English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense (A13)

The Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense is a variation of the English Opening, catalogued as ECO A13. The line runs 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7, 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. 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.

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English Opening: Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense — position after Be7 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1c4e6
2Nf3d5
3g3Nf6
4Bg2c5
5b3Nc6
6O-OBe7

ECO: A13

Stockfish: +0.15 at depth 18

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Related English Opening lines

Frequently asked questions

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

The Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense goes 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7. It is a variation of the English Opening and is catalogued as ECO A13.

What is the ECO code for the Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch Defense?

The Agincourt Defense, Tarrasch 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, Tarrasch Defense good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 e6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c5 5. b3 Nc6 6. O-O Be7 at +0.15 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, Tarrasch 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. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.