Chess lessons › Chess openings
The Colle System
Build with e3, Bd3, Nbd2 and c3, then push e4 at the right moment, and meet the Anti-Colle.
The idea
White builds with e3, Bd3, Nbd2 and c3, then breaks with e4.
- The push to e4 is the point, backed by the knight, bishop and rook.
- The knight on d2 supports e4, which is why it goes to d2.
- The bishop on c1 stays at home behind the pawn on e3.
In a game: Push e4 too early and ...dxe4 can fork the bishop on d3 and the knight on f3.
How the lesson begins
The Colle System is named after the Belgian master Edgard Colle. White sets up with d4, Nf3, e3 and Bd3, then Nbd2, castling and c3, and only then pushes e4 to open the centre.
The pawn on e3 shuts in the bishop on c1, which has only one move here. That is the price of the set-up. Among players rated 1200 to 1599 on Lichess, White scores 52% after 3.e3.
- 4. Bd3
Find the move
This is the Traditional Colle: Black has set up with ...e6, ...c5 and ...Nc6. White to move. Carry on with the set-up and do not push the e-pawn yet.
A hint
Bring out the last knight, or castle.
Show the answer
6. Nbd2
6.Nbd2 and 6.O-O are the engine’s best moves. A knight on d2 will support the pawn when it reaches e4.
In numbers
How often it is played
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Under 800 | Too few games |
| 800 to 1199 | 3.5 |
| 1200 to 1599 | 4.3 |
| 1600 to 1999 | 5.3 |
| 2000 and up | 4.9 |
How the games ended
White won 49%, 5% were drawn and Black won 46%, over 8,531 games that start this way, in a sample of rated Lichess games from 2026.