Theoria
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Pterodactyl Defense

Eastern, Benoni Pterodactyl

B06offbeataggressive

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.Nc3Bg7
  3. 3.e4c5
  4. 4.d5Qa5
104 games53%43%

A rare Pterodactyl Defense line in which Black meets White's space-gaining 4. d5 with 4...Qa5, pinning the c3-knight; engines favor White.

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About the Benoni Pterodactyl

This line arises from the Eastern Benoni form of the Pterodactyl. After White closes the long diagonal with 4. d5, Black replies 4...Qa5. With d2 still empty, the queen pins the knight on c3 to the king, and the bishop on g7 adds pressure on c3. White most often breaks the pin with 5. Bd2. The alternative 5. Nf3 leads to the Sicilian, Benoni Gambit branch. The line is seldom played, and engines rate White clearly better.

Popular continuations