Theoria
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Pterodactyl Defense

Sicilian, Unpin

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  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3g6
  3. 3.d4Bg7
  4. 4.Nc3Qa5
  5. 5.Bd2
70 games39%57%

A Sicilian-move-order line of the Pterodactyl Defense where White meets the queen sortie to a5 with 5. Bd2, breaking the pin on the c3-knight.

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About the Unpin

The Unpin is a Sicilian route into the Pterodactyl Defense. White answers 4...Qa5 with 5. Bd2, placing the bishop between the c3-knight and the king so the knight is no longer pinned. Black most often replies 5...cxd4, removing the d4-pawn before White consolidates. The main alternative is 5...Qb6, which turns the queen toward b2. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, and Black has scored well in the small number of recorded games.

Popular continuations