English Opening: Agincourt Defense (A13)

The Agincourt Defense is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A13. The line runs 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. e3 O-O, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

On the English Opening generally: A flexible opening where White controls the center with c4. Can transpose into many different systems.

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English Opening: Agincourt Defense — position after O-O h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. e3 O-O

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e6
2Nf3d5
3b3Nf6
4Bb2Be7
5e3O-O

ECO: A13

Stockfish: +0.16 at depth 18

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Related English Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Agincourt Defense?

The Agincourt Defense goes 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. e3 O-O. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A13.

What is the ECO code for the Agincourt Defense?

The Agincourt Defense is ECO A13. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.

Is the Agincourt Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. b3 Nf6 4. Bb2 Be7 5. e3 O-O at +0.16 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Agincourt Defense lead to?

Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.