Eastern, Pteranodon
- 1.e4g6
- 2.d4Bg7
- 3.Nc3c5
- 4.dxc5Bxc3+
- 5.bxc3Qa5
332 games
A Pterodactyl Defense line where Black gives up the g7-bishop on c3 and plays ...Qa5 against White's doubled c-pawns; engines favor White.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Pteranodon
The Eastern Pteranodon arises when Black, after 3...c5 4. dxc5, surrenders the fianchettoed bishop with 4...Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 and follows with 5...Qa5, which hits both c3 and c5. For the moment White is a pawn up and holds the bishop pair, but the c-pawns are doubled and isolated. The most common reply, 6. Nf3, transposes to the Sicilian Pteranodon. The alternative 6. Qd4 covers both weak pawns and is the engine's first choice. Engines give White a clear advantage, although Lichess results are evenly split.