pl|bl|pl|nl| |

|pl|pl| | | |pl|pl|pl

|rl|nl|bl|ql|kl| | |rl

|Basic Colle System structure for White. Common continuations include Nbd2 and 0-0.

}}

|moves = for White: d4, Nf3, e3, Bd3, c3

|ECO = D05

|nameorigin = Edgard Colle

|parentopening = Queen's Pawn Game,
Closed Game,
Zukertort Opening,
or Indian Defence

|AKA = Colle–Koltanowski System

}}

The Colle System, also known as the Colle–Koltanowski System, is a chess opening {{chessgloss|system}} for White, popularised in the 1920s by the Belgian master Edgard Colle and further developed by George Koltanowski.

The Colle is characterised by several moves. White's center pawns are {{chessgloss|developed}} to d4 and e3, the king's knight is developed to f3, the king's bishop is developed to d3, and the queen bishop's pawn (c-pawn) is developed to c3. Common continuations include development of the queen's knight to d2 (Nbd2) and {{chessgloss|kingside}} castling (0-0). A major theme of the Colle System is the ambition to play a well-timed e4, where the square is defended by the bishop on d3, the knight on d2 (following Nbd2), and possibly the rook on e1 (following 0-0 and Re1). Although sometimes described as a specific sequence of moves, the Colle System is not a fixed line of play, but rather a system for White where the moves may be permuted at the player's discretion. When a game opens with most or all of the above moves, to the exclusion of moves which typify other openings, the game may be described as "a Colle System".

Definition and assessment

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO) identifies the Colle System as an uncommon continuation of the Queen's Pawn Game, assigning it the code D05.{{efn|In the ECO, openings or continuations which are considered unorthodox are commonly treated in the beginning of a given section, receiving minimal elaboration. In contrast, common variations of standard openings receive significant theoretical treatment in the middle and latter parts of a given section. Volume D of the ECO, entailing codes D00–D99, is largely given over to variations of the Queen's Gambit (1.d4 d5 2.c4), a standard opening covering the range D06–D69. By contrast, the Colle System is identified under the heading D05 as one possible continuation of the symmetrical Queen's Pawn Game (or Closed Game) 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 2.e3 e6, receiving no further treatment. }} In the ECO, the Colle System is defined by the line 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 e6 4.Bd3 c5 5.c3.{{cite web |title=D05-Queen's pawn game |url=https://www.365chess.com/eco/D05_Queen's_pawn_game |website=365chess.com}} Paul van der Sterren gives an identical definition, with the same moves played in the same order.{{cite book |last=van der Sterren |first=Paul |title=Fundamental Chess Openings |publisher=Gambit |year=2009 |pages=54-55 |ISBN=9781906454135}} Other authors clarify that the system refers specifically to White's moves. Hooper and Whyld define the Colle as d4, Nf3, e3, Nbd2, c3 and Bd3 (in no particular order), including Nbd2 in their definition rather than noting it as a usual continuation.{{cite book |last1=Hooper |first1=David |authorlink1=David Vincent Hooper |last2=Whyld |first2=Kenneth |authorlink2=Kenneth Whyld |title=The Oxford Companion to Chess |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1996 |edition=2nd |origyear=First pub. 1992 |pages=86, 461–480 |isbn=0-19-280049-3 }}{{efn|In addition to their eponymous entry, Hooper & Whyld also described a specific line as the Colle System in their appendix of openings (No. 1309): 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.Nbd2 d5 4.e3 Nbd7 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3. If the continuation 5...Nbd7 6.Nbd2 is appended to the line given by the ECO and van der Sterren, the result is equivalent to the line given by Hooper & Whyld by transposition. }} Benjamin and Schiller give the broader, less specific definition 1.d4, 2.Nf3, 3.e3, although they also note that the immediate plan involves developing the "f1-bishop".{{cite book |last1=Benjamin |first1=Joel |authorlink1=Joel Benjamin |last2=Schiller |first2=Eric |authorlink2=Eric Schiller |title=Unorthodox Openings |publisher=Macmillan Publishing Company |year=1987 |pages=63-64 |ISBN=0-02-016590-0}}

John Nunn et al. regard the Colle as totally innocuous.John Nunn, Graham Burgess, John Emms, and Joe Gallagher. Nunn's Chess Openings. Everyman Publishers, London, 1999. While acknowledging the system's "innocuous" reputation and its "slow and solid" plan of development, Benjamin and Schiller recommended the Colle as a "good"Benjamin and Schiller, p. 9. example of an unorthodox opening, as opposed to a "bad"Benjamin and Schiller, p. 73. or "ugly"Benjamin and Schiller, p. 99. one. Together with Benjamin and Schiller, Hooper and Whyld also noted that the Colle is unfashionable in master play. Van der Sterren concurred with Benjamin and Schiller that the Colle is a fine opening "for those who want to keep the opening as simple as possible", and also echoed their remark that White's plan is to play e4 in the near future.

History

Colle and Koltanowski each won several tournaments in the 1920s and 1930s. Colle finished ahead of Tartakower, Euwe, and Rubinstein at various times.Rudel, David. Koltanowski-Phoenix Attack. Thinker Press. 2011. p. 84 {{ISBN|188871056X}} The opening had even been referred to as the "dreaded" Colle System.Reinfeld, Fred. The Immortal Games of Capablanca. Dover. 1970 p. 185 {{ISBN|0486263339}} George Koltanowski, in his book The Colle System, said it offered "solid development", combinations, and a decent endgame, giving White "good chances of not losing against a stronger player".Koltanowski, George. Colle System. 1980. Chess Enterprises, Inc. {{ISBN|0-931462-05-3}} Players like Capablanca and Tal found ways to take the sting out of some of its various lines, however. One such line that has been tested is 3...Bf5, sometimes called the "Anti-Colle".{{Cite web|url=https://chesstempo.com/gamedb/opening/1575|title = Queen Pawn Game Colle System Anti-Colle - Chess Opening}} Magnus Carlsen lost his only game with the white pieces during his five world championship matches, when he played the Colle-Zukertort System in game 8 of the World Chess Championship 2016 against Sergey Karjakin. The Colle was seen once again in world championship play in 2023, when Ding Liren successfully employed the system against Ian Nepomniachtchi in winning game 12 of the World Chess Championship 2023.{{cite web |last1=Rodgers |first1=Jack |title=Ding Swindles Nepomniachtchi In Chaotic Game 12, Evens Score With 2 Games Left |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/fide-world-chess-championship-2023-game-12 |website=chess.com |publisher=chess.com |access-date=27 April 2023}} Ding's compatriot Wei Yi also successfully used the Colle System in round 13 of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024, defeating Vidit Gujrathi on route to the playoffs, with Wei Yi eventually winning the Masters section of the tournament.{{Cite web |title=Wei Yi Wins 2024 Tata Steel Chess Masters In Thrilling Tiebreak |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/2024-tata-steel-chess-round-13 |access-date=2024-01-29 |publisher=Chess.com}}

Colle–Zukertort System

{{Chess diagram

| tleft

| | | | | | | |

| | | |pl| | | |

| |pl| |bl|pl|nl| |

|pl|bl|pl|nl| |pl|pl|pl

|rl| | |ql| |rl|kl|

|Colle–Zukertort formation

}}

One variation of the Colle is the Colle–Zukertort System (named after Johannes Zukertort), characterised by developing the dark-squared bishop on b2. The typical plan is: 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bd3 c5 5.b3 Nc6 6.0-0 Bd6 7.Bb2 0-0, where White, despite their apparently innocuous development, will eventually play for a kingside attack. This system has been frequently employed at grandmaster level by Artur Yusupov.

Games

A famous Colle System win featuring a slightly unusual Greek gift sacrifice is Colle–O'Hanlon, 1930.[http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1316498 Colle vs. O'Hanlon] Analysts have debated the theoretical soundness of this sacrifice for many years.

{{block indent|1=1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 e6 5.Bd3 Bd6 6.Nbd2 Nbd7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Re1 Re8 9.e4 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Nxe4 11.Bxe4 cxd4 12.Bxh7+ Kxh7 13.Ng5+ Kg6 14.h4 Rh8 15.Rxe6+ Nf6 16.h5+ Kh6 17.Rxd6 Qa5 18.Nxf7+ Kh7 19.Ng5+ Kg8 20.Qb3+ {{chessAN|1–0}} (Black resigns)}}

Black has a variety of approaches to counter the Colle System. One of the most dynamic is to aim for a Queen's Indian Defense setup. White's pawn {{chessgloss|push}} to e4 slashes at empty space, while Black's pieces are poised to undermine White's {{chessgloss|centre}} and attack the {{chessgloss|queenside}}. The technique is well-illustrated in the 1929 game between Colle and José Capablanca:[http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1036739 Colle vs. Capablanca]

{{block indent|1=1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 b6 3.e3 Bb7 4.Nbd2 e6 5.Bd3 c5 6.0-0 Nc6 7.c3 Be7 8.e4 cxd4 9.Nxd4 0-0 10.Qe2 Ne5 11.Bc2 Qc8 12.f4 Ba6 13.Qd1 Nc6 14.Rf3 g6 15.N2b3 Nxd4 16.Nxd4 Bb7 17.Qe2 Bc5 18.Rh3 Qc6 19.e5 Nd5 20.Qf2 Bxd4 21.cxd4 Rac8 22.Bd1 f6 23.Qh4 Rf7 24.Bf3 Qc4 25.Be3 Nxe3 26.Bxb7 Nf5 27.Qe1 Rc7 28.Be4 Qxd4+ 29.Kh1 fxe5 30.Bxf5 exf5 31.fxe5 Re7 32.Re3 Qxb2 33.e6 dxe6 34.Rxe6 Kf7 {{chessAN|0–1}} (White resigns)}}

Notes

References

Bibliography

{{Cite book

|last=Palliser|first=Richard

|year=2008

|title=Starting out: d-pawn attacks – The Colle-Zukertort, Barry and 150 Attacks

|publisher=Everyman Chess

|isbn = 978-1-85744-578-7

}}

{{Cite book

|last=Rudel|first=David

|year=2009

|title=Bxh7+

|publisher=Thinkers Press

|isbn = 978-1-888710-37-3

}}

{{Cite book