Colle: 3...e6 4.Nbd2

Colle: 3...e6 4.Nbd2

Definition

The phrase “Colle: 3…e6 4.Nbd2” refers to a particular tabiya of the Colle System, an opening for White that arises after the moves

1. d4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. e3 e6 4. Nbd2.

By playing e3 followed by Nbd2, White adopts the classical Colle set-up. The plan is to finish development with Bd3, O-O, c3 and prepare the thematic pawn break e3–e4 against Black’s Queen’s-Pawn formations.

Move Order & Basic Position

After 4.Nbd2 the pieces are placed as follows (from White’s perspective):

• White pawns: d4, e3
• White knights: f3, d2
• Black pawns: d5, e6
• Black knights: f6

All other pieces remain on their original squares. The position is flexible, allowing both sides a variety of set-ups.

Strategic Ideas

• White’s main plan:
  • Develop with Bd3, O-O, c3.
  • Push e4 to seize central space.
  • After the break, use piece activity for kingside attacks (often involving a rook lift Rf1–e1–e3–h3).
• Black’s counter-plans:
  • Challenge the center early with …c5 or the solid …Nbd7 …c5.
  • Fianchetto with …b6 …Bb7 (Queen’s-Indian style).
  • Adopt a Stonewall structure with …f5, clamping the e4-square.

Historical Notes

The opening is named after Belgian master Edgard Colle (1897-1932), who scored spectacular victories with the set-up in the 1920s. Colle’s famous brilliancy against O’Hanlon, Nice 1930 is still cited in textbooks.

The line fell out of top-level fashion after the 1930s but enjoyed revivals by strong grandmasters such as Artur Yusupov, Vladimir Kramnik, Alexei Shirov and, more recently, by Magnus Carlsen as a practical surprise weapon.

Illustrative Game

Colle – O’Hanlon, Nice 1930 (condensed):

After 15 moves Colle’s pieces flooded the kingside, culminating in a classic mating attack often shown to beginners studying the system.

Common Plans for Both Sides

• Typical White piece placement: Bd3, Re1, Nbd2-f1-g3 or Nbd2-e5, queen on e2 or c2.
• Typical Black set-ups:
  1. Classical: …Be7, …O-O, …c5, …Nc6.
  2. Queen’s-Indian: …b6, …Bb7, …c5.
  3. Stonewall: …f5, …Bd6, …c6, aiming at e4.
• Key break points:
  • White: e4 and sometimes c4.
  • Black: c5, e5 or f6-f5.

Tactics & Traps

Because the Colle often features a locked pawn center, piece play becomes tactical once the e4 break is executed.

• Colle “Greek Gift” motif: After …O-O, Bd3xh7+ sacrifices frequently appear if Black’s knight is on f6 and the queen can swing to h5.
• e4-e5 pawn wedge: When Black meets e4 with …dxe4, White recaptures with the knight and sometimes follows with Ng5 and Qh5 menacing mate on h7.

Interesting Facts

• Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen used the Colle (with 4.Nbd2) to beat Yu Yangyi at the 2019 GCT Croatia blitz, demonstrating its viability at the highest level.
• The system is popular at club level because its plans are easy to learn yet difficult for an unprepared opponent to refute over-the-board.
• Many instructional books nickname the formation a “System Opening” since White can reach it against countless Black replies without heavy theory.

Further Study

Recommended resources include:

• The Colle: Move by Move by Cyrus Lakdawala
• GM Simon Williams’ video series on the Colle–Zukertort, highlighting modern updates.
• Scanning grandmaster practice from 2000-2023 using the filter shows a steady uptick in its adoption as a surprise weapon.

Mastering the ideas behind 3…e6 4.Nbd2 gives any player an effective, strategically coherent repertoire choice against …d5 lines while avoiding heavy memorisation.