English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Catalan Defense (A13)

The Agincourt Defense, Catalan Defense is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A13. The line runs 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O, reaching the position shown below after 9 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 Black to move after five moves. White has castled while Black’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.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Catalan Defense — position after O-O a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e6
2Nf3d5
3g3b6
4Bg2Bb7
5O-O

ECO: A13

Stockfish: +0.17 at depth 18

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Related English Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Agincourt Defense, Catalan Defense?

The Agincourt Defense, Catalan Defense goes 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. 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, Catalan Defense?

The Agincourt Defense, Catalan 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, Catalan Defense good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 b6 4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O at +0.17 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, Catalan 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 Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.