Robert Ris: The menacing Colle & Zukertort System for the Club Player!

by ChessBase
10/15/2025 – The Colle and Zukertort Systems offer White a simple yet powerful setup with d4–Nf3–e3–Bd3, aiming for rapid development and a strong kingside attack. The Colle-Koltanowski focuses on c3 and e4, while the Zukertort System employs b3 and a fianchettoed bishop for added strategic depth. Easy to learn and highly effective for club players, this course teaches key sacrifices, maneuvers, and attacking ideas through classical and modern grandmaster games.
With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
One of the simplest openings for White to learn, and one of the most frustrating ones for Black to face! With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: e4-e5 attacking ideas

The menacing Colle & Zukertort System for the Club Player!

by Robert Ris

One of the simplest openings for White to learn, and one of the most frustrating ones for Black to face! With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!

Free sample video: Introduction

Free sample video: e4-e5 attacking ideas

In this course, two main setups are explained in detail. The Colle-Koltanowski, named after Edgard Colle and George Koltanowski - who developed the system in the 1920s, is based on the move c2-c3 followed by Nbd2 and the pawn break e3-e4. The alternative approach with b2-b3 and fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop is called the Zukertort System and contains much more venom than one may think at first!

Both systems are very easy to learn, and hence, a favorite among club players. No learning loads of opening theory, just a simple game plan to go quickly for the kill! Whichever setup you pick: White’s position has a strong foundation, no weaknesses and a firm grip over the centre so we are ready to rock & roll!

In this course, all the thematic sacrifices, manoeuvres and other attacking motifs are illustrated by classical games from the past and recent top grandmasters encounters alike!

Running time: 5 hours 41 minutes

With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
One of the simplest openings for White to learn, and one of the most frustrating ones for Black to face! With the moves d4-Nf3-e3-Bd3 White aims for simple piece development and to slowly build up a devastating attack on the kingside!
Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: e4-e5 attacking ideas

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