Repertoire suggestions to avoid theory

It seems lots of folk on here are looking for repertoire options to avoid learning lots of theory and going into a competition of encyclopaedic regurgitation rather than ideas. I would be interested to hear anyones experiences in how they have avoided carrying around bags of theory and walked a non-theoretical path in their opening choices. It is something i have looked at quite a lot over the years, initially playing e4 and d4/c4 as white and sicilian/kings indian as black. Now my own repertoire consists of 2 repertoires as white featuring Anti Indian systems starting d4, Nf3 and unusual d4, c4 systems, although I have tinkered with b3 and f4 I am also interested in perhaps playing the Van Geet Nc3 as an occasional weapon. As black I tend to specialise in Nc6 systems, Nimzowitsch Defence with both e5 and d5, vs e4,Nf3 I play d6, d5, e5, e6 depending on mood really, Chigorin Defence and Tango as black vs d4,c4. 

Books that have interested me from a repertoire perspective 

1...d6 Move by Move... low maintenance and interesting repertoire based on d6,Nf6,c6 vs e4, d6,e5 vs d4,c4 and d6,Bg4 vs d4,Nf3 

Colle Move by Move... interesting fairly complete repertoire for white including some unusual system ideas like d4, Nf6, Nd2 which I enjoyed. 

Play 1...Nc6... interesting black repertoire book suggesting the original Nimzowitsch interpretation with d5 vs e4 and Chigorin Defence vs d4

The Dark Knight System... Great book with lots of original analysis, a true Nc6 book based on e5 and Dark Knight Pirc

The Modern Philidor/d6 Universal System... 2 great books that are very accessible and easy to use but don't lose out in the theory dept. The structure of Quick Repertoire, In Depth and Complete games in each chapter is great. Again, similar repertoire to the MBM d6 book. 

What are your suggestions?

I wouldn't suggest the "Ostrich in the Sand".  It's garbage.

A lot of what those books on offbeat lines say really isn't true when Black goes "offbeat" from the "offbeat" lines.

The Colle itself is fine if used properly, but trying to play this odd stuff just to avoid any additional theory is hogwash.

My suggestion, which entails a LOT LESS theory than going mainstream d4 openings, but involves a TAD MORE than what you might be looking to do (you get what you pay for, whether that be paying money or paying time), is to do the following, which would entail getting 3 books:

Open 1.d4 and now:

Against 1...f5, play the Dangerfield Attack, which is 2.Bf4.  DO NOT confuse this with the London System.  There is a book on the Dangerfield Attack against the Dutch (search for it on Amazon).  It's only 160 pages with fairly large print, so not too taxing.

Against 1...Nf6 or 1...d5, play 2.Nf3 and then:

Against 2...g6, play the Torre Attack (Torre Attack Move by Move by Palliser is excellent).  3.Bg5!

Against 2...d5, play the Colle (Colle Move by Move by Lakdawala)

Against 2...e6, pick whichever you prefer.  The Colle vs Queen's Indian lines, or the 2...e6 Torre, or play both!

DO NOT, HOWEVER, play Colle setups against Fianchetto defenses, like 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6, 3.e3 is NOT a good move, and don't play the Torre against early d5 setups, like 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5, here 3.Bg5 is no good because of 3...Ne4!! and Black has already equalized.

Only other thing you'd need is a system against the Modern Defense or Old Benoni (1...c5 or 1...Nf6 and 2...c5 with no c4 by White).  Play the Lines with d5 (don't play 3.c3 or 3.e3, gets you NADA) and then Nc3 (with no c4).  The c4 square is really useful for the f3-Knight via d2 to c4.  The other option is go with the dxc5 lines that the Colle book suggests, but DO NOT play 3.c3 or 3.e3 in response to 2...c5.

This should solve your problems for White.  A tad more than a single book, but not too taxing.  FAR LESS than going 1.d4/2.c4.

I have the Dangerfield book, well the one combined with KID rep, it is interesting for sure. I think the Ostrich in the Sand is better when you play Nf3 as Carlsen did in the Blitz Worlds, then either play a Geller System vs Pirc Modern or the b4 stuff which looks interesting I think. You're right Colle doesnt work too well vs g6 systems unless they go in for the sneaky Grunfeld and then the delayed e4 is ok I think, although MVL did play e3 vs KID if I recall and played it like a classical, pushing his queenside pawns through. How do you find the Bf5, Bg4 systems after e3 though? I haven't really enjoyed them. Good repertoire suggestion and not too far from some of my own rep tbh.

See, you mention these Bg4 and Bf5 systems in the same breath as the Colle.

That's part of what I'm saying.  I don't see the Colle as a viable system when Black hasn't closed the Bishop in with e6.

After 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.e3, then after something like 3...Bf5, there is nothing White can do but transpose to the "Slow Slav" after 4.c4 c6.  4.c3 is horrible there.

What I am driving at is using the Colle as an "All encompassing system" is a VERY BAD idea.  I say the same thing about the English Opening.  That Kosten book, that preaches "Ignore Black and play 1.c4, 2.g3, 3.Bg2, 4.Nc3" is a HORRIBLE strategy.  Marin better explains cases where you can't be "routine".  For example, if Black plays Nc6, White should play Nc3.  An example case is after 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6, here 3.Bg2 is NOT GOOD AT ALL because 3...f5! 4.Nf3 Nf6! and White has NADA, ZILCH, ZERO - Black has Equalized.  Instead, 1.c4 e5 2.g3 Nc6 3.Nc3! f5 4.Nf3! Nf6 5.d4! e4 6.Nh4!  This explains the problem with 3.Bg2, White can't do this if he has put the Bishop there! - Instead, White will entice g5 from Black, put the Knight then on g2, intending h4, and after a take or advance of the g-pawn, White has a beautiful outpost on f4!  The Bishop, despite going 2.g3, will be developed to e2 or d3, CLASSICALLY!!!!!

The same thing goes for the QP Openings:

The Colle is ONLY VIABLE with Black's Light-Squared Bishop BEHIND the pawn chain.  It's crap if the Bishop is out, hence why it's called the "Anti-Colle".  White should transpose to Slav systems with 4.c4 if Black brings the Bishop out!

The Torre is ONLY VIABLE when Black has not played an early ...d5 and has developed his Knight to f6.  So cases like 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 or 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6, this is when 3.Bg5 is viable.  After 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 d5, 3.Bg5?! is dubious at best.  Play 3.e3, and if 3...e6, go for the Colle, while if the Bishop comes out, Slow Slav systems or QGA lines if White takes on c4.

As for the weird systems, like the Ostrich in the Sand, I see it as there being a reason why GM's don't play it, yet they do occasionally play the Koltanowski or Zukertort!

 What's the Ostrich in the Sand?

One of the things that concerns me about the Jobava/Rapport system is after g6 isn't white just in a Barry attack? I thought that that system was under a little bit of a cloud, it was one of the reasons I walked away from the Killer Chess Opening Rep with Zukertort, 150 Attack and Barry Attack

There is no knight at f3, and in any case if you want to play out of book you shouldn't bother about "clouds". Or, in other terms, the best way to avoid theory is not reading theory.

of course!! I dunno though, I like finding systems that are rarely played or have been neglected 

Anyway, it's not a Barry attack, since white has no knight at f3 (yet).

For White I would recommend the modified Nimzo Larsen Attack wtih 1. Nf3 and 2. b3. Buy the Move By Move book on the Nimzo Larsen attack, and just ignore the theory about 1...e5. Stick to the second half of the book.

As for Black, I highly, highly, highly recommend the Scandinavian with 3...Qd8 after 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qd8

The play is simple. You want to exchange your light squared bishop, and then lock down the center and wait for White to impale himself on your solid structure. The mainline goes

White's only central break is to play d5, and he will need to move the Knight in order to play c4 first. If the Knight goes to e4, you will exchange on e4 followed by gaining a tempo on whatever piece recaptures on e4 by "reloading" the f6 square with your d7 Knight. Your position could look something like this.

Or, in positions where you have exchanged on e4,

Once you have reached this position, its time to find a middlegame plan. Typically, there are two. The first is to play Qc7 and Nd5, aiming to put one of the pieces on the f4 square.

The second, and my personal favorite, is to play Qb6, and put serious pressure on d4 and b2. This not only prevents him from pushing d5 and pressures d4, but it also makes the development of his c1 Bishop difficult, since it is pinned to the defense of the b2 pawn.

If it is at all possible for Black to exchange or even simply move his remaining Knight, he will put the Bishop on f6 to add further pressure to d4 and b2. Note that while this example shows Black having castled Queenside, Black can castle to whichever side he likes the majority of the time in all the variations.

I hope you go through this analysis of the Qd8 Scandinavian and find it useful. My USCF rating is 2058, and I thoroughly believe that this is the best easy-to-learn system against 1. e4.

Thanks Traxler! !

If you really want to avoid theory there is always chess 960. Play chess from move 1. 

jobava rapport system with f3 followed by an e4 break seems fine.

Yes I do play 960 but my local OTB league doesnt of course. Plus its hard to get live games on here in 960 even though I managed to get over 2000 in it