Klick wrote on 11/08/05 at 05:45:14:

Sorry to interrupt sir but the links posted are not working ..Can you please fix it? 

I used to play the Colle as white after I read Purdy and Gary Lane.
However, the KID setup is quite strong (since the b1-h7 diag is not exactly 'weak') and it's a tough life against a prepared opponent.
But I think a logical, simple approach is best...you know, something a player like Capablanca would try.

Wait a minute...in 1929 Capablanca did face the Colle...literally.
The line recommended in a previous post is from Colle-Capablanca 1929 and that setup is still strong.

Although it might seem "passive" at first, it won't take long at all for black to take the initiative with a solid position.
And frankly, it's just not possible to be in the driver's seat as Black all the time.  Sometimes you need to play not based on any mood or pre-held preferences, but rather play the board.  If the board says, "stay solid and ye shall reap the full point" I think it wise to relax and wait a few move before crying 'Havoc!' and let slip the Dogs of War.  (come to think of it there's a fairly new book on the Colle called "Dogs of War").

So, try the KID setup if you want to mix-it-up a bit, but I really believe that Capablanca's approach is the best and its honestly the reason I never play the Colle in tournaments anymore.  Besides, suffocating an opponent in a boa crush (especially a 'White' one) can be at least as rewarding as a slash-and-smash king-side attack.  Especially when their king is perfectly safe and they own the kingside already.

Cheers.

If  you play 1...d5 or if you play the Nimzo/Queen's Indian complex then the following could help you.

1. d4 d5 
2. Nf3 e6 
3. e3 Nf6 
4. Bd3 b6
5. O-O Bb7
6. Nbd2 

(6. c4 dxc4 7. Bxc4 a6 {Is a fantastic system devised by Ivanchuk  vs White's 6.c4}) 

6...    c5 
7. c3 Nbd7
8. Qe2 Be7 
9. e4 dxe4 
10. Nxe4 O-O 
11. Rd1 Qc7 
12. Bg5 cxd4 
13. Nxd4 

(13. cxd4  Rac8 14. Rac1 Qb8) 

13... Rfe8

Is very comfortable for Black

"Queens indian type set up with Nf6,e6,b6,Bb7,etc and find that although solid lacks agressive ideas."
Not if Black manages to play Ne4 followed by f5, intending an attack with pieces later (Rf8-f6-h6).

The Colle structure with d4/e3/Nf3/Bd3 screams for a black setup with d6/e5/f5, as the e4-threat is highly unpleasant.

=>Play the Kings Indian or Dutch-Leningrad (my preference)