Course completed: The Killer Colle-Zukertort System

I just completed the Chessable course "The Killer Colle-Zukertort System" by IM Richard Palliser (opening theoretician/writer) and GM Simon Williams (video presenter); I did not purchase the full video version. Despite some of the promotional hype elements - including the ferocious tiger image (evoking "animal" openings) and the promise of an "automatic" and "undodgeable attack" - a close read of the linked description is fair, in terms of what the course delivers. 

It should be read closely, though, since as it states it is "A complete 1.d4 d5 repertoire for White" - leaving out the King's Indian most noticeably, although some suggestions are made about what to do versus the Dutch and other less frequently seen Black defenses. It does include the Grunfeld and Queen's Indian setups and what to do against early ...c5 or "Bishop Out" moves, which do not follow the main line 8-move sequence. It therefore is not a "system opening" despite it being referred to as that by GM Williams at one point; see the Variation Details list at the end for the full contents.

For an improving player, I found the presentation and contents almost a perfect match for learning requirements. I've been a fan of IM Palliser's analysis and style, including the "Dangerous Weapons" series, which balances new ideas with honest analysis about the trade-offs and risks involved in using the chosen variations. There is a also a hefty dose of content on how to exploit various common errors by Black, usually leading to similar types of tactical punishments by White in the main line setup; bishop sacrifices on h7 feature prominently, along with deadly h-file attacks. It's not all kingside attacks all the time, however, as central play with a timely c2-c4 or seizing queenside space with the b-pawn are also thematic ideas. The course's constant referencing of early middlegame ideas and plans, especially for where the pieces should be placed, is a welcome feature too often neglected by opening theory books, and is especially valuable for Class players learning the opening for the first time.

I'll finally highlight the Thematic Tactics and Model Games sections as effective for learning purposes. All of the material appears earlier in the course, but having it concentrated at the end to review common tactical themes is particularly useful, along with the more in-depth analysis of each of the eight model games, showing alternative ways to play that aren't just the first dozen or so opening moves. The course content is therefore woven together well throughout the material. There's a lot of it, though, and only a few shortcuts that can be made in terms of not learning particular variations. Realistically it's more of a reference work for the opening that the player can return to again and again, through analyzing training and tournament games, rather than an "easy fix" system opening, even if the main line core is an excellent starting place.

Variation Details

Introduction (1 variation)

Killer Colle Strategies (10 variations)

Quickstarter Guide (35 variations, 9.7 avg. trainable depth)

1) ...Nc6 / …Be7 Setup with …cxd4 (14 variations, 13.5 avg. trainable depth)

2) ...Nc6 / …Be7 Setup without …cxd4 (16 variations, 14.9 avg. trainable depth)

3) ...Nc6 / …Bd6 Setup with ...cxd4 (18 variations, 14.6 avg. trainable depth)

4) ...Nc6 / …Bd6 Setup without ...cxd4 (31 variations, 16.5 avg. trainable depth)

5) ...Nbd7 / ...Bd6 Setup (23 variations, 15.4 avg. trainable depth)

6) ...Nbd7 / ...Be7 Setup (11 variations, 13.7 avg. trainable depth)

7) The Delayed ...c5 Setup (17 variations, 12.4 avg. trainable depth)

8) Rare Setups (Early ...Ne4 & ...Qa5) (14 variations, 11.5 avg. trainable depth)

9) 3rd Moves: Bishop Out (3...Bg4 & 3...Bf5) (20 variations, 9.4 avg. trainable depth)

10) 3rd Moves: Grunfeld Setup (3...g6) (7 variations, 12.3 avg. trainable depth)

11) 3rd Moves: The Early ...c5 Setup (3...c5) (21 variations, 13.6 avg. trainable depth)

12) 2nd Moves: Bishop Out (2...Bg4 or 2...Bf5) (14 variations, 9.2 avg. trainable depth)

13) 2nd Moves: Chigorin Setup (2...Nc6) (8 variations, 9.5 avg. trainable depth)

14) 2nd Moves: Rare Tries (2...e6 & 2...c5) (12 variations, 10.3 avg. trainable depth)

15) Queen's Indian Setup: Early Deviations (7 variations, 9.6 avg. trainable depth)

16) Queen's Indian Setup with ...cxd4 (7 variations, 16.1 avg. trainable depth)

17) Queen's Indian Setup without ...cxd4 (7 variations, 14.1 avg. trainable depth)

18) Completing Your Colle Repertoire (8 variations, 6.7 avg. trainable depth)

Thematic Tactics (20 variations, 5.1 avg. trainable depth)

Model Games (8 variations)