The Traditional Variation is a variation of the Colle System, catalogued as ECO A04. The line runs 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Colle System generally: ECO A04. A chess opening with 3 known variations.
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See all 6 Colle System variations →
The Traditional Variation goes 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2. It is a variation of the Colle System and is catalogued as ECO A04.
The Traditional Variation is ECO A04. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Colle System.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Bd3 c5 5. c3 Nc6 6. Nbd2 at +0.15 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move.