Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
14,152 games: White 42.9% / Draw 5.6% / Black 51.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 5,3525,352 | ||
| 3,3983,398 | ||
| 2,1892,189 | ||
| 2,1442,144 | ||
| 916916 | ||
| 142142 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.08 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Qd2 Qxc5 6. c4 Nf6 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Be2 b6 9. Rb1 d5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation (ECO A04, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Zukertort Opening: Sicilian Invitation, reached after 1. Nf3 c5 2. e3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. dxc5 Qa5+ (4 moves).
In 14,152 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.9%, Black 51.4% and 5.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. c3, in 38% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation
5. Nbd2 scores best for White: 49.5%, with White winning 46.6% and Black 47.7% of 2,144 games. The most played, 5. c3, scores 47.1% in 5,352 games, and 5. Nc3 scores lowest: 41.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Qd2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Colle System: Rhamphorhynchus Variation (A04)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/colle-system-rhamphorhynchus-variation