Chessy
Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System, Anti-Colle for Black
After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5, you reach a position where White is to move and you already have a clear setup as Black. The engine gives +0.25, a small edge for White, so this is not a line where you can relax. Your job in the drill is to stay accurate, meet White’s most common plans, and know when the best reaction is to strike with c4. The position is practical, popular, and easy to misplay if you let White build smoothly.
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Create a free account →What the position is really about
This is a Colle System Anti-Colle position where Black has developed the bishop early to f5. The idea is simple: you want active piece play before White can settle into a comfortable structure. White still has the move, but Black is already ready to answer central expansion and piece development.
The engine’s best move here is c4, continuing c4 c6 Nc3 e6. That tells you what matters most: White’s central play can become immediate, and you need to know the right response instead of drifting into a passive position.
What the numbers say
The position has been reached in 1,596,889 games, so this is a very real practical battleground rather than a rare sideline. White wins 48.1%, draws 4.4%, and Black wins 47.5%. Those results are close, but the evaluation still leans a little toward White.
Stockfish rates this +0.25, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here, so your goal is not to equalise by force every time; it is to stay active, keep your pieces coordinated, and avoid giving White an easy hand.
White’s most common tries
The most played continuation is Bd3, with 582,716 games and White scoring 49.2%. c4 is also very common, with 350,080 games and White scoring 49.6%. Be2 appears in 134,618 games with White scoring 47.7%, while Nc3 shows up in 113,366 games with White scoring 43.6%. Nbd2 follows in 103,122 games with White scoring 47.4%, and a3 appears in 60,720 games with White scoring 50.3%.
For you as Black, the practical lesson is to expect White to develop naturally and then challenge the centre. You should be ready for both direct central play and slower build-ups.
The one mistake to know
Nc3 is listed as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns; better was c4. That is useful because it tells you which plan is less precise and which one is the more principled challenge.
When White plays Nc3, do not assume the move is dangerous just because it develops a piece. The main thing is that White has chosen a less accurate route, and your task is to meet it cleanly rather than helping White recover the initiative.
How to handle this in the drill
In this structure, think in simple terms:
- stay active with your pieces
- watch White’s central pawn play carefully
- do not drift into a slow, passive setup
- be ready for c4 as the critical test
The best way to learn this opening is to recognise the tabiya quickly and respond confidently. If you know the main engine move and the most common continuations, you will be much harder to surprise over the board.
Results across 1,596,889 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bd3 | 582,716 | 49.2% |
| c4 | 350,080 | 49.6% |
| Be2 | 134,618 | 47.7% |
| Nc3 | 113,366 | 43.6% |
| Nbd2 | 103,122 | 47.4% |
| a3 | 60,720 | 50.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What opening is this for Black?
This is the Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System, Anti-Colle, with the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3 Bf5. You are Black in the resulting position, and White is to move.
Is this line good for Black?
The position is slightly better for White. Stockfish gives +0.25, so you are a little worse, but the game is still very playable and the results are close.
What is the best move for White here?
The engine’s best move is c4, continuing c4 c6 Nc3 e6. That is the most important move to understand when preparing your defence.
What should I watch out for most?
Nc3 is the known mistake in this position and loses about 0.6 pawns. White’s other common plans are more serious, so you should be ready for direct central play and normal development.
How many games feature the Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System, Anti-Colle?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Queen's Pawn Game: Colle System, Anti-Colle position. White wins 48.1%, Black wins 47.5%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.