Chess Openings Lab
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Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian Variation

The Colle System, King's Indian Variation is 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Bd3 d6, a modest Colle setup facing a King's Indian fianchetto. White castles and prepares e4 for space, while Black wants ...O-O and a ...c5 or ...e5 break against d4.

Moves
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Bd3 d6
ECO
A48
Engine
+0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
841 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Castle, then push e4 with the d3 bishop already behind it; after ...c5 the advance d5 gains space, as in the top line.
  • Play h3 and c3 to secure the center, then e4 behind a well-supported d4 pawn.
  • Use a4 and a5 against ...d5 setups to gain queenside space, as the third engine line shows.

Black

  • Castle, then hit d4 with ...c5; if White pushes d5, ...e6 attacks the pawn and opens lines.
  • Prepare ...e5 with ...Nc6, so the g7 bishop's diagonal opens when the center pawns are traded.
  • If White is slow to push e4, ...d5 stops it for good and blunts the d3 bishop.

Plans and pawn structure

White's Colle pieces point at the kingside, but the main plan is the e4 push for space. If Black answers with ...c5 and White goes d5, the game turns into a Benoni-like structure where c4 adds support. Black's long diagonal pressure from g7 grows whenever d4 is traded, so ...c5 and ...e5 are the key breaks. In the ...d5 lines the center locks and both sides play on the wings, White with a4 and a5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.24 5.O-O O-O 6.e4 c5 7.d5 e6
  2. +0.15 5.h3 O-O 6.O-O Nc6 7.c3 e5
  3. +0.10 5.c3 d5 6.O-O O-O 7.a4 Nc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

841 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.1%.

under 120049.4%
1200–159945.0%
1600–199946.5%
2000 and up55.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, castle at once and then aim for e4 with the bishop on d3 already supporting it. If Black plays ...c5, consider d5 for space rather than letting the c-pawn trade on d4. Don't play e4 before castling when ...e5 or ...c5 can open the center with your king still on e1.

Questions

What are the moves of the Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian Variation?

The Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian Variation starts 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.e3 Bg7 4.Bd3 d6. Its ECO code is A48.

Is the Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 841 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.1%. A low-theory system for White players who like simple setups, but Black's King's Indian pieces give easy, active counterplay.

What is the main idea of the Indian Defense: Colle System, King's Indian Variation?

White sets up a calm Colle and aims for e4 after castling. Black keeps a King's Indian fianchetto and counters with ...c5 or ...e5 to make the g7 bishop count against d4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is O-O, with h3 and c3 close behind. 5.O-O gets the king safe first, so e4 can follow without central tactics against the king.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.