English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined (A14)

The Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A14. The line runs 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5, reaching the position shown below after 12 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 six moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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, Neo-Catalan Declined — position after c5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1Nf3d5
2g3Nf6
3Bg2e6
4O-OBe7
5c4O-O
6b3c5

ECO: A14

Stockfish: +0.16 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Position characteristics

Related English Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined?

The Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A14.

What is the ECO code for the Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined?

The Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined is ECO A14. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the English Opening.

Is the Agincourt Defense, Neo-Catalan Declined good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. c4 O-O 6. b3 c5 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, Neo-Catalan Declined 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. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.