Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Pterodactyl Defense

Fianchetto, Queen Benoni Pterodactyl

A40offbeataggressive

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.c4Bg7
  3. 3.Nc3c5
  4. 4.d5Qa5
182 games51%46%

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

Train it in Theoria

About the Queen Benoni Pterodactyl

The Queen Benoni Pterodactyl arises when White meets the Fianchetto move order 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 with 4. d5, gaining space in Benoni fashion, and Black answers 4...Qa5. Because d2 is empty, the queen pins the c3-knight, and the g7-bishop adds pressure along the long diagonal. Breaking the pin with 5. Bd2 is by far the most common reply, with 5. Qc2 and 5. e4 as alternatives. Engines give White a clear advantage, and the line is rarely played.

Popular continuations