Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Pterodactyl Defense

Central, Benoni Pterodactyl

A40offbeataggressive

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.c4Bg7
  3. 3.e4c5
  4. 4.d5Qa5+
107 games48%50%

A rare Pterodactyl line in which Black meets White's space-gaining 4. d5 with an immediate queen check on a5, a provocative but dubious idea.

Train it in Theoria

About the Benoni Pterodactyl

The Benoni Pterodactyl arises when White meets ...c5 with 4. d5, gaining space and blunting the g7-bishop. Black gives the check 4...Qa5+ anyway, hoping to disrupt White's development before the center is consolidated. The usual answer is 5. Bd2, blocking with gain of time against the queen, while 5. Nc3 and 5. Qd2 are the alternatives. Engines assess the position as clearly better for White, and the line is rarely seen.

Popular continuations