← Colle System

Practice: Anti-Colle (3...Bf5)

Dealing with Black's early Bf5

When Black develops the bishop to f5 early, White exchanges on d3 and uses the queen to put pressure on the center.

1. d4 d5
2. Nf3 Nf6
3. e3 Bf5
4. Bd3 Bxd3
5. Qxd3 e6
6. O-O c5
7. c3 Nc6
8. Nbd2 Bd6
9. dxc5 Bxc5
10. e4 dxe4
11. Nxe4 Nxe4
12. Qxe4 O-O
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White builds a solid pawn center with d4 and e3, supporting it with c3 and Nbd2
  • The light-squared bishop goes to d3, eyeing the h7 square
  • The typical attacking plan involves a kingside pawn storm with e4, and often sacrifices on h7

Common mistakes & traps

  • The Colle-Zukertort setup with b3 and Bb2 can catch Black off guard with pressure on the long diagonal
  • The classic Colle sacrifice on h7 (Bxh7+ Kxh7 Ng5+) leads to a devastating attack against an uncastled king

Pawn structure notes

White typically has pawns on d4, e3, and c3 forming a solid pyramid. The kingside is well-defended by the bishop on d3. After the e4 break, White often gets a strong center and kingside attacking chances.

Tips

  • Black's ...Bf5 is a common way to fight the Colle, threatening to exchange the Bd3
  • White exchanges on d3 and uses the queen's activity to compensate
  • The resulting positions are balanced but White has easy development

About this line

This line is rated beginner. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.