Theoria
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Pterodactyl Defense

Sicilian, Anhanguera

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  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3g6
  3. 3.d4Bg7
  4. 4.Nc3Qa5
  5. 5.Be3
197 games40%55%

A Sicilian route into the Pterodactyl Defense in which White meets the early ...Qa5 by guarding d4 with 5. Be3 and keeps the central tension.

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About the Anhanguera

The Sicilian form of the Anhanguera arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 5. Be3. Instead of releasing the central tension, White uses the bishop to reinforce d4 against the c5-pawn and the g7-bishop. The knight on c3 stays pinned. Black most often continues 5...Nf6, and 5...Nc6 and 5...cxd4 are the main alternatives. Engine analysis gives White a slight edge, but Black has scored well in the comparatively few online games.

Popular continuations