Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System (D05)

The Colle System is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game, catalogued as ECO D05. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nbd2 d5, reaching the position shown below after 16 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 four minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

On the Queen's Pawn Game generally: General term for openings beginning with 1.d4. Leads to strategic, positional play.

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Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System — position after d5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nbd2 d5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1d4Nf6
2Nf3e6
3e3b6
4Bd3Bb7
5O-Oc5
6b3Be7
7Bb2O-O
8Nbd2d5

ECO: D05

Stockfish: +0.25 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Queen's Pawn Game lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Colle System?

The Colle System goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nbd2 d5. It is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game and is catalogued as ECO D05.

What is the ECO code for the Colle System?

The Colle System is ECO D05. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Queen's Pawn Game.

Is the Colle System good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. e3 b6 4. Bd3 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. b3 Be7 7. Bb2 O-O 8. Nbd2 d5 at +0.25 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.

What kind of position does the Colle System lead to?

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 four minor pieces each. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.