Well then it appears that my next step will be the London! Assuming that I continue get better, I'll be able to play it for the rest of my life. Eventually I'll probably have to give up the Colle. But that time will be several hundred rating points away.

Hm, I've found the material where I should be able to find my Colle/Stonewall/London stuff. It'll take some time to put into the computer though and time unfortunately I do not have as I'm going on vacation to the Czech republic tomorrow morning.

*I still have to finish my 'list' which I started this morning and pack my bags. Not to mention perform a number of other duties before I can set off

Why would you have to give up the Colle?

If you play the c3-Colle, you might want to consider switching to the b3-Colle...but don't give it up. Keep the faith!

I'm not going to give it up any time soon. At my level it is still a useful opening. I plan to eventually try out the Zukertort. I just have to get a book or two on it before I try it out.

I was planning on picking up your book and the Dogs of War.

OK , I don't know the systems' names,
But I mean the line of c3 without making a finchetto

So silly question, but what's the point of the b3 (Zukertort) version?

I used to play the c3 version (I play 1. e4 now), and I understand the concept: White uses Nd2, Bd3, and sometimes Re1 and/or Qe2 to support the pawn push from e3 to e4. After black plays dxe4 white recaptures with the knight from d2 and gets an open line for the c1 bishop, so all 4 minor pieces are lined up against the black king side. The c3 move holds up the d4 pawn if attacked, so the emphasis is always on getting the pieces attacking the king side.

Given that, playing b3 doesn't make much sense to me. Do you play Bb2 and recapture on d4 with the bishop if black initiates a pawn trade at d4? Does the opening for white still revolve around preparing and playing the e4 move to attack the king side? Doesn't the bishop on b2 end up blocked in by its own pawn if black doesn't trade pawns on d4?

I'm just really big on understanding the big picture reasons for an opening, rather than just memorizing specific moves. I understand the big picture for the classic Colle, but not the Colle-Zukertort.

--Fromper

Fromper, that's an excellent question...and I had the same question years ago (back when I played the c3-version, known as the "Koltanowski" version). I liked how simple the c3-colle worked and it boggled my mind why anyone would want to put the Bishop on b2 of all places with the pawn on d4.

First, I'd refer you to the following excerpt from my book: Go to A Solid, Attacking Chess Opening for White - Excerpts and click on "Philosophy" it actually answers several questions you asked.

Secondly, it's very important to realize that these two systems are really very different. For some odd reason, they have been historically written about together [perhaps because hitherto people couldn't write a fully book on either one because the theory has developed so slowly due to lack of high-class play...or maybe it was just that the authors themselves didn't play the system much.]

The b3-colle is not about pushing your e-pawn. It's about building up K-side pressure in an environment where Black has trouble communicating between his K-side and Q-side.

The B/b2 is critical in keeping the center stable (which cuts down substantially on both Black's space and counterplay) in the early-middle game.

I hope that helps,
David

These are the most difficult lines for White to deal with.

A. 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 g6! (The Sneaky Gruendfeld).

Up until this year, no one had published the "antidote" to this line... the lines given in earlier colle books are quite dubious.

B. 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 c5!! (In my book, I wanted to call this "Satan," but my publisher didn't like it.)

C. 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5 (but you have to be willing to play against several decent replies.)

If you don't like any of those, there are plenty of decent lines for Black in the c3-Colle, I think Silman gives a fair amount of analysis on his review of "The Ultimate Colle" by Lane.

Harrrpo,

The c3 Colle is the Koltanowski.

As I said, the KID ought to do the trick.

Perhaps Perseus will have a better answer.

The issue with using the KID is that any decent Colle system player will know to switch to a different opening.
That's what makes the 3 lines I states particularly difficult, the Colle player has already hemmed in his B/c1 with e3.